The former England captain, David Beckham, had 115 appearances for his country and 394 for Manchester United. A new Netflix documentary on Beckham, titled “Beckham”, provides insight into the life of one of the most iconic English footballers of all time. The documentary, made by his production company Studio 99, features Beckham reflecting on his journey from Waltham Forest under-12s to becoming a household name. It includes contributions from his family, former teammates, and Sir Alex Ferguson. Here are a few key points from the documentary:
– Sir Alex Ferguson found it difficult to keep Beckham grounded due to his rising fame and celebrity lifestyle. Ferguson wanted Beckham to focus on his football career and have a more low-key personal life. However, Beckham’s fame and marriage to Spice Girls singer Victoria Adams made it challenging to keep him grounded.
– Beckham always wanted to play for Manchester United. He joined the club as a trainee in 1991, made his first-team debut in 1992, and signed his first professional contract in 1993. Beckham’s memorable goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996 catapulted him into the spotlight.
– Beckham attributes his success, including winning six Premier League titles and being part of the historic 1999 treble-winning squad, to the “family” atmosphere at Manchester United. He considers Ferguson a “father figure” and praises his influence on his life since the age of 12.
– Beckham still regrets the red card he received during the 1998 World Cup match against Argentina. England ultimately lost the match, and Beckham became a target of public criticism. He admits that the incident changed his life and affected him emotionally, with his wife, Victoria, describing him as “clinically depressed and absolutely broken” during that period.
– The documentary addresses the famous dressing room row between Beckham and Ferguson in 2003. Ferguson kicked a boot that accidentally hit Beckham’s eye. While Ferguson claimed it was just a graze, a kit man suggested that it may have been “stage managed” for effect.
– Beckham’s move to Real Madrid in 2003 strained his relationship with Ferguson further. Beckham reflects on the pressure of joining a new club with a manager who didn’t want him. Off the pitch, allegations of an affair added more strain to the family.
– Beckham’s retirement from professional football came sooner than he expected. After a stint with Paris St-Germain in 2013, he announced his retirement four months later. Beckham admits to feeling physically drained and in pain towards the end of his career but emphasizes his deep love for the game.