LA Galaxy star David Beckham says his sending off in the 1998 World Cup was the making of him.

The former Manchester United midfielder told the Mail on Sunday: "For that experience to come as early as it did in my career might have been a blessing in disguise.

"I look back and wonder if I hadn’t gone through that, would I be as strong as I am as a person and a player, and would I have had the career I’ve had?

"Every time you go through something and have a tough time it motivates you. I always want to prove people wrong and show I deserve to be where I’ve been and where I’ve played."