David Beckham's opinion of Bukayo Saka speaks volumes about Arsenal and England winger

David Beckham has lauded praise on England's star winger Bukayo Saka, as he claims the young Arsenal star is a shining light both on and off the pitch

David Beckham has outlined Bukayo Saka is a "great" No.7 for England, praising the Arsenal winger's attitude both on and off the pitch.

Both Beckham and Saka have claimed their own redemption arcs in England jerseys – with the Arsenal youngster tragically missing a penalty in Euro 2020 final shoot-out against Italy, while Beckham was infamously sent off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup for a petulant kick out at Diego Simeone.

However, both players redeemed themselves in different ways, with Saka becoming a shining light on the wing for his country and scoring important goals for England. Meanwhile, Beckham went on to captain his country for six years and made 117 appearances in total, scoring 17 goals and assisting 42 times for England.

Beckham appeared on the Rio Presents podcast to chat about his life in football and also commended Saka's charitable personality in his community. The former Manchester United midfielder, who also donned the iconic No.7 for England, claimed he "loved" the Arsenal star both as a person and a player.

When asked his thoughts on the 23-year-old by his former United and England team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Beckham said: "You look at the guy, I love him as a player. I love him as a person, firstly, but I love him as a player. And everything that he represents as a footballer, not just on the field, but off the field as well.

"He's trying to make a difference in many different areas. But you know that he's focused on his players as well, and that's what I love about him. So I think he's a great number seven."

Saka has been known to support many charities, including some from his parents' home country of Nigeria. As part of a collaboration with charity BigShoe, Saka funded 120 life-changing operations for children in Kano, as well as working with Street Soccer Academy to donate over 100 football boots as part of Football For Good Day.

The Arsenal star-boy has made 42 appearances for England, scoring 12 goals and becoming an influential part of a squad that reached two consecutive European Championship finals in a row – as well as making the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

Another England star that Beckham pointed out in his chat with Ferdinand was Trent Alexander-Arnold – claiming the Liverpool right-back is most like him when he was playing for his country. The 49-year-old said: "I suppose if there was one player where I look at, and I think, he's very similar in the way he delivers the ball, he's very similar in the way he crosses the ball or passes, it has to be Trent.

"In all honesty, I think he's an unbelievable – his vision, he's unbelievable.

"And he's an exceptional player, but when I look at a player and I think I see myself in the way he puts the ball in, what he sees, in the long balls that he plays.

"He plays balls that some players don't even think about, and that's what I love about him as a player."

Listen to the full Rio Meets Becks interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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