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In the new Netflix documentary “Beckham,” former soccer star David Beckham looks back at the hateful treatment he received following his infamous 1998 FIFA World Cup red card.
The four-part series explores Beckham’s upbringing and his triumphs on the field, but perhaps the most difficult part was revisiting his painful sending-off during England’s World Cup match against Argentina.
Beckham was red-carded after being pushed to the ground and lashing out after kicking the back of Diego Simeone’s leg. England’s World Cup hopes were crushed, and Beckham went from hero to villain.
“Beckham” lays bare the condemnation from both the British tabloids and soccer fans, with one “supporter” hanging an effigy of the player from a noose outside a London pub.
The documentary also touches upon Beckham’s move from a player to a cultural icon and entrepreneur. He was a trailblazer in the sport thanks to collaborations with brands including Adidas, Armani, and Breitling.
“I always made sure that whatever I was doing off the field never affected what I was doing on the field because that was what I loved and what was important to me.”
His business savvy culminated in ownership of his own soccer team, Inter Miami.
“I had the opportunity to play in different countries, move to America, obviously have my own franchise and my own team, become an owner,” he said. “So then once I finished playing, I knew that the moment I finished playing, I could then jump into the business. But, we were working on that a long time before that.”
Looking back on the highs and lows of his career, it’s natural to wonder if Beckham has any regrets.
“Do I wish things hadn’t happened? Absolutely. Do I wish ‘98 hadn’t happened? Absolutely.”
But, by the end of his career, he realized everything happens for a reason.
“It made me stronger as a person, as a player, as a human being, and as a father as a husband,” he said. “And if that hadn’t have happened, I maybe I wouldn’t have had the career that I had.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.