David Beckham sends message of support to Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire has revealed David Beckham reached out to him to give him a little pep talk after a difficult few months for both club and country. Maguire lost the Manchester United captaincy in the summer. He got some rough treatment as well from fans after he scored that own goal in last month's friendly against Scotland. At the time, the England boss Gareth Southgate condemned Maguire's treatment by fans and the press as a joke. In his recent Netflix documentary, Beckham spoke about how he himself suffered from the abuse he received from fans. I actually spoke with David about three weeks ago after the Scotland game. He got in touch with me so it was really nice of him and I really appreciated that. He reminded me of the career that I've had today and the big moments that I've had in my career. I think, like I say, when you're going through tough moments you've got to think on past experiences and past memories and where you've gone in your career and what you've been through. In every career, like I say, every career is so up and down and especially when you reach what I've reached in terms of being the captain of the biggest club in the world for three and a half years. He's been in that position and he knows what it's like. Obviously, I watched the documentary and I couldn't believe how much he went through at the time. In the documentary, Gary Neville speaks a lot about how resilient he is as a person and I think he's been a huge role model for many footballers growing up, especially in my era. For myself, I'm an experienced player now and I know how to block it out and I know how to focus and concentrate and get through the games. Obviously, it probably affects my family and my friends more than it actually affects myself, especially when I'm playing in the game. I've had so many great nights and so many great memories playing for my country and playing for my club as well. No, it's something you play football to create memories, not just for myself but for my family and friends. Obviously, the last year has been a little bit difficult for them to probably enjoy the games as they did in the previous eight or nine years of my career. That's football, that's the way it works. A career you don't just keep playing at the top and not get any criticism. That doesn't happen unless you're the best in the world and that's probably Ronaldo and Messi, even though they still get criticised as well. No, it's expected. It's a career of ups and downs with the way the game is going, especially for defenders and goalkeepers nowadays. Every goal that you concede is analysed. It can be tough at moments but you've got to stay resilient and you know that the next game is only around the corner and you've got to prove yourself again.