Roberto Carlos has named David Beckham as his favourite English team-mate at Real Madrid – but insist he’s still better at free-kicks.

The Brazil legend, 48, who spent four years playing with Becks at the Bernabeu from 2003, said the pair got on ‘very well’, adding: “He’s a very close friend.”

Beckham and Carlos spent four years together at Madrid Credit: AP: Associated Press

This is despite also sharing the pitch with the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Owen and Steve McManaman, whom Carlos states ‘he got on really well and had an excellent relationship with’.

However, when asked who was the better free-kick taker, Carlos immediately backed himself against prolific set-piece specialist Beckham, telling GQ: “Me! Me!”

David Beckham is someone I really got on very well with. He’s a very close friend.

Roberto Carlos

Becks’ and Carlos’ footballing relationship began when the former England captain signed for the Galacticos from Manchester United for £25million on a four-year contract.

He became only the third Englishman ever to don the famous white strip of Real Madrid, following in the footsteps of Laurie Cunningham and Steve McManaman.

Despite great expectations, Beckham, 46, won only two trophies in his inconsistent four-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the Spanish Super Cup in his first season in Spain and La Liga in his last.

Becks was a popular figure in the Real Madrid dressing room and spoke more Portuguese than Spanish, according to Robinho Credit: EPA

Roberto Carlos and Beckham’s ex-Real Madrid team-mate Robinho recently claimed that Beckham was a part of Real Madrid’s Brazilian clique, which left Spanish-speaking members of the squad jealous.

Speaking to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the ex-Man City forward claimed that: “Beckham was always with the Brazilians. He was part of our group.”

The former Brazil international went on to explain: ”The Spaniards were jealous because he spoke more Portuguese than Spanish, so he ended up spending more time with us.”

Beckham is not the only England international that Roberto Carlos has spoken highly of in recent weeks.

The legendary full-back told GQ that England’s Euro 2020 star Luke Shaw was ‘the best player in the tournament’.

He added: “He has to keep it up; he has to continue playing like that. That’s important.”

Shaw was affectionately dubbed ‘Shawberto Carlos’ by his international team-mates following his performances at Euro 2020, with several comparisons made between the two players’ styles.