Trent Alexander-Arnold's playmaking brilliance in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad earned comparisons to David Beckham. The English right-back put in his best performance of the season and it didn't go unnoticed by those in Spain and England.
Beckham was renowned for his pinpoint accuracy when crossing the ball into the box. There were countless times when the English midfielder would put it on a plate for the likes of Ronaldo Nazario and Raul Gonzalez.
Alexander-Arnold assisted Gonzalo Garcia for Madrid's opener against Sociedad. It was one of eight successful long-ball attempts made by the 27-year-old. Marca asked "Has Beckham returned to the Bernabeu?" in response to his display.
Rio Ferdinand on Alexander-Arnold and Beckham comparison
Beckham carved up similar performances at boyhood club Manchester United. His former teammate Rio Ferdinand discussed the comparison made between the England icon and Alexander-Arnold.
Ferdinand spoke to United fan Stephen Howson and Arsenal supporter Joel Beya on his podcast. Howson was bemused by suggestions that Alexander-Arnold had replicated Beckham.
Howson said on Rio Ferdinand Presents:
"Stylistically, they are not the same. One is laser-guided bombing, one is carpet bombing. They are not the same."
Ferdinand replied: "What is he talking about?"
Howson continued: "You can call it effective if you want. There is a completely different aesthetic to how these players play the game. Just because he plays off the right-hand side and whips crosses in, he is not the same, they are not even close to being the same."
Ferdinand responded: "Tell us the difference, the detail."
Howson said: "One spams crosses and one was laser-guided. How many of Beckham's crosses didn't meet the target?"
Ferdinand told him: "There will be loads but he met the target very often don't worry."
Howson added: "Trent's a spam artist."
Beya defended Alexander-Arnold, " I think you're being harsh" and Ferdinand responded "I agree."
Alexander-Arnold made just his 13th appearance of the season in the win over Sociedad. Many at Madrid believe he could be a massive difference heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
The Englishman joined the club as a free agent last summer after leaving Liverpool. There have always been concerns about his defending but his playmaking abilities have wowed European fans over the past decade.
Ferdinand names Trent among elite playmakers including Pirlo and Gerrard
Alexander-Arnold has a fan in Ferdinand who disagreed with his fellow podcasters claims. The iconic former United defender went as far as to suggest the Madrid man is on par with all-time greats.
Ferdinand explained just how difficult it is to excel at passing:
"I think some of the passes, even to see them on the pitch sometimes, I'm not talking about this particular game, but when you break down passing, I think it's ridiculous.
He added:
"You're on the run, someone like Beckham, I think Trent sits in that category, Kevin De Bruyne will get in that category, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Andrea Pirlo. These guys, when they are on the run, and they are able to make split-second decisions, and they are having to take into account where the player is, the distance, do I have to play it over bodies, or do I go low? Do I go for a lofted ball, or do I drill it? How close to the ball do I plant my foot?"
Ferdinand pointed out a feat achieved by Alexander-Arnold:
All of these things are having to go through a player's head. Those things are doing multiple times, he's done eleven long passes more than any other Real Madrid player in one game this season. The amount of times he's doing this and hitting the nail on the head with his passes. He is an elite operator."
That's high praise from Ferdinand given the names he gave are among the most celebrated playmakers in football history. A lack of creativity has been desperately needed in the Madrid team this season and it appears the Englishman can provide it.