Ronnie O'Sullivan responds to David Beckham message after remarkable comeback in Masters final

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 15/01/2024

- 12:16

The snooker icon won 10-7 on Sunday night to add to his glittering trophy haul

Ronnie O'Sullivan and David Beckham have exchanged messages on social media following the 48-year-old's Masters triumph on Sunday night.

The Rocket seemed to be heading for defeat against Ali Carter, having fallen 6-3 down at one stage.


But O'Sullivan showed why he's considered the best snooker player of all time, eventually winning 10-7 in front of a delighted Alexandra Palace crowd.

O'Sullivan was the youngest-ever winner of the tournament when he reigned supreme back in 1995.

Ronnie O'Sullivan David Beckham

Ronnie O'Sullivan and David Beckham have exchanged messages on social media after Masters triumph

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And he's now the oldest champion in Masters history, too, after seeing off strong competition from Carter to secure the prize.

After O'Sullivan's triumph, Beckham sent the snooker star a congratulatory message on Instagram.

The Inter Miami owner said: "@Ronnie well done mate."

And O'Sullivan then replied by saying 'thanks mate' while accompanying his response with a thumbs up.

Other big names from the world of sport have congratulated the 48-year-old.

Novak Djokovic commented on one of O'Sullivan's pictures with clapping and muscle emojis.

Tottenham star James Maddison, who was present at Ally Pally, said: "Different level."

Former footballer Jimmy Bullard simply said 'the guvnour' with a fire emoji.

And Lee Trundle stated: "The greatest to ever do it."

O'Sullivan is known for his honesty and, after beating Carter, insisted he was actually better as a teenager than he is now.

He said: “I thought when I was 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 I was even better then than I was now to be honest with you.

“Technically I felt I was much better, more consistent. These days I’m a bit in and out and I search for it.

“It’s got better since 2001 and I’ve had to work on the technical side just to keep things as tight as I can.

“I have some good spells, some good months, good years sometimes, but then I have some awful months and awful years and I just accept that that’s how it is and just try and play my way through it and hopefully it comes good at some point.

“It’s quite a struggle for me the game at the moment, confidence wise.”

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Ronnie O'Sullivan has thanked David Beckham on social media after his Masters win

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Carter, meanwhile, quipped that O'Sullivan was 'starting to annoy him' after his defeat.

“He’s beginning to annoy me," he said.

"It’s a good week, obviously, I’m gutted I lost the final, it’s all about winning at the end of the day.

"But before I rocked up last week I’d have took the final, so a lot of good things to come for me.

"I’m heading in the right direction.”

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan came from behind to beat Ali Carter in Sunday's Masters final

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He added: "Ronnie played very well there, I know he missed a couple at the end I think the crowd were getting a bit excited.

"When you play Ronnie you're playing against the crowd as well, you gotta' accept that.

"I tried my best and it just wasn't good enough today."