David Beckham hints at Cristiano Ronaldo: “True luxury doesn’t come from showing off your assets, but from how you behave”
Recently, English football legend David Beckham has stirred up the online community after making an implicit statement that was said to be aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo – who has just officially become the first football billionaire in history. In an interview with a European sports magazine, Beckham said:
“True luxury doesn’t come from showing off your assets, but from how you behave and treat those around you.”
Immediately after this statement, a series of international newspapers quickly linked it to Ronaldo, who is famous for his lavish lifestyle, posts showing off his villas, supercars, yachts and the CR7 brand worth hundreds of millions of pounds. Many people think that Beckham is implicitly criticizing the way Ronaldo presents himself after achieving the title of “first football billionaire”.
Beckham – who was once a fashion icon, a talent and a class icon of world football – seems unhappy with the way modern football is being dominated too much by money and image. He added:
“When I was playing, everything was simpler. We played for passion, for honor and for the fans. Now, it seems like football is going in the wrong direction.”
The statement “football is going in the wrong direction” is seen by many as a blunt sarcasm for the current generation of players – especially stars like Ronaldo or Mbappé, who are not only players but also “global brands” with billions of dollars in commercial value.
According to the Daily Mail, Beckham used to admire Ronaldo when both were indirectly associated with Manchester United. However, after many years, the gap in life views and football philosophies between the two legends seems to be getting wider. While Ronaldo confidently asserts himself as the “CR7 empire” with a flashy style, Beckham chooses a discreet, elegant path and aims for the image of a sophisticated businessman rather than someone who flaunts his wealth.
Beckham used his influence to build the Inter Miami club in the US, contributing to bringing European football closer to American fans without having to make loud announcements. He rarely shows off his assets, but invests heavily in community projects, from youth football to charity activities. Therefore, Beckham’s latest statement makes fans compare him even more with Ronaldo – who often appears in posts showing off his muscles, luxury watches and private planes.
On social networks, fans’ reactions are divided into two sides. One side supports Beckham, saying he is right that today’s football is gradually losing its simplicity and pure sporting spirit. The other side defended Ronaldo, asserting that CR7 deserved to enjoy the fruits of his labor after decades of hard work and dedication.
A widely shared comment on Twitter read:
“Beckham may be elegant, but Ronaldo is the one who created the empire. Everyone has a different way of expressing success – as long as they achieve it through their own efforts.”
Although he did not mention Ronaldo directly, Beckham’s clever, profound and meaningful choice of words made the international media believe that he was indirectly sending a message to his famous junior: that class is not only about money, but also about humility and behavior.
Currently, neither Ronaldo nor Beckham have made any further comments on this issue. However, Beckham’s saying “football is going in the wrong direction” is still spreading strongly, becoming a hot topic across international football forums – where people not only discuss money, but also about the true value of greatness in sports.
