"10 HEROIC LIONS, ONE STUPID BOY."
That was the headline of the Daily Mirror on July 1, 1998 - the morning after England were dumped out of the World Cup by Argentina. Such brutal words would never be published today, but the first draft of history cannot be erased. It's a reminder of the scrutiny David Beckham received at the time, having been dismissed in that World Cup last-16 clash.
With the game evenly poised a 2-2, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at future Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone with his trademark right foot. It was a "moment of madness" - as Beckham will tell you - but one that defined his glittering career.
Beckham was hammered by the press in the aftermath of his dismissal and has since recalled "how tough is was". Here is the story of that dismissal and how Sir Alex Ferguson helped Beckham go on to become a Manchester United legend.
Beckham's tears
England went into the 1998 World Cup with big expectations. Three Lions boss Glenn Hoddle had picked a young, promising team filled with future legends, including Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and, of course, Beckham.
With the likes of Alan Shearer, Tony Adams, Steve McManaman and Paul Ince also in the squad, there was no reason why Hoddle's team couldn't have gone all the way in France. Group-stage wins against Tunisia and Colombia confirmed their credentials.
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Yet a 2-1 defeat to Romania in their other group game pitted England against Argentina in the last 16. It wasn't an easy tie - with prolific Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta leading Argentina's attack - but what knockout games are? England had a chance.
The game started with Batistuta and Shearer both scoring penalties inside the first 10 minutes. Then came Owen's moment of magic, as he breezed past two defenders before find the top corner. It was a coming of age moment for the 18-year-old.
Javier Zanetti's smart finish made it 2-2 on the stroke of half-time before Beckham's regrettable incident unfolded in the 47th minute. He could have no complaints at the dismissal, but that didn't stop him from looking at referee Kim Milton Nielsen in disbelief.
Beckham recalled the incident in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap last year. The sent off star said: "I remember how tough it was... It was just a moment that happened where I reacted - it was a moment of madness, really.
"When I look back on my career and talk about regrets, I wish that never happened.. I don't think I've ever been as emotional as I was coming out of that ground and seeing my mum and dad. I was crying, uncontrollable sobbing, which is slightly embarrassing."
Argentina failed to take advantage of their numerical advantage but were victorious after Ince and David Batty missed penalties in the shootout. And, in the eyes of the British press, there was only one man to blame for England's World Cup exit.
The public shared that vilification. Beckham was booed the following season, with Arsenal fans holding up a banner that read "DAVID BECKSCUM" at the 1998 Charity Shield. An effigy with his name and number was even hung outside of a pub in London.
Beckham can just be thankful that Twitter or Instagram didn't exist in 1998. "If social media was around when I was going through that time, it would have been a whole different story," he admitted in 2020, as quoted by GOAL.
At just 23, Beckham blossoming career had collapsed. It was hard to see how he would bounce back from the distressing episode.
Ferguson's support
Although Beckham was public enemy No.1, his club didn't abandon him. Man Utd fans gave him a hero's welcome on his return to Old Trafford, while Ferguson was one of the first people to check the footballer was OK after his World Cup disaster.
Beckham told Neville: "The morning after [Ferguson] phoned me early to say, 'You alright son?' I said yes and I got emotional to him. He said, 'Don't worry, go away and come back to the club and you've got us''. That was all I needed to hear."
Beckham will always be thankful for the support he received that year. He added: "Every game that season, apart from every time we played at Old Trafford, was horrendous. Every talk show, everywhere I went, every time I put petrol in the car I was getting abuse. Whether it was in Manchester or London, it didn't matter.
"The thing that got me through that season were the United fans, I was nervous anyway for that first game because I didn't know what reaction I would get. That first corner, I went over with the ball, and I looked up and the whole stand rose."
A lot of people would've crumbled after such a difficult episode, but Beckham went on to enjoy a remarkable 1998-99 campaign. He won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup to be named UEFA's Club Footballer of the Year. Not a bad comeback.
Beckham was also the runner-up in FIFA's World Player of the Year behind the great Rivaldo. He went on to win league titles in England, Spain, the United States and France after spells with Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
Crucially, though, Beckham became an England icon. He captained his country at two World Cups and Euro 2004, finishing with 115 senior caps. Although he never won a major international trophy, that is some comeback considering what happened in 1998.
Beckham will never forget his infamous kick at Simeone, but nor should he. It was a moment that made him the great player he was - not to mention a global celebrity.
