David Beckham was once the subject of chilling death threat from Macedonian captain
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England are due to face North Macedonia in their Euro 2024 qualifying bout on Monday evening, but the players may be wary after David Beckham's experience.
Cast your minds back to 2003 when England, then managed by Sven-Göran Eriksson faced off against North Macedonia in their Euro 2004 qualifier.
It was a tense affair in Skopje which saw Georgi Hristov put the hosts in front before Wayne Rooney drew the Three Lions level.
David Beckham's penalty around the hour-mark proved to be the winning goal, but the former Manchester United midfielder didn't have the most comfortable of evenings.
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Speaking after the game, the England skipper revealed how North Macedonia captain Artim Sakiri told him: "You won't get out of here alive."
Beckham also explained how he and his teammates were spat at, while opposition fans burned England flags on the terraces.
However, Sakiri was having none of it, insisting there was no danger to the England players.
He said at the time (quotes via Chronicle Live): "People say things like: 'I'll kill you' during the games, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.
"Did anything happen to Beckham? Did he die?"
Sakiri also criticised the way English players behave during international fixtures, claiming they "swear all the time".
"Players in England swear all the time during matches - every second word is a swear word," he added.
"I just wanted to congratulate England on their victory. I didn't manage to talk to Beckham after the game and I don't want to talk to him now."
Just over 20 years on, England's supposed 'golden generation' travel to Skopje on their path to Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate's men head into the game as heavy favourites, having beaten North Macedonia 7-0 at Wembley back in June.
However, it has been a while since England played the Balkans side away from home, and it could give the hosts a much-needed advantage.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: David Beckham, England, Football, Euro 2024
