Italian media on Thursday ridiculed the latest in a long line of gaffes by David Beckham after the former England star said he wanted to see AC Milan win the Champions League this season.

AC Milan, along with city rivals Inter, failed to qualify for any European competition this season and so are not involved in the Champions League or its poorer cousin, the Europa League.

Beckham, 40, reportedly made the blunder at the opening of a new Adidas store in Dubai, where he was asked who he would like to win the competition this season.

"I'm going to have to say Man Utd, PSG or AC Milan - one of those three," said Beckham, who played the bulk of his career with Manchester United before enjoying spells at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

La Gazzetta dello Sport called Beckham's oversight a 'Spice Gaffe' in reference to the retired player's wife Victoria Beckham, a former member of the pop group the Spice Girls.

A report on the sport daily's website said: "After leaving behind his playing career, 'Becks' must also have decided not to follow what's happening in the world of fooball so much."