Declan Rice Reveals David Beckham’s Instagram Message After Stunning Real Madrid Free-Kicks
It was the night Arsenal fans will never forget — and one that etched Declan Rice into UEFA Champions League folklore. Now, the England midfielder has revealed he received a private message from none other than David Beckham after his stunning brace of free-kicks against Real Madrid.
Rice twice beat Thibaut Courtois with thunderous long-range strikes in a sensational quarter-final first leg performance that powered the Gunners to a 3-0 win in north London. They later sealed a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory with a 2-1 triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu, marking one of the club’s most iconic European nights under manager Mikel Arteta.
Rice stuns Real Madrid with two legendary free-kicks
Declan Rice free-kicks were never part of his reputation prior to that unforgettable clash. Known more for his leadership, ball recovery, and midfield control, the Arsenal star had not been viewed as a dead-ball specialist.
But against Real Madrid, he delivered two unstoppable efforts that left Courtois rooted and Arsenal supporters in disbelief. In doing so, Rice became the first player in Champions League history to score two direct free-kicks in a single knockout-stage match — a record that immediately entered European football history.
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Though Arsenal’s dream ultimately ended in the semi-finals against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, Rice’s performance remains one of the standout moments of the campaign.
England star reveals message from free-kick legend Beckham
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Sun, Rice admitted he was stunned to receive a direct message from Beckham after the game.
“He [Beckham] messaged me on Instagram about it.
“That was crazy, because he had some of the biggest moments ever with free-kicks.
“I remember the first time I met Beckham was in Qatar. We all approached him. Every player was like, he was a god, you know, because it’s Becks.
“When I put the ball down [for a set piece], it’s just all about feel. It’s knowing where you’re going to put the ball, how much pace you’re going to put on it.
“People might go: ‘How do you know that?’ You’ve got to go off instinct.
“I know it can cause chaos, but it’s one of our strengths. Let’s keep it going because it’s been really good for us this year.”
For Rice, praise from Beckham — widely regarded as one of football’s greatest free-kick specialists — marked a surreal full-circle moment.
Rice yet to score another free-kick despite record-breaking night
Interestingly, those two goals against Real Madrid remain the only direct free-kicks Rice has scored in his senior career.
Still, he continues to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s pursuit of domestic and European honours. The England international has registered four goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, with his set-piece deliveries from corners proving a constant threat.
As for Beckham, his legacy from dead-ball situations is beyond question. Across spells with Manchester United and Real Madrid, he scored 65 career free-kicks, including his iconic stoppage-time strike against Greece national football team that secured England’s place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Rice may not yet rival Beckham’s numbers — but on that electric Champions League night, he certainly channeled the spirit of “Becks.”
Declan Rice Reveals David Beckham’s Instagram Message After Stunning Real Madrid Free-Kicks