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David Beckham's football career was filled with highlights, from curling free kicks to inch-perfect crosses.
He suffered the most harrowing moment of his career in 1998, however, seeing his reputation as a boy wonder for Manchester United and England fall apart following a contentious on-field decision in the Three Lions' loss to Argentina.
Here's a look back at Beckham's stunning sending-off, as well as how he responded to the incident.
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Revisiting David Beckham's red card in 1998 Argentina vs. England World Cup game
Argentina and England's 1998 World Cup tilt was a lively clash filled with animosity. It was the first matchup between the nations since Diego Maradona penned a scathing polemic against the Three Lions with his "Hand of God" and Goal of the Century during the 1986 World Cup.
England fancied itself a World Cup contender. Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and the aforementioned Beckham spearheaded a gifted side managed by Glenn Hoddle that looked poised for a lengthy run through the famous tournament.
The Argentines were similarly talented, boasting standouts like Javier Zanetti, Gabriel Batistuta, Hernan Crespo and Juan Sebastian Veron. They started the game in style, taking the lead courtesy of Batistuta's penalty. England battled back, turning the advantage around via goals from Shearer and Owen. Zanetti equalized with a fiery strike before the end of the first half.
The match burbled on until the 48th minute, when Beckham, having absorbed a late challenge from Simeone, flicked out his foot to trip the Argentine. Simeone was given a yellow card for his efforts. Beckham, meanwhile, was assessed a red card for foul play.
England huffed and puffed through the remainder of the second half and extra time, holding Argentina quiet enough to send the game to penalties. The spot kicks were a crapshoot as all are. La Albiceleste had enough on the day, besting England 4-3 in the fixture to move on to the quarterfinals.
“Sometimes you have to be a bit cunning and sometimes you play the fool," Simeone said of his deceit, per The Guardian. "I happened to be the intelligent one. Beckham did nothing to me.”
To English media, Beckham was the villain. A star for club and country, the then-23-year-old was widely considered one of the best players in the world in his position. His antics in the Round of 16 made him a marked man in the tabloids' eyes.
“Ten heroic Lions, one stupid boy" read the Mirror's headline, accompanied by a picture of the youthful right winger receiving his red card. Effigies were burned in Beckham's honor. He was hounded with boos while playing for Manchester United.
"The whole country hated me," Beckham said in the 2023 documentary, "Beckham", per Yahoo Sports.
"I wish there was a pill that you could take that could erase certain memories. I made a stupid mistake. … Changed my life."
His wife, Victoria, agreed, saying her husband was likely "clinically depressed" following his dismissal.
"He was broken. He was absolutely broken. He was in pieces," Victoria Beckham said.
Beckham turned things around over the next few seasons, helping lead Manchester United to a treble during the 1998-99 season. He summarily was named the runner-up in Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year voting.
Animosity continued in England's next international tournament, the 2000 European Championships. Beckham raised a middle finger towards Three Lions supporters after facing abuse during a 3-2 loss to Portugal.
If that was the nadir of Beckham's popularity within the Three Lions' ranks, the next two seasons would serve as a pinnacle for the international superstar. Beckham sent England to the World Cup with a glittering free kick against Greece in 2001.
Months later, he got his revenge against his former tormenters, scoring the winning goal via penalty as England downed Argentina 1-0.
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