David Beckham praises Turkish football: ‘I’m a big fan’

David Beckham, the iconic former footballer and current owner of Inter Miami, recently shared his admiration for Turkish football in an interview with CNBC-e.

Beckham, who achieved legendary status at top European clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and PSG, discussed his experiences with and respect for Turkish football.

“I’ve played in Türkiye a few times. I even missed a penalty there, but we still won the match,” Beckham recalled. “I’m a huge fan of Turkish football. I admire the players because it’s always challenging to play in Türkiye.”

Beckham also highlighted the power of football, distancing himself from politics.

“I became a footballer because I stay away from politics. I’m not a politician or a scientist, and I avoid all forms of politics. But the one thing I know is the power of the game and the strength of the Premier League economy.

Football is the largest and most beloved sport in the world, and that speaks for itself. I hope this continues because sport, particularly football, can change people’s lives. I’ve seen it happen with children and people worldwide.”

Beckham-Ozalan Incident: A 2003 Memory from the Türkiye vs England Match

David Beckham’s connection to Turkish football is also marked by a famous incident from the 2003 Euro 2004 qualifiers, in which Türkiye faced England. The match featured a tense exchange between Beckham and Turkish defender Alpay Ozalan, which quickly became a media sensation in both countries.

The conflict began during the first leg of the qualifier on April 2, 2003, when Türkiye played England in Sunderland and lost 2-0. A heated confrontation between Beckham and Ozalan on the pitch set the stage for a dramatic second leg.

In the return match at Istanbul’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Beckham missed a crucial penalty after slipping during his attempt. Ozalan, who had already clashed with Beckham earlier in the game, approached the England captain after the miss and angrily confronted him. The situation escalated further at halftime when Ozalan reportedly poked Beckham in the nose in the tunnel.

Despite the tension, both players were called into referee Pierluigi Collina’s office during the break, where they were calmed down.

“We had a productive conversation, and the issue ended there,” Ozalan later explained, although the incident continued to attract media attention.

Beckham shared his perspective, saying: “Before the match, I had warned my teammates about the slippery pitch. But when I took the penalty, I slipped as well. It was unbelievable.” He also revealed that Ozalan had cursed at him during the exchange, which angered him. “It wasn’t pleasant. I was frustrated, but Collina calmed me down. If I had reacted poorly, I could have damaged my reputation in front of everyone.”

The fallout from the incident affected Ozalan’s career in England. “The Turkish press was writing things that made it difficult for me, and the English media picked up on it too,” Ozalan said. Eventually, he left Aston Villa in January 2004 to join the South Korean club Incheon United.

Years later, the two players crossed paths in London, where Beckham expressed regret over the situation. “I didn’t expect things to escalate this much,” Beckham told Ozalan. “Football should remain on the pitch. I wish you success moving forward.”

While the on-field rivalry created a storm of controversy, both players eventually reconciled, proving that football, despite its intense moments, can foster respect and friendship between even the most bitter of rivals.