Following their respective victories—Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid and PSG’s narrow 5-4 triumph over Aston Villa—the two teams are set to battle it out for a spot in the 2025 Champions League final. ..Continue Reading
Despite acknowledging Arsenal’s impressive showing against the reigning champions and calling their European run a positive sign for English football, Beckham made it clear where his loyalties lie.
Having ended his career at PSG, where he made 14 appearances, Beckham says he’ll be backing the French side in the semi-final, expressing his admiration and cherished memories from his time at the club.
‘I actually think it’s great to see an English team in the semis,’ Beckham told CBS Sports after the four semi-finalists were confirmed.
‘Obviously, if they go on and obviously beat PSG and get to the final, I think it’ll be a special thing for them as a club, for Mikel [Arteta] as a manager and for the team and the performances that they’ve put in the Champions League this year.
‘I know my son’s watching so I hope they do well in the Champions League but obviously they’re coming up against PSG so I know who I’ll be supporting on the night!
‘But we always want English teams to do well. It’s such a special competition.’
Asked about Arsenal’s display against Real Madrid, Beckham added: ‘I think a lot of people actually expected a little bit of a comeback, you know?
‘It’s what they were all saying in Madrid, the day of the game and the lead up to it, but in all honesty, the two games, Arsenal deserved it.
‘I think it was the complete performance from Arsenal – great individual performances, great team performance, and then obviously a great management by Mikel [Arteta], so they deserved it.
‘I was expecting a little bit more of a comeback today but just wasn’t meant to be. Arsenal managed the game so well.
‘There were great performances from all the defenders and then obviously with Declan [Rice] and Bukayo [Saka]. I think it was an exceptional performance away from home.’
After Arsenal dismantled Real Madrid, Theo Walcott named his former team as the ‘favourites’ to win the Champions League.
‘I want Arsenal to win it and they are certainly capable of going all the way,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘They will be favourites now, after going to the Bernabeu and beating Real Madrid, but there is something about Inter Milan that worries me. The way they defend makes me think they have a real chance too.
‘It is still so open, though, and I can’t even call either semi-final right now, let alone the final – it is too hard to say who will win it with any certainty.’
La Liga frontrunners Barcelona will take on Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan in the other Champions League semi-final.
Barcelona outclassed Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, while Inter secured their place by eliminating German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
