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“People Would Spit at Me” – David Beckham Recollects Intense Fan Fury After Red Card Ended World Cup Dreams

Published 10/05/2023, 10:25 AM EDT

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David Beckham is a household name, renowned not only for his illustrious soccer career but also for his foray into the world beyond soccer. Yet, amid the glitz and glamor, few are aware of the immense challenges he faced during his journey. In a recent revelation, the former England international opened up about a profound and painful chapter in his life. Beckham recollects the intense fan fury that erupted after a fateful red card ended his 1998 World Cup dreams.

The Golden Balls may have clinched numerous trophies in his domestic career. However, his dream to win silverware for England remained an unfinished dream.

David Beckham opens up on World Cup red card incident

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During the 1998 World Cup’s round of 16 match between Argentina and England, Diego Simeone fouled Beckham. He even provoked the English midfielder and in response, Becks swung his leg at Simeone. The referee witnessed the incident and issued a red card to Beckham. Following Beckham’s send-off, 10-men England lost the penalty shootout 4-3.

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After the elimination, Beckham had to face a lot of criticism and hate. Fast forward to today, Beckham recently opened up about this infamous incident. Recently, the Inter Miami owner came to Sky Bet’s ‘Stick To Football’ show, where he was accompanied by Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, and Ian Wright.

When asked about the lowest point of his career, he said, “I suppose it was more than just about the football in the end. I think that was the tough part, you know. I had people at the doorstep of my grandparents’ house. And when I would go out for dinner, people would spit at me… or punch windows when they saw it was me at the light when I was in London. And that’s obviously where I’m from, so you know it was tough.”

Indeed, it is quite a shocking revelation from the former Manchester United star. Sadly, the unfortunate incident had quite a serious impact on Beckham’s life. However, he also holds dear the positive recollections, especially his initial meeting with the esteemed Sir Alex Ferguson.

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Beckham reminisced about an old moment with Sir Alex Ferguson

David Beckham recently shared a 36-year-old vintage photo on his Instagram account. It featured himself at the tender age of 12 alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. He penned a caption, “The Boss… one of the most important people in my life from the day I first met him aged 12…#BECKHAM streaming 4th October on @netflix @manchesterunited.”

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From that moment onward, the rest became history, and their enduring partnership continues to be adored by fans all around the world. Certainly, this picture provided a rare and unseen glimpse into the relationship between Beckham and Sir Alex.

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Watch this story: Power Couple David Beckham vs. Victoria Beckham Net Worth Comparison: Who’s Wealthier?

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Written by:

Abhishek Mishra

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Abhishek Mishra is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. Abhishek's love for soccer began during his childhood days when he spent most of his time playing and watching the sport. His early exposure to soccer earned him many accolades at district and zonal levels, making him a true sports enthusiast.
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Edited by:

Vishav