David Beckham's "uncontrollable" sobs before the Sir Alex Ferguson interview changed everything.
ON THIS DAY IN 1998: Manchester United winger David Beckham was sent off after England's World Cup defeat to Argentina before being ridiculed by the press and public.
"10 HEROIC LIONS, ONE STUPID BOY."
That was the headline in the Daily Mirror on July 1, 1998, the morning after Argentina knocked England out of the World Cup. Such heinous remarks would never be published today, but history cannot be erased. It's reminiscent of the scrutiny David Beckham had after being dismissed in that World Cup last-16 match.
With the game tied at 2-2, Beckham was sent off for kicking out with his characteristic right foot at future Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone. As Beckham will tell you, it was a "moment of madness" that defined his glittering career.
Beckham was slammed by the press following his dismissal and has since recalled "how tough it was." This is the narrative of Beckham's dismissal and how Sir Alex Ferguson helped him become a Manchester United icon.
Beckham's tears
England entered the 1998 World Cup with high hopes. Glenn Hoddle had assembled a young, promising team full of future stars such as Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen, and, of course, Beckham.
With Alan Shearer, Tony Adams, Steve McManaman, and Paul Ince in the squad, there was no reason why Hoddle's team couldn't win it all in France. Their group-stage victories over Tunisia and Colombia established their credentials.
However, a 2-1 loss to Romania in their other group game placed England in the last 16 versus Argentina. Argentina's attack was led by prolific Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta, but what knockout games aren't? England had a shot.
Both Batistuta and Shearer scored penalties in the first 10 minutes of the game. Then came Owen's magic moment, as he breezed past two defenders before finding the top corner. It was a watershed event for the 18-year-old.
On the stroke of halftime, Javier Zanetti's brilliant finish made it 2-2 before Beckham's terrible incident in the 47th minute. He had no objections about the dismissal, but it didn't stop him from staring in bewilderment at referee Kim Milton Nielsen.
Beckham discussed the incident with Gary Neville on The Overlap last year. "I remember how difficult it was," the departing celebrity stated. It was just a spur of the moment reaction - it was a moment of lunacy, really.
"When I look back on my career and reflect on my regrets, I wish it hadn't happened." I don't think I've ever been more emotional than when I came out of that dirt and saw my mother and father. I was sobbing uncontrollably, which was little awkward."
Argentina failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage, but prevailed in the shootout when Ince and David Batty missed penalties. And, according to the British press, only one guy was to blame for England's World Cup loss.
That vilification was shared by the whole populace. The next season, Beckham was booed, with Arsenal fans raising a banner that said "DAVID BECKSCUM" at the 1998 Charity Shield. In London, an effigy bearing his name and number was even hanged outside a pub.
Beckham should be grateful that Twitter and Instagram did not exist in 1998. "If social media had been around when I was going through that time, it would have been a whole different story," he said in 2020, as stated by the New York Times.
Ferguson's backing
Despite the fact that Beckham was public enemy number one, his club did not desert him. Man United fans greeted him as a hero upon his return to Old Trafford, and Ferguson was among the first to check on him following his World Cup debacle.
"The morning after [Ferguson] phoned me early to say, 'You alright son?'" Beckham told Neville. I answered yes and became emotional in front of him. 'Don't worry, go away and come back to the club, and you've got us,' he said. All I wanted to hear was that."
Beckham will be eternally grateful for the support he received that year. "Every game that season, with the exception of every game at Old Trafford, was horrendous," he added. Every talk show, every place I go
I was getting abuse every time I poured gas in my car. It didn't matter if it was in Manchester or London.
The United fans got me through that season; I was apprehensive for that first game even since I didn't know what reception I would get. When I got over with the ball in the first corner, the entire stand rose."
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