England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire received a heartfelt call from former footballer David Beckham three weeks ago, offering words of consolation and encouragement in the wake of harsh criticism from fans. Maguire, who has been the target of severe abuse, described Beckham’s gesture as “classy” and “touching.”
Beckham, who had his share of intense scrutiny during his career, could empathize with Maguire’s situation. The call followed England’s 3-1 victory over Scotland on September 12, a match in which Maguire faced hostile jeering from Scottish fans, leading to strong reactions from both England’s manager Gareth Southgate and Maguire’s mother, Zoe.
Maguire expressed his gratitude for the unexpected call, saying, “I’ve spoken throughout my career about David Beckham being someone I looked up to and watched when I was a young boy. He was a big role model when I was growing up. It shows how classy he is to reach out to me. It was something I really appreciate. It was touching really.”
Maguire, who boasts 59 caps for the England national team, is currently part of Southgate’s squad for an upcoming friendly against Australia and a European Championship qualifier against Italy.
In a recent documentary detailing his life, Beckham, along with wife Victoria, recounted the abuse and threats they faced after his infamous red card during the 1998 World Cup. They received threats to kidnap their son Brooklyn, and an effigy of Beckham was hung in a pub, with rocks thrown at Manchester United’s bus. Beckham revealed that this tumultuous period led to a deep depression.
Maguire watched the documentary and was struck by the level of abuse that Beckham endured. While he didn’t delve into the specifics of their conversation, he noted that Beckham reminded him of his career’s journey and the significant moments he has experienced.
Maguire said, “I think when you’re going through tough moments, you’ve got to go through past experiences and past memories and where you’ve gone in your career and what you’ve been through. Every career is so up and down, especially when you reach what I’ve reached, in terms of being the captain of the biggest club in the world for three-and-a-half years. He’s been in that position and knows what it’s like.”
Maguire faced a challenging season last year, losing his place in Manchester United’s starting lineup. However, he recently made an impact by setting up a crucial goal against Brentford in a thrilling last-minute victory, silencing some of his critics.
Despite being linked to West Ham in the transfer window, the move did not come to fruition. Maguire emphasized his desire for regular playing time and his commitment to Manchester United, stating, “My full focus is still on Manchester United; I want to fight for my place, but of course, game time is really important to me.”
In European Championship qualifying, England leads Group C with 13 points from five games, with Italy, Ukraine, and North Macedonia each having seven points.
