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‘I’m an Everton Legend – I Regret Refusing to Shake Hands with Beckham and Ronaldo
Duncan Ferguson Reflects on Infamous Beckham Snub and Regrets Cold Treatment of Ronaldo
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, David Beckham wasn’t just the face of the Premier League—he was arguably the most famous footballer in the world.
His talent, fashion-forward image, and high-profile relationship with pop star Victoria Beckham made him a global icon, known far beyond the football pitch.
Given his superstar status, many players would’ve jumped at the chance to share a moment with him, especially after a Premier League title win. But in 2003, that wasn’t the case for Everton legend Duncan Ferguson.
When Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions at Goodison Park after a 2-1 win over Everton, Beckham reached out to shake Ferguson’s hand.
The fiery Scotsman wasn’t having it. Instead, he bluntly told Beckham to “f*** off” and walked away without a second thought.
Speaking to the Mirror, Ferguson recently opened up about that moment—and why he now regrets it.
Known as one of football’s toughest characters, Ferguson built a reputation for being intimidating both on and off the pitch.
He once sent a burglar to the hospital after a break-in at his home, and even served time in prison for headbutting Raith Rovers defender John McStay during a match.
But Ferguson now admits that part of that persona was self-crafted. He intentionally skipped post-match niceties like handshakes to maintain his intimidating aura.
“After the final whistle, I’d walk straight off the pitch. I wouldn’t go near anyone,” Ferguson said. “Maybe I played up to the image a bit—being the big hardman people were afraid of.”
Recalling the Beckham incident, he said: “David Beckham shouted, ‘Hey Dunc’, and put his hand out.
I just turned round and said, ‘f*** off’. Then I turned away, like, ‘Why would I shake your hand?’”
Ferguson now looks back at that moment—and others—with some regret. Not only did he brush off Beckham, who left Manchester United that summer for Real Madrid, but he also ignored a young Cristiano Ronaldo, who would later become one of the greatest footballers of all time.
“It was stupid,” he admitted. “Beckham was a Premier League legend, world-class, won everything. And there I was, blanking him.
Looking back now, I think, ‘What an idiot I was.’ I should’ve asked for his shirt for my kids.”
He added: “My son idolised Ronaldo, and I didn’t even shake his hand. Daft things like that stick with you.”
Ferguson concluded with a half-hearted apology to Beckham: “Sorry, David—although he probably couldn’t care less. He won’t give two s***s!”
