Beckham to Ronaldo - Real have previous when it comes to genius passers like Modric

The Real Madrid midfielder dragged his team back to life against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final to go from the brink of exit to the semi-final.

His pass, using the outside of his right boot, to set up Rodrygo, was the talk of the town - except maybe in west London.

It was a nice way to mark his 100th Champions League appearance and that vision and accuracy brought back memories of another stunning Real Madrid combination.

In 2006, the side were playing Real Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey when David Beckham received the ball on the right hand side and launched a pass into the path of Ronaldo - the original one - who didn't break stride as he scored.

At the time, it was simply one of the greatest passes of all time, but in an age where assists count as much as goals in some eyes, it was one of the greatest assists of all time.

That was typical of Beckham, who was one of the greatest passers of of all time.

And Ronaldo agreed.

"You were one of the best of all time in the centre, the way you touch the ball, could put the ball wherever you want, and without looking at me the ball would come," he said in an Instagram Live conversation in 2020.

"I should thank you for many balls you gave to me. You were amazing."

It put Real 3-0 up early in the game, but they found themselves in an usual postion of clawing back a five-goal deficit having been 6-1 down from the first leg of the semi-final game.

They won 4-0 on the night and a place in the final eluded them.

The current crop, though, fought back against Chelsea and are on course to win a 14th Champions League trophy with a game against Man City or Atletico to come.