Beckham Shocks Football World with Unexpected Champions League Dark Horse Pick
The Champions League makes its comeback on Tuesday, September 16th, marking the start of the expanded 36-team league phase.
European giants including Real Madrid, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal will kick off their campaigns as expert predictions continue to pour in. David Beckham made one particularly striking forecast among the pundits.
The Inter Miami president and co-owner selected a Premier League club to make waves in the competition, even after a significant summer departure.
"The dark horse would have to be, you know what, I believe people are already dismissing Newcastle. I believe Newcastle are a strong squad, I believe they possess quality players and they are very unified as a team, supporters and organization, and I believe they could catch some people off guard," Beckham stated during a CBS Champions League preview program.
Newcastle parted ways with star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool on Transfer Deadline Day for a British record fee of £125 million ($167.9 million). The Magpies brought in Stuttgart and Germany international Nick Woltemade as Isak's replacement while also securing Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga. Despite the turbulent transfer situation involving one of the world's elite players, Beckham continues to support Eddie Howe and his squad to exceed expectations.
Should Newcastle fulfill the Manchester United icon's forecast, they'll face an early challenge when they welcome tournament favorites Barcelona on Thursday to launch their league phase campaign. Beckham also endorsed defending champions Paris Saint-Germain for a deep run, but selected Real Madrid to claim their 16th European crown.
Jamie Carragher playfully named Newcastle among the three Premier League clubs he expects to progress. The ex-Liverpool defender suggested that, despite the English top division being the world's strongest league at present, half the participating teams would find it difficult to advance.
The Premier League boasts an impressive six representatives in the European tournament this season. Their strong showing in the previous campaign secured the Premier League an extra qualification place, with Tottenham Hotspur completing the contingent after their Europa League triumph.