Exclusive: Soccer superstar impressed with Israeli player's performances for Liverpool this season.
By ANDREW LAST , JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENTBeckham and sons 88 248(photo credit: Courtesy)
Soccer superstar David Beckham has told The Jerusalem Post of his admiration for Israel captain Yossi Benayoun.
Speaking at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, the AC Milan and England midfielder said he has been impressed with Benayoun's performances for Liverpool this season.
"I think he is a very good player, I respect him," Beckham said after witnessing Manchester United's 3-1 destruction of Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal in London.
Benayoun has been a revelation for Liverpool in 2009, scoring seven goals since January, including the opener in the win over Newcastle on Sunday, two in a 4-4 draw with Arsenal last month and the only goal of the game at Real Madrid in the Champions League in February.
The former Maccabi Haifa player appeared to be on his way out of Anfield just a few months ago but has now become a first-choice starter for manager Rafa Benitez.
Beckham, who left Manchester United for Real Madrid in 2003 after playing for the Red Devils for 10years, was a surprise attendee at the match at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
The ex-England captain Beckham came to the game with current AC Milan teammates and former Arsenal players Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini, who were rooting for the Gunners.
Although it has been nearly six years since he played for Sir Alex Ferguson's side Beckham was seen rubbing his hands with glee as Cristiano Ronaldo masterminded another overwhelming performance by the 2008 European champion.
However, he did not leave United on the best of terms, and according to English press reports he was snubbed by Ferguson when he went to congratulate his former manager after the final whistle.
Beckham transferred from Madrid to play for the LA Galaxy in the US's Major League Soccer in 2007 before making a temporary loan move to Milan in January.
While the 34-year-old midfielder is expected to return to Los Angeles at the end of the Serie A season, a report in Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport on Wednesday suggested that Beckham is trying to find a way to stay in Italy.
According to the report, Beckham's advisers have been in Milan this week looking over his agreement with the Galaxy to try and find a loophole which would allow him to continue playing with the Rossoneri.
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