Simeone reveals Becks admiration

Diego Simeone has revealed his admiration for England captain David Beckham.

Simeone was Beckham's worst enemy at the 1998 World Cup finals when the now England skipper was sent off for a petulant kick at the then Argentina captain.

Beckham was vilified by England fans for his part in the scuffle, but Simeone has been impressed by the way the Real Madrid midfielder has bounced back from that setback.

Simeone told The Times: "If that had been [Paul] Ince instead of Beckham, would you all have made such a big deal out of it?

"It was bad enough for me. I can't imagine what he went through. That's what I remember and respect most - the great strength he showed in bouncing back.

"You have to remember he was 23, just a kid.

"The media persecuted him, they killed him and yet he rose again. That's the measure of a man.

"The other stuff - the marketing, the hype, the adverts - that's just manufactured. He is special because of the way he came back."