One is famed for theorising about the laws of physics, the other did his best to defy them whenever he stood over a free-kick.
Any list of the most famous British people in the world is sure to include both Stephen Hawking and David Beckham, and the two global icons met at a Google event on Monday.
Hawking's message to Beckham was truthful but also contained his famous wit: "I'm always being compared to you as a British icon and sometimes you rate higher and sometimes I do."
Beckham said he found the message "truly amazing.