England defender Harry Maguire has expressed his gratitude towards former Manchester United star David Beckham, who recently reached out to offer support amidst the troubling times Maguire has been facing. Maguire has been subjected to abuse from fans across the nation due to his difficult spell at Old Trafford, with the criticism reaching its peak during England’s friendly match against Scotland last month.
During the game at Hampden Park, Maguire was heavily jeered at by the Scottish supporters after scoring an own goal in England’s 3-1 victory. Despite brushing it off as “banter,” Maguire’s mother publicly defended her son, weary of the continuous abuse he has faced. In this challenging period, former England captain David Beckham personally extended his support to Maguire, who has lost his place in the United defense and captaincy under Erik ten Hag’s reign.
Beckham, who himself experienced tough times during his England career, notably after his red card in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina, reached out to Maguire three weeks ago following the Scotland game. Maguire expressed his appreciation for Beckham’s gesture, highlighting how he looked up to Beckham as a role model during his younger days.
Maguire stated, “Unfortunately, I didn’t end up on the right wing scoring and assisting as many goals as he has. But he was a big role model when I was growing up.” He further emphasized the significance of Beckham’s support, describing it as touching and classy.
Reflecting on their conversation, Maguire mentioned that Beckham reminded him of his past achievements and significant moments in his career. He believes that during difficult times, it is crucial to draw from past experiences and the journey one has undergone. Maguire acknowledged the ups and downs that come with a football career, especially as the captain of one of the world’s biggest clubs for a considerable period.
Having recently watched Beckham’s documentary, Maguire expressed his astonishment at the challenges Beckham faced during his time, with fellow footballer Gary Neville highlighting his resilience. Beckham has been a tremendous role model for many footballers, particularly those from Maguire’s era.
As Maguire prepares for England’s friendly against Australia at Wembley on Friday, he finds solace in Beckham’s support and the reminder of his own achievements. The experience has provided him with reassurance and strength during this testing phase in his career.
