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          David Beckham: Red card against Argentina was a defining moment

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          • ESPN staffMar 18, 2016, 12:13 PM ET

          David Beckham says getting sent off for England in the 1998 World Cup was one of the top five moments of his career.

          Beckham, 40, was asked by GQ magazine to pick out his top five career moments, and surprisingly named his red card against Argentina in St Etienne.

          "Top five career moments: One of them would be getting the red card in 1998 because it was a moment where it was difficult for me as a player and as a person, but it made me mature very quickly," Beckham said.

          "Other than that, I would say: signing for Manchester United when I was 15-years-old, winning the Youth Cup with Manchester United -- and that was something that had not been done for many years -- and in 1999 we won the Treble for Manchester United, we won the Premiership, we won the FA Cup, and we won the Champions League.

          But playing for England always seemed to be particularly important to Beckham, and it was little surprise that the most capped outfield played in the country's history saved a special mention for the Three Lions.

          "Probably number one has to be being given the captain's armband for England. I think every young kid wants to represent their country, and I was lucky enough to represent my country and also to be captain of my country. That's probably my proudest moment in the game."