Copyright walesonline
Following David Beckham's recent knighthood, tributes have poured in from across the sporting world and beyond for the football legend. Among them was multilingual reporter Alex Aljoe, who has expressed doubts about whether his reaction to her congratulations was sincere. It was announced in June that Beckham would feature in the latest round of King Charles ' Birthday Honours. The momentous occasion finally took place on Tuesday as he knelt at Windsor Castle following years of unsuccessful attempts to be dubbed a knight of the realm. Sky Sports regular Aljoe was covering the FIFA Club World Cup this summer when she encountered Becks and offered her congratulations on his latest accolade. However, this wasn't their first meeting, having previously interviewed him during his spell at Real Madrid around two decades earlier. Aljoe brought up their previous encounter while speaking with Beckham 20 years on, and the Manchester United icon claimed he remembered their first meeting. Both Micah Richards and Gary Lineker offered contrasting views on the matter when Aljoe recounted the story during an appearance on The Rest Is Football podcast . "Well, that opening game [at the Club World Cup] was amazing, they had an opening ceremony as well," she said. "[There were] fireworks, French Montana performing... then the players came out one by one, Beckham was there. Sorry, Sir David Beckham was there. "I congratulated him on his knighthood and asked if he remembered me from years ago, when I interviewed him at Real Madrid. He said, 'Yes', but the jury's out on that one." The 50-year-old has honed his media skills through the years and seldom appears flustered during interviews. Even Aljoe questioned whether his response was genuine as she recounted their encounter in Miami. Richards then smiled knowingly as he replied: "He was lying. He was lying, he was definitely lying." However, Lineker was more willing to give Beckham the benefit of the doubt given his recent accolade, adding: "Knights don't lie, Alex. Knights of the realm do not lie!" Former England and Manchester City defender Richards then volunteered to message Beckham directly to settle the matter. That was before fellow podcast regular Alan Shearer shot back: "Listen to him, 'I can text him for you'. What a k*** you are!" Five months on, Beckham's lifelong ambition has been fulfilled following this week's ceremony at Windsor. Wife Victoria witnessed her husband being recognised for his sporting achievements and charitable work alongside sons Romeo and Cruz, as well as daughter Harper. "I couldn't be prouder. People know how patriotic I am - I love my country," said Becks following Tuesday's procession . "I've always said how important the monarchy is to my family. I'm lucky enough to have travelled around the world, and all people want to talk to me about is our monarchy. It makes me proud."
