“Manchester United Was My Escape” – Amid Ownership Interests, David Beckham Recalls Red Devils Being His Only Solace After World Cup Heartbreak

David Beckham has been thrust back into the glare of the media this month. This comes shortly after he released a Netflix documentary about his life titled ‘Beckham.’ Now, the Inter Miami owner has been speaking to his old Manchester United teammates about the difficulties he faced after ‘that’ red card in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina.

Beckham was sent off after kicking out at Argentine player Diego Simeone (the current manager of Atletico Madrid) in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. After over two decades Becks has revealed that playing for Manchester United was his solace and safe space in the midst of all the news and the media frenzy following that fateful red card.

David Beckham suggests playing for Manchester United was his solace after 1998 World Cup red card

In the 1998 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in France, with the scores tied at 2-2 Beckham was fouled by Diego Simeone near the halfway line with a follow through that was rather fierce. Simeone then tapped the England no.7 on his back but Beckham retaliated by sticking out his leg in what appeared like a kick at Simeone. This subsequently lead to the referee brandishing a red card for Beckham. England were then eventually knocked out on penalties at France ’98 as Beckham became the scapegoat for the press.

On Gary Neville’s podcast The Overlap and Stick To Football, while speaking about how he coped with that red card for the Three Lions in the World Cup, Beckham said, “You know in ’98 obviously it was a it was a tough time for me…..” “Well Manchester United was my escape. You know because at the end of the day, football was my job but I’d have done it anyway even if I weren’t being paid to play football. I love football so it was an escape but in all honesty it was Man United that was my escape from it all.”

This candid interview that Beckham gave came shortly after the release of his 4-part Netflix documentary ‘Beckham’. However, Becks would have his redemption in an England shirt after the 1998 debacle.

Also read: “I’m Still Teaching David Beckham to Dance” – Victoria Beckham Showcases Special Moments From Inter Miami Owner’s Documentary Premiere

Beckham’s redemption as he scored the winning penalty against Argentina at the 2002 World Cup

Argentina and England have a fierce shared rivalry in World Cups. However, Beckham would exorcise his ghosts of 1998 by converting a penalty for England vs Argentina in the 2002 World Cup group stage. After Michael Owen was brought down in the box, and with the world watching, Beckham converted from the spot to give the Three Lions a 1-0 win over La Albiceleste in Korea & Japan.

This was Beckham’s response to fatefully banish the ghosts of France ’98 and become England’s hero. There have been many iconic Beckham moments through the years, but perhaps, his redemption against Argentina at the World Cup was indeed the perfect script.

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