However, Beckham believes that his team should still exploit the rules to their advantage just as Michael Owen did in winning England’s penalty to make it 1-1 four years ago.

Beckham says there is no bad blood between himself and Simeone, especially having swapped shirts with him following a Champions League game between their two clubs.

‘‘Of course I have forgiven him,’’ he said, with a wry smile. ‘‘We had the famous handshake at Old Trafford and I made sure that I swapped shirts with him after the game.

‘‘I’ve even dreamed about it. Or rather, had nightmares. People will always talk about it but hopefully they will soon talk about what happens on Friday instead.

‘‘After all, I definitely won’t be doing it again. I don’t want to go through all that again. "While the abuse received by Beckham and his family after his 1998 dismissal was the lowest point of his career, his incredible strength of character since then has stood him in good stead.

‘‘I have always said I did not want it to happen but it has made me the person and player I am today,’’ he said.

If Beckham has forgiven Simeone, he has certainly not forgotten the way in which the Argentina squad effectively rubbed England’s noses in defeat in the car park after the game.

Even though the England players and their families were just a few yards away, the Argentineans tore off their shirts aboard their team coach and twirled them around their heads as they danced and sang.

It is a moment which is etched deeply into the minds of every England player there, with David Seaman and Sol Campbell both having recently expressed their determination to exact revenge on the pitch.

Beckham also issued an apology to the England fans after the players failed to acknowledge them at the end of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Sweden in Saitama.