By Kevin Moseley
Sportlive
Ariel Ortega threw a comforting arm around David Beckham on Tuesday night and asked for understanding and protection for England's confused star.
Argentina's playmaker, who will compete with Beckham for midfield control at Wembley on Wednesday night, leapt to the Manchester United man's defence in the wake of his bust-up at Old Trafford.
"I think it is important for people in this country to realise David is a great player and needs to be protected," said Ortega. "There is no point in giving him criticism."
Ortega, now playing for Italian club Parma, was amazed by the abuse Beckham received after being red-carded against Argentina during the 1998 World Cup in France.
"I don't know all of what happened, but I know he has been punished for his mistake," added Ortega. In our next match against Holland I head-butted their goalkeeper Edwin Van de Saar and was sent off. The Dutch went on to win, but I did not receive the criticism that Beckham had. For me there was no more beautiful memory during the 1998 World Cup than our game with England, especially in the first half. In the second it was a lot more tense and we were tired.
"I don't know a lot about English players but I like Beckham and Michael Owen, although I know he is unfit. I'm also a big fan of the English spirit."
On Wednesday night's clash, Ortega added: "There is never a small or unimportant fixture between our two countries. And this game is important to us because in a month's time we will start playing World Cup qualifiers. I am also aware that this will be one of the last internationals at Wembley. That makes me proud to being playing there."
