As the 2026 World Cup approaches, David Beckham reflects on a pivotal moment in his career: the red card he received during the knockout round of the 1998 World Cup against Argentina. At just 23 years old, Beckham was sent off after a controversial incident involving Diego Simeone, leading to England's elimination in a penalty shootout. In the Netflix documentary 'Beckham', he discusses the immense backlash he faced, stating, 'The whole country hated me.' The public's reaction was harsh, with Beckham subjected to verbal abuse and even an effigy hung outside a pub. He described feeling 'vulnerable and alone' during this period, which his wife Victoria suggested led to clinical depression. Despite the challenges, Beckham persevered, later becoming England's captain and competing in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. His legacy, shaped by this red card, endures in English football history.