Home/Soccer

via Getty

via Getty

In the world of soccer, some moments become etched in history, while others fade away with time. For Manchester United legend, David Beckham, one such moment came in the summer of 1996 during a Premier League clash between Manchester United and Wimbledon FC. Just 21 years old at the time, Beckham unleashed a strike that would not only make headlines but also change the course of his career forever. However, surprisingly as a result of his thunderous goal, he suffered an unexpected ‘ban’ by his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was a goal that announced Beckham’s arrival as a global superstar, and it cemented his place as one of the greatest of all time. But what happened after Beckham scored that goal? The Englishman recently revealed Sir Alex Ferguson’s reaction to his strike.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s surprise ban on David Beckham

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

As the latest Netflix documentary titled ‘BECKHAM’ unfolds, David Beckham recounts the moment that sent shockwaves through the soccer world. It was the opening game of the Premier League season in 1996, and Manchester United was facing Wimbledon FC.

With Manchester United already holding on to their 2-0 lead in the game, Beckham found himself with the ball near the halfway line. In a split-second decision, he took a shot, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary. The ball soared over Wimbledon’s goalkeeper and went inside the net.

The audacious strike from David Beckham left the crowd erupting in celebrations, along with his teammates, who rushed in to congratulate Beckham. However, David Beckham revealed in his documentary that as he walked off the pitch, basking in the glory, he was met with a surprising directive from Sir Alex Ferguson. The legendary manager approached him and said, “David, you get on the bus and you don’t say a word. No interviews.”

via Imago

The words from his manager left him baffled and curious. But, Beckham revealed that although he was surprised by Ferguson’s decision, he understood that the manager had his reasons. “He was trying to keep my feet on the ground,” Beckham says. “He didn’t want me to get carried away by all the hype.”

READ MORE: “One of the Most Important People in My Life” – David Beckham Travels 36 Years Back and Recalls Rare Moment With Sir Alex Ferguson

Why did Sir Alex Ferguson ban Beckham from giving interviews?

Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to ban Beckham from giving interviews might be motivated by a number of factors. He wanted to keep Beckham’s feet on the ground. Ferguson knew that the free-kick specialist was a talented player, but he also knew that he was still young and inexperienced. He didn’t want Beckham to get carried away after the goal, and he wanted him to focus on his next match.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

via Imago

Sir Alex Ferguson also knew that Manchester United were a big club and that they had a responsibility to their fans to win trophies. He didn’t want Beckham to get distracted by his individual success, and he wanted him to focus on helping the team achieve their goals. Although Ferguson was a demanding manager, he also cared about his players and wanted them to succeed.

The ‘BECKHAM’ documentary series has given fans a unique opportunity to delve into the life and career of one of soccer’s most iconic figures. David Beckham’s revelation about the post-goal silence imposed by Sir Alex Ferguson adds a new layer of intrigue to his legendary journey. The story of Inter Miami’s owner David Beckham and his career is a testament to the notion — that actions speak louder than words.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: Cristiano Ronaldo and All About His Pets