Many years later, Scaloni spoke about his fight with Beckham at a Spanish soccer match and said who was to blame

Lionel Scaloni, the current head coach of the Argentina national soccer team, is remembered for his character and determination during his playing career. He earned the affection of Deportivo La Coruña fans for his relentless efforts on the pitch and his ability to adapt to various positions to support the team. One of the most notable displays of his Argentine tenacity occurred during a match against David Beckham at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

This memorable clash took place twenty-one years ago, on December 14, 2003. It was Beckham's inaugural season with Real Madrid, and Deportivo, which would eventually reach the Champions League semifinals that year, was deeply engaged in the fight for the La Liga title. The match seemed destined for a 1-1 draw, with Ronaldo Nazário giving Real Madrid the lead just before halftime, and Walter Pandiani equalizing shortly after coming on as a substitute for Diego Tristán in the 63rd minute.

The Tension of the Game

As the game neared its conclusion, Raúl scored the decisive goal for Real Madrid, putting them ahead 2-1 with just five minutes left on the clock. This late goal sparked intense frustration among Deportivo players, particularly Scaloni, who found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with Beckham. This iconic moment resonated with fans both in A Coruña and Argentina, where Beckham has not always been a favored figure.

Reflecting on the incident years later, Scaloni remarked, "That was my fault. That altercation, if you can call it that, stemmed from the anger of conceding a goal with a minute and a half left in such a crucial match for us, as we were fighting for the top spots in the league. In my frustration, I was looking for something that wasn't there... It didn't make sense. Twenty years later, I realize I was the one in the wrong," he recalled during an interview on the AFA's YouTube channel.

Reunion in Miami

This week, Scaloni and Beckham had a chance to reconnect in Miami, where the Argentina national team has been training ahead of their trip to Venezuela. "We saw each other again and exchanged greetings. It was all very friendly," he noted in an interview where he also reminisced about the accomplishments of Deportivo during his playing days.

"Competing against Real Madrid, we even beat them. I didn’t have the quality to play for that team, but I did my job, sometimes well and sometimes poorly, like on that day," he joked. "At that time, Deportivo and Valencia were competing, and we were ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona," he concluded.

• Scaloni is celebrated for his character and adaptability during his playing days with Deportivo La Coruña.
• The iconic moment with David Beckham occurred on December 14, 2003, during a crucial La Liga match.
• Scaloni expressed regret over his reaction to conceding a late goal, acknowledging his frustration.
• Scaloni and Beckham recently reunited in Miami, with a friendly exchange.
• Scaloni humorously reflected on Deportivo's competitive spirit against top teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona.