David Beckham Meets Old Foe Simeone in Miami

David Beckham met Diego Simeone in Miami, rekindling memories of their 1998 World Cup encounter.

What happened?

The two football legends were pictured together, sharing a warm embrace, during Argentina's fixture against Cape Verde in Miami.

The reunion took place in a city that has become Beckham's professional home since the launch of his MLS franchise, Inter Miami.

The infamous night in Saint-Etienne

The history between the two icons dates back to the quarter-final of France '98, where England faced Argentina in a high-stakes clash, with Beckham being sent off for a petulant kick at Simeone.

The Argentinian midfielder admitted in the recent 'Beckham' documentary on Netflix that he played up the contact to ensure the referee took action, leading to England's exit from the tournament on penalties.

Redemption and respect

Beckham eventually rebuilt his reputation by helping Manchester United secure a historic Treble just one year later, with Sir Alex Ferguson protecting his star midfielder and fostering a siege mentality at Old Trafford.

Simeone has transitioned into one of the world's most successful managers at Atletico Madrid, while Beckham has moved into club ownership, recently bringing Lionel Messi to the United States.

A new chapter in the States

The meeting in Florida serves as a reminder of how much time has passed since that dramatic night in Saint-Etienne, with both figures now influencing the sport from the touchline and the boardroom rather than the pitch.

England booked their place in the quarter-finals after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico, while Argentina are preparing for a difficult knockout assignment against an ambitious Egypt side led by veteran star Mohamed Salah.

The photograph of the pair suggests that any lingering animosity from their playing days has long since evaporated, as they both enjoy happier moments at the World Cup.