The Beckham Red Card

David Beckham's infamous red card during the 1998 World Cup remains a pivotal moment in his career. The incident occurred in the round of 16 match between England and Argentina, with the score tied at 2-2. Beckham was sent off after kicking Argentina's Diego Simeone, who had initially fouled him and then rubbed his knuckles against Beckham's head. The referee, Kim Milton Nielsen, issued the red card, leaving England to play with ten men. The match ultimately ended in a penalty shootout, which England lost, eliminating them from the tournament. The aftermath of the red card was marked by severe criticism and abuse directed at Beckham. He faced heavy media scrutiny and public backlash, including death threats and effigies being hung in public. This period had a profound impact on Beckham, who later described feeling clinically depressed. Despite this, Beckham rebounded and went on to become a key figure in English football, eventually captaining the national team and scoring crucial goals in future tournaments. The 1998 World Cup incident remains a defining moment in Beckham's career, symbolizing both the challenges he faced and his resilience in overcoming them.