Rio Ferdinand has expressed his full support for David Beckham's recent knighthood, describing his former Manchester United teammate as wholly deserving of the honour. Beckham, 50, was knighted by King Charles at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier this month, becoming the first Premier League player to receive the accolade.
Speaking to LBC Radio, Ferdinand said: 'Listen, he deserves it. I think he’s, if we’re looking at somebody that’s worked hard, that has come from not nothing but come from somewhere where he’s had to work to get to the levels that he’s at, no one could have imagined that he’d become a world superstar icon that he is.' The former defender added that Beckham's efforts on and off the pitch made the knighthood a clear choice, unlike some other honours that might leave people scratching their heads.
Beckham rose through Manchester United's academy as part of the celebrated Class of 1992, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the historic treble in 1999. He moved to Real Madrid in 2003, joining the Galácticos, and later played for LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He received an OBE in 2003 and was tipped for a knighthood after London's successful 2012 Olympic bid, in which he played a key role.
The knighthood recognises his services to sport and charity. Beckham's wife, Victoria, attended the ceremony at Windsor Castle, where he was formally invested as Sir David Beckham. Ferdinand praised his former teammate's relentless work ethic, saying: 'He deserves it. I don’t know many that work as hard as him or put the mileage in that he does.'
