'I demanded reward after finding David Beckham's lost wallet - his reaction surprised me' - The Mirror

England icon David Beckham was knighted on Tuesday, but one incident left the Manchester United great indebted after another celebrity found his lost wallet

David Beckham has become a knight of the realm after years of failed efforts, but even knights are capable of oversight, it seems. That much became apparent after the Manchester United legend once misplaced his wallet - and was almost held to ransom as result.

Beckham, 50, and wife Victoria appeared at Windsor Castle on Tuesday as the former received one of the highest honours in the land. The England great was recognised for his services to football and charity, finally getting his knighthood after more than a decade chasing the title.

Many will consider the reward justified given the impact Beckham has had on Britain's behalf over the past quarter-century. However, Becks was once almost forced into handing out a reward of his own just to get his wallet back.

Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal once found Beckham's wallet and couldn't resist pulling a prank on the football superstar. It was all in good fun, however, considering the pair have been mates since Beckham's stint with the LA Galaxy.

Lakers legend 'Shaq' once joked he considered pocketing the cash he discovered but had a change of heart when he realised the wallet's owner. Not that one of the most recognisable faces in NBA history is stuck for a penny or two.

"I was walking one day in Beverly Hills and I found a wallet," said O'Neal on The Late Late Show with James Corden. "Usually when I find wallets, I just take all the money out and I just throw them. But this was a nice wallet."

Upon spotting Beckham's ID, he decided to play a joke on the former Real Madrid star by pretending to demand a hefty reward. "First I played a joke," the American confessed. "I was like, 'I have your wallet, it's going to cost you a million dollars to get it back.'

"But he knew it was me. [Beckham said] 'Shaq, stop playing'. I was like 'Dave, I found your wallet'. The funny thing is he said, 'There was some money in this wallet, you know what happened?' And I was like, 'Nope.'"

Shaq, who retired in 2012, is hailed as one of basketball's greatest figures. Standing at a towering 7'1", he clinched four NBA championships: Three with the Lakers during the Kobe Bryant era, and one with the Miami Heat.

In 2000, he was crowned NBA MVP and made 15 All-Star appearances throughout a distinguished career that also included spells with the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.

Beckham hung up his boots a year after O'Neal in 2013, having played for top-tier clubs such as United, Real, the Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG. He also donned the England jersey 115 times and held the captain's armband for six years.

Although now residing in the UK with wife Victoria, Beckham still frequently jets across the Atlantic. He is a part-owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami and has helped pave the way to two major titles in the past two seasons.

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