What I told Beckham after he received red card against Argentina in 1998 World Cup - Tony Adams

Tony Adams has revealed how he jokingly told David Beckham that he was sent off in England’s defeat to Argentina back in 1998.

Beckham, who was a youngster then was given his marching orders by referee Kim Milton Nielsen for kicking out at Diego Simeone shorty after half-time in the last-16 clash.

Glenn Hoddle’s ten-man side managed to hold on until the end of extra-time only to lose 4-3 in a dreaded penalty shootout after the 2-2 draw at Saint Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Beckham got his revenge with a spot-kick to beat Argentina as captain of the Three Lions in 2002.

Discussing Beckham’s red card with Sky Sports, England’s captain in 1998, Adams, explained: ‘I was a little bit envious of David because he was crying and it took me 29 years to shed a tear.

He was really upset, he was sad and he was shedding a tear and I thought, “Wow!”. Normal reaction.

‘David was there, sobbing like a baby and I just put an arm round him and I made it into a bit of a joke.

‘I said, “Hey David mate, listen, you’re a young man and you’ve got plenty of time, you’re playing for one of the greatest clubs on the planet. Go back to Man United”.

‘They won the treble that next year so I wish I didn’t say it but I said, “Go back in, you haven’t let anyone down, you’re a young man, you’re going to have loads more World Cups but, actually, you’ve blown it for me. That’s the last opportunity I’ll ever have and you’ve really blown it”.

‘And I remember him looking up at me, going: “Are you joking here, mate?!”. I made it into a bit of a joke and put my arm round him.

‘It was a really sad moment for him in his career and one that, when you talk to him now, it still haunts him a bit.

‘He’s a very proud human being and a proud guy and he loves his country. To do that at a critical time… of my career was outrageous!’