Harry Maguire, the England and Manchester United defender, recently shared his appreciation for a heartwarming call from former footballer David Beckham, describing it as “classy” and “touching.” The unexpected call came three weeks ago as a gesture of support amid the backlash and criticism Maguire has faced from football fans.
Maguire, 30, endured a challenging period with fans directing harsh abuse his way. This experience, familiar to Beckham, who himself faced considerable scrutiny and criticism after his infamous red card during the 1998 World Cup, prompted the former football superstar to reach out to Maguire.
Beckham’s call came in the wake of England’s 3-1 victory over Scotland on September 12, a match in which Scottish fans subjected Maguire to a barrage of jeers and taunts. Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, and Maguire’s mother, Zoe, expressed their anger at the hostile atmosphere.
Maguire, reflecting on Beckham’s thoughtful gesture, stated, “It meant everything. 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.”
In the Scotland game, Maguire, who boasts 59 caps for England, inadvertently scored an own goal but otherwise put in a solid performance. He is currently part of Southgate’s squad for the upcoming friendly against Australia and a European Championship qualifier against Italy at London’s Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
David Beckham’s own experiences with relentless criticism and abuse were chronicled in a candid Netflix documentary titled “Beckham.” Both Beckham and his wife, Victoria, recounted the extent of the abuse they endured after the World Cup incident. The couple even received threats to kidnap their infant son, Brooklyn. An effigy of Beckham was hung in a pub, and rocks were thrown at Manchester United’s bus, all of which led Beckham to experience a deep depression.
Maguire watched the documentary and was surprised by the scale of abuse that Beckham had to endure. While he did not disclose many details of their conversation, Maguire emphasized that Beckham reminded him of the significant moments in his career and past experiences that could help him overcome tough times.
“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,” Maguire explained. “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, who faced a dip in form and lost his spot in Manchester United’s starting lineup last season, played a pivotal role in their recent thrilling victory over Brentford. He provided the assist for Scott McTominay’s last-minute winner, a performance that could help silence his critics.
While Maguire was linked with a potential move to West Ham during the transfer window, the deal did not come to fruition. Maguire emphasized the importance of regular game time in his career, acknowledging that he didn’t progress far enough in negotiations with West Ham.
Maguire remains focused on Manchester United and is determined to fight for his place. England leads Group C of Euro qualifying with 13 points from five games, with Italy, Ukraine, and North Macedonia each having seven points.
