Netflix's new release, 'BECKHAM', is a four-hour, four-part, documentary series tracing the life and legend of international football player David Beckham. The docu-series focuses on his football beginnings, his marriage to Victoria Beckham, aka the iconic Posh Spice from global music phenomenon The Spice Girls, his struggles following his World Cup red card, and his journey to where he is today- an international football icon.
The documentary was insightful and revelatory, showing us the Beckham family like we'd never seen before. Here are five revelations that 'Beckham' gave us about the celebrity family.
1. David Beckham's Manager Did Not Approve Of His Romance With Victoria Beckham
Beckham first found fame as a football star when he scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996, playing for Manchester United, then managed by Sir Alex Ferguson. An important figure in Beckham's life, according to the BBC, "Ferguson had growing concerns about his celebrity lifestyle and his relationship with Spice Girls singer Victoria Adams," better known as Posh Spice (and now known as Victoria Beckham).
The pair, who were popularly known as 'Posh and Becks', have been married since 1999, and have three children: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper.
2. Stage Managed Stitches?
Ultimately, the conflict between Ferguson and Beckham got too severe, with Ferguson kicking "a boot at the midfielder" after Manchester United lost to Arsenal in the FA Cup in 2003. Beckham maintained that he had been severely injured, with a plaster being put above his eye shortly after it; whereas Ferguson maintained that it was nothing serious.
Kit man Albert Morgan alleged that the incident was nothing serious, stating that "the only thing I will say is that I think it was stage managed because it wasn't even worth a stitch."
3. Nightmare In Madrid
The Beckhams' time in Madrid when David Beckham was playing for the Spanish football team Real Madrid was nothing short of a nightmare. By that point, David Beckham's celebrity had reached unparalleled heights, souring his relationship with his old manager and wreaking havoc on his relationship with his new one.
Allegations that Beckham had an affair drove Victoria and David Beckham further apart. Their children were harassed by photographers on their way to school, and Victoria stated that she "resented" her husband for the attention.
4. The World Cup Red Card
In a moment remembered widely across generations by football fans, David Beckham was given a red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. According to the BBC, "England ultimately lost the match on penalties, leading Beckham to become public enemy number one."
The loss had a massive negative impact on David Beckham's mental health, with Victoria Beckham, who was pregnant during that time, describing the abuse her husband got after the red card as being trying times for her family.
5. David Beckham's Love For Football
It would be obvious that, as a footballer, David Beckham would love to play football. But the football star's love for the sport has been lifelong since the time he could walk. His professional retirement from the sport came much earlier than he wanted, which was hard on him.
Speaking about his love for the game, he said, "I loved the game more than anyone has ever loved it. I know it's not true but I think I loved it more than anyone."
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