Harry Styles feels he needs a "back-up answer" when people ask who his idol is.
The One Direction star attended The Class of 92 premiere in London recently, which celebrates David Beckham's rise to soccer stardom.
As a young boy he looked up to the sporting icon, but felt choosing David as his role model wasn't original enough.
"I think he was everybody's idol when I was growing up," the 19-year-old mused to the British edition of OK! magazine.
"When people asked you that question, you almost needed a back-up answer because everyone would say, 'David Beckham!'"
Harry and his bandmates Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan attract huge crowds wherever they go.
The singer is amazed that even David's kids Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper are fans of his music.
"He's just a legend. He's also a great example of how you can have so much success, yet still be a really nice, down-to-earth person. He's a great role model," he gushed.
"We actually met once when we were performing in LA. He brought his kids to our concert. He's a really nice guy."
There are rumours 38-year-old David could be en route to a knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
Harry strongly believes the star deserves such an honour.
"I think he really deserves it," he enthused. "It makes sense because he's such a national treasure. To be honest, I already thought he was Sir David Beckham anyway!"
