10 Footballers Who Recovered From World Cup Disgraces

4. David Beckham

England fans were in dream land when Michael Owen's goal put them 2-1 up against Argentina in a pulsating France '98 Round of 16 tie. That thrill was tempered when legendary Inter Milan star Javier Zanetti levelled things right before half time. Still, hopes were high that England could see the job through in the second half.

That's when David Beckham went and made himself a bit of a pantomime villain.

By kicking out at Diego Simeone in the 47th minute, Beckham had been suckered in by the Argentinian's antics and was promptly sent off. England went on to lose on penalties, and the media came down hard on the Man Utd man; a hanging effigy was even waiting for him at Utd's first away game the next season. Meanwhile, the newspapers printed angry headlines such as, "You’re Just A Joke Becks".

Over the next two years, Beckham won a memorable Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble with Utd before being named captain of England in 2000. Then, his journey from hated to hero was capped off by a wonder free kick against Greece in 2001 that secured England's place at the 2002 World Cup.

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