Manchester United icon David Beckham explains how NBA legends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson influenced his career

Manchester United icon David Beckham has revealed he wore jersey numbers 23 and 32 later in his career because of NBA legends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

Beckham wore a variety of jersey numbers during his time at Old Trafford, but is best known for wearing No. 7. Of course, United’s shirt has had the blessing of the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo, and after being worn by David Beckham’s hero Bryan Robson, Beckham holds a special place in his heart.

However, when he moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003, Beckham had to realize that he could not inherit the No. 7 jersey in La Liga. Luckily, his love for basketball gave him the inspiration for another number.

Read more: Beckham responds to Dwayne Johnson’s Halloween costume

Read more: Beckham’s net worth compares to Class of ’92

He explained to Classic Football Shirts: “I moved to Real Madrid and the number 7 shirt was Raul, and obviously I would never consider asking him for the number 7 shirt, I wouldn’t get it anyway. So I just Q: “What phone numbers are available? ’ They said all the numbers available and I didn’t think 23 was one of them, but I said I’m a huge Jordan fan, I’ve always loved him, I’m an admirer of his, so I asked, ‘Can I be 23? ? “They said yes, and that’s how it all started.”

Beckham made a landmark move to MLS from Madrid to the LA Galaxy. Despite having greater power in the United States, the midfielder is still reluctant to force another player to swap jersey numbers with him.

He added: “I actually like the idea of ​​wearing No. 23 in America. The connection to Jordan and the importance of No. 23, I just felt like wearing No. 23 was the right thing to do.”

“Also, Chris Klein wore No. 7 with the Galaxy and I always feel bad about taking numbers off people and I’ve never really done that, so I’m not planning on day one with the Galaxy Start playing. It was obviously appropriate to keep number 23, but then I moved to AC Milan.

“It’s a club I’ve always respected and loved. When I got the chance to play there I took it because I needed to stay in the England squad to go to the World Cup.

“But when I arrived in Milan, the No. 23 jersey was gone, and the No. 7 jersey was gone, so I thought I also liked the 32-year-old Magic Johnson, so I took it to Milan and PSG.”