David Beckham had a merciless response to the England teammate who attempted to take an iconic free-kick against Greece

David Beckham went from villain to hero after his iconic free-kick against Greece and established himself as an England legend.

But his redeeming moment almost failed to materialize, which could have cost the Three Lions their place at the 2002 World Cup.

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Beckham was public enemy No. 1 in the eyes of England fans after he was eliminated by Argentina in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup and was sent off for a testy kick on Diego Simeone.

But three years later he etched himself into English folklore when his last-gasp free-kick goal sent his team to the finals in Japan and South Korea.

During the October international break 23 years ago, England needed just a point from their final World Cup qualifier against Greece to automatically qualify.

A defeat would have seen them face Ukraine in a play-off, with Germany moving into top spot in Group 9.

And just seconds before the clash at Old Trafford, that appeared to be the case as Greece led 2-1 before England were awarded a free-kick from around 30 yards out.

It led to the emergence of a man ready to carry his country's expectations on his shoulders and become the hero they so desperately needed: Teddy Sheringham.

Sheringham had already scored early in the game against Greece and was full of confidence to turn the theater of screams into a theater of dreams.

However, when the Manchester United icon tried to get his hands on the ball, Beckham received a merciless reaction. The midfielder then threw the ball into the top left corner, sparking celebrations.

Sheringham – Beckham's former team-mate at United – recalled the incident when speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone in 2021: “I had already scored to make it 1-1 in the game so I was thrilled.”

“I felt three meters tall and had won the free kick towards the end of the game by making the most of a push from the defender.”

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“Becks had probably taken five or six free kicks in that game and they had gone everywhere.

“He hit the wall, he hit row Z, and when we got the last piece I actually said to him, 'Becks, I'll take that.'

“He just said, ‘Go away, Ted. You can't even reach from here.'

“He was right. I had already taken the odd free kick in my career, but I saw Becks training every day, so I knew he was better.

“If you had to bet money on someone throwing the ball into the top corner in the last minute of a game, you would bet it on him.”

“He told me to go, in the most polite way he could think of at the time, and ended up scoring. That’s what top players are all about.”

Beckham himself has admitted that his goal against Greece was the turning point in his England career, stressing that he finally felt he had made amends for his red card.

He remarked: “That was the moment the England fans forgave me for what had happened a few years earlier.”

“For me personally, it was compensation for what had happened – because until then there was always a cloud hanging over the expulsion.”

He added: “With that goal against Greece I felt that the real England fans and the fans who didn't like me for a few years suddenly said: 'Okay, that's all, we can move on now.'”

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England are now preparing to face Greece again, although this time there isn't as much at stake.

The Three Lions welcome the Euro 2004 winners to Wembley Stadium on Wednesday evening – live on talkSPORT – in the third round of the Nations League.

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