Kasper Schmeichel recollects: I couldn't even reach the crossbar to Beckham’s free kicks

Having one of the legendary figures of English football as dad allows the son to mix with some of the greats of the time. Peter Schmeichel's illustrious career at Manchester United, during which he won 10 major titles, including five Premier League crowns and a Champions League trophy, provided such an opportunity to his son Kasper.

Kasper, a regular visitor to United's old training base, The Cliff, during his dad's time, admits to being inspired as a boy by the world-class talents around him. Now a Premier League winner with Leicester City, the Foxes goalie spoke of his admiration for Beckham.

"I've known him (Beckham) since I was a kid really, from my days around The Cliff, which was Manchester United's training ground,” Kasper told the Foxes’ official matchday programme on Tuesday.

“He posted a very nice post about me on his Instagram page when we won the Premier League. It's a strange thing, because I used to go in goal when I was a kid and he was practising his free-kicks. I couldn't even reach the crossbar! 

“To see the work rate and the effort he put in to get to where he got was incredible,” the 29-year old said.

Leicester City are now undefeated in their first European campaign after they won Tuesday's Champions League group stage match 1-0 over FC Copenhagen.