“I by no means confronted anyone that had what I name ‘disguised energy’ as a lot as him. I saved his free-kicks in coaching and felt the ball virtually forcing my palms open” David Seaman on David Beckham’s hidden attributes

May 25, 2025

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When David Beckham known as time on his England profession in 2009, his 115 caps had been probably the most an outfield participant had ever earned, sitting behind solely Peter Shilton within the all-time standings.

The previous Manchester United man’s Three Lions journey started in 1996, when the 21-year-old made his worldwide debut in a World Cup qualifier in opposition to Moldova, two weeks after his gorgeous midway line aim in opposition to Wimbledon on the opening weekend of the 1996/97 Premier League season.

Beckham joined an England squad that had simply reached the semi-finals of Euro 96, however had been below new administration within the type of Glenn Hoddle.

David Seaman on Beckham’s early England days

David Beckham of Manchester United, October 1996

David Beckham in 1996, the 12 months he made his England debut (Picture credit score: Alamy)

It was clear that Beckham had a giant future forward of himself, nevertheless it was obvious to one of many Three Lions’ established stars that the youngest wanted early reassurance.

“I went as much as him to welcome him to the squad, as a result of he appeared a bit nervous and scared,” former England goalkeeper David Seaman tells FourFourTwo. “However in his first session, you could possibly see his high quality.

Sir Bobby Charlton presents David Beckham with his 100th England cap.

Beckham would go on to win 115 England caps (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)

Seaman and Beckham can be England regulars collectively for the following six years, enjoying collectively 37 occasions below Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Sven-Goran Eriksson and caretaker Howard Wilkinson.

With the pair additionally on both aspect of that period’s finest Premier League rivalry, Arsenal stopper Seaman acquired to know Beckham’s fashion of play nicely and says that Beckham had one trait that no-one else of his period may examine to.

“I by no means confronted anyone that had what I name ‘disguised energy’ as a lot as him,” Seaman provides. “I bear in mind going through a few free-kicks in coaching and feeling the ball virtually forcing my palms open, he had a lot energy.

“Together with his side-foot, he was capable of disguise it, too – it wasn’t clear which aspect he was going for.”

David Seaman in action for England against Sweden in 1998.

David Seaman gained 75 England caps throughout a 13-year Three Lions profession (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)

Seaman gained the final of his 75 caps in October 2002, ending his 13-year worldwide profession that noticed him play 16 occasions in main tournaments for his nation

Beckham, in the meantime, would proceed for an additional seven years, enjoying in 5 main tournaments and utilizing his ‘disguised energy’ to web 17 England objectives, with the midfielder occurring to be ranked at no.8 in FourFourTwo’s record of the perfect England gamers of all-time final 12 months.

“I by no means confronted anyone that had what I name ‘disguised energy’ as a lot as him. I saved his free-kicks in coaching and felt the ball virtually forcing my palms open” David Seaman on David Beckham’s hidden attributes

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