“I was spat on, insulted and was the most hated person in the country after the World Cup red – it changed my life,” says David Beckham
SOCCER golden boy David Beckham has told of the heartbreaking moment he was “spat on” while becoming the “most hated person in the country”.
The low point of his career came after the former Manchester United footballer received a red card while representing England at the 1998 World Cup.
6
6
6
Becks, 48, told in his new Netflix documentary of his anguish following his sending off – which many fans at the time believed cost the nation the trophy.
After an inappropriate tackle on Argentina’s Diego Simeone, he was sent to the stands.
For David, who was only 23 at the time, it was the most difficult time in his professional and private life.
Speaking on his new TV show, he said: “What I went through was so extreme. The whole country hated me. Hated me.
“It changed my life. I felt very vulnerable and alone. Every day I was abused wherever I went.
“People look at you a certain way, spit on you, call you names, get in your face and say some of the things they said. That was difficult.”
The red card in the round of 16 match against Argentina in 1998 was blamed for England losing on penalties with ten players.
Over the next two years he was booed in stadiums across the country and an effigy of him was even hung outside a pub in south London.
Beckham was clinically depressed over the hatred he felt after being sent off in a crucial World Cup match, his wife Victoria has revealed.
The superstar couple recalled their pain in a four-part series called Beckham.
In harsh scenes, Victoria said in a new Netflix documentary: “I mean, the absolute hatred, the public bullying, on another level.”
“He was depressed, absolutely clinically depressed.
“I still want to kill these people.”
The documentary also shows the moment David knew he was interested in his now wife Victoria.
He previously met the Spice Girl in car parks when they first met.
David has been building anticipation for the documentary, saying it will have “a lot of stories I’ve never told before.”
The four-part series, out October 4, highlights some of the Golden Balls’ most iconic moments on and off the field.
6
6
6