I played at the World Cup and in the Champions League and for one of the biggest teams in sports, Manchester United. But only once in my career did I really feel: this is a once in a life-time opportunity. That was in 2000, when I was part of Team USA at the Sydney Olympics.

I was only 21 but, even at that age, I remember thinking just how enormous and special it was.

It wasn’t like representing the USMNT – which I did 121 times. Over in Sydney, I felt part of something bigger. Something very powerful.

I remember hearing guys on the 1992 ‘Dream Team’ say similar: Yes you can win an NBAchampionship. Yes, you can win MVP. But a gold medal? That’s different. The current USA basketball team is one game away from gold and their own piece of history.

LeBron James and Co have come under fire in Paris – for staying in a luxury hotel rather than the Olympic village, for enjoying a party before their quarterfinal. And for narrowly beating Serbia.

LeBron James and USA basketball have a chance for Olympic gold later on Saturday

DailyMail.Com columnist Tim Howard

The only fact that matters, though? They are on pace for another gold medal.

So they should forget the criticism and so should Noah Lyles. The sprinter has been hammered for talking too much, for celebrating too much and for enjoying himself much before races.

Sure, there is a certain arrogance about US athletes. But that is what has propelled so many of us to greatness. That is a key reason why the US sits top of the medal table.

So I don’t mind athletes being brash and loud. I’m okay with the talking and the confidence. Why?

You can’t be the best in the world without believing you are the best in the world. And no one will ever convince me otherwise.

We call it arrogance but, really, it’s an undying self-belief that most people don’t possess. And it’s something you need.

You cannot ascend to the top of the mountain and remain humble. We tell people to keep their feet on the ground. But with Kevin Durant or Steph Curry or LeBron, we are talking about the best of the best ever to lace them up. They didn’t get that way by being reserved. Or staying in their box. Lyles is no different.

Noah Lyles won 100m gold but the vultures were ready when he got bronze in the 200m

He is in a sport that feeds off self-promotion and he has figured out how to turn his personality into dollar signs. He has realized that if you are polarizing, all publicity is good.

I like him, I can see why many don’t. But those critics still watch him because they want to see him fail. I’ve been in that frying pan, I’ve had naysayers and when you’re on top, it fuels your fire. But athletes walk a tightrope every day.

If you talk and you back it up, fans will applaud you. But if you stumble or fall, fans will criticize you.

That’s how it works – as Lyles found out the hard way. No matter that he won 100m gold. The vultures were waiting as soon as he finished third in the 200m.

But Letsile Tebogo, who beat Lyles to gold in Paris, said something interesting after the race. He said he could never be the face of track and field. Because he doesn’t talk out of turn. He doesn’t put himself out there.

He just runs his race. That isn’t Lyles. That isn’t this 2024 Dream Team. That isn’t America. And my message to our Olympic stars? Don’t change. In any way, shape or form.

Imane Khelif celebrates with her Olympic gold after facing intense scrutiny in Paris

I have been discriminated against but I couldn’t even attempt to put myself in the shoes of Algerian Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting. The two boxers have been pilloried in Paris.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers but all I know? They are being vilified as if they have done something wrong. When they are brilliant athletes who have done nothing wrong.

No one should be criticized for who they are or for wanting to further their career. For wanting to win a gold medal under existing IOC rules.