David Beckham has discussed a period of depression he went through in the late 1990s, saying he faced a “tough” time after being sent off in the 1998 World Cup.
The former football star, 48, became a target for abuse when he received a red card in the game against Argentina.Following the match, a pub hanged an effigy of the star outside its premises and during Manchester United’s first away game the following season, at West Ham, the team bus was pelted with stones and pint glasses.Speaking to The Telegraph about whether this had led to a period of depression, Beckham said: “Yes, and it’s something I would never admit, because I was brought up by a dad who, if I said, ‘dad, I’m feeling a bit low today,’ he’d have said, ‘boy, get on with it’.“But I was (depressed).
I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t sleeping. I was living day to day thinking about what was coming next. People were saying I should leave the country.
It was tough.”Discussing whether he has ever sought therapy, Beckham added: “No. People have mentioned it, and I think therapy is a good idea – in this day and age you hear more about sports stars going to have therapy, and how much it helps.“But I was brought up in the East End of London.
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