The controversial side of David Beckham (Video)

Players leave their respects and fans weep as one of England’s most capped players announces his retirement at the age of 38. Few can dispute Beckham’s talent or his achievement. He won everything at club level and his passing and crossing skills were considered some of the best in the world. Beckham was also largely famous for his exploits off the pitch, with the celebrity wife, fashion range and advert appearances. Whilst he may not have been England’s best player of the decade, he was certainly the most famous.

In his 20-year career, Beckham has always managed to maintain a squeaky-clean persona- with a good public image and the general consensus among middle-aged women that he was a “nice man” and a good role-model for their child. He even won an OBE and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

But Beckham’s career has not always been plain sailing. At one stage he was the most hated footballer in Britain, after being sent off for England in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina. This pathetic, girly, kick-out at Diego Simone contributed to England being knocked out of the tournament, and left Beckham in need of some good PR.

decided to commit a silly foul and get himself booked, knowing he would miss the next game through injury anyway. The incident was seen a response to the media calling Beckham stupid, but was admitting to the foul really a clever thing to do David?

Beckham’s time at Manchester United was largely seen to be finished after his high-profile fall out with Alex Ferguson in 2003. The so-called ‘boot-gate’ saw the temper of the fiery Scott reach boiling point and Beckham was soon sold to Real Madrid. The media sided with the England captain in this incident, but do you remember Beckham wearing his hair back, with excessive stitching in his eyebrow just to show who the victim was? Nice bit of acting there Becks.

Although Goldenballs did inspire his LA Galaxy side to successive MLS cups, his time in America didn’t completely go to plan, with the London-born forward being sent off on several occasions and was once seen to be grabbing the neck of an opponent. This two-footed tackle against Seattle was another low.

Beckham was a great player for both club and country, and it is right to celebrate his achievements- but it is worth remembering he wasn’t a saint either.

Will Mata Follow @footyfriends