I have known of David Beckham for a long time, since I was a football obsessed youngster starting secondary school. When he hit that free kick from the half way line in 1996 I was 12 and remember staying up late to watch it on Match of the Day, before smart phones and YouTube highlights. This new Netflix 4 part documentary was actually very nostalgic for me, having grown up through the times of his football success and realising that much of the stories and the footage when he was in Madrid and LA, I was not so aware of – in the way that an obsessed teenager could be today, know with the accessibility of the internet you can really know and watch everything almost instantly.

Dedication:

The first thing that really struck me about his journey is the sheer relentless dedication it took for him to do what he did. It was fascinating to see that modelled in his fathers dedication to this dream – it was pointed out in an interview that he Mr Beckham Snr had hundreds I think around 400 of young David’s football games recorded! I go weekly to my sons games, I have tried to record some attacks, but have never had much joy and so just pace up and down watching. To record them – they must of then watched them back to analyse, David says that his Dad was very hard on him and critical. Though as Mums will point out this may be almost cruel at time, this certainly paid off. Practicing free kicks and corners relentlessly – he did eventually become the best in the world at it. This does show the impact of a dedicated Father!

He had such a clear focus on achieving his goal (And his Dad’s dream) of playing for Man United that he could think of nothing else. It is so easy for people to knock and make fun of people in the public figure, though none of us have dedicated ourselves to being great at something in the way that he has done with football, he will rightly go down as one of the world greats. And from no where really just his boyish good looks and marriage to another naturally shy reluctant celebratory he has become one of the most famous names and brands of our generation. His dedication to being a super brand is also noticeable and not to be made fun of. It is testament to the type of dedicated person he is that after retiring from playing he then straight away set up plans to buy and run a team in America rather than taking time off. From watching interviews when he was a youth, you really see how he was just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary focus to be the best and he achieved!

I was also struck by his dedication to cleaning his kitchen haha. (Prehaps he has house help too) but it’s reinforced in me a realisation take sure our kitchen is spotless every night (it just does something for me)

Overcoming abuse:

After the world cup kick of 1998 I as a 14 year old was annoyed as well as the whole nation, but I had no idea that this young lad of just 23 (who’d only been playing at the top for 2 years) and already we thought he was the English footballing messiah! Was abused in the way that he was – receiving death threats, being followed, spat at, screamed at. And at away football matches for 6 months abused by rival fans. What on earth was wrong with the yobbish culture of 90’s Britain that we thought we could treat someone who had done so much for his club and country yet we want to ruin him over one petulant mistake! The lad was 23 – and on that night had learnt on the phone he was to become a Father. My goodness we raised them up to crucify them it seems. In the documentary an ex footballer rightly points out that thankfully we are all more mindful now in 2023 of people’s mental health and the culture has largely changed.

But the horrendous long term abuse that he and his wife suffered was damaging to the point where he said he still hasn’t forgiven himself for letting the country down – now 25 years later. I was taken by his reflections that he got through it largely by the example of his Dad. And his father who seems to be very close to, quickly told him that he had let no one down. But that pain is still in David. I have never been sent off in a World Cup Quarter Final, but I do know the grace, mercy and freedom found in Jesus Christ, I like so many others have found the peace to walk free from various pains and bondages in life only through Jesus. I was so aware at that moment of how blessed I am by this and how much he needs it.

In the ways that he has persisted and constantly bounced back to succeed I have a real respect and admiration for David. Particularly in how he made a catalytic impact to the winning end to the 2006/07 La Liga season winning the league in the Bernabeu (a stadium I have now enjoyed watching a game in myself) Made a big impact on me. And also the rise of LA Galaxy to win a league title there with a group of ‘very ordinary players’. He is someone who can really make an impact and raise others levels, which is a key key quality.

Family being everything

Though what resonated mostly through the series is the dedication and adoration he has to his wife and 4 children. The film ends well with him rolling on the grass with one of his sons after a football practice session, he is an affectionate intimate father that has had no doubt a massive impact on his children. It seems they know they are loved which is the vital thing.

They as a couple have tried as much as possible to make decisions about work and the future around what is right for the family. And no doubt as well as the hundreds of millions of dollars on the table that was a key factor in moving to America for the sake of his kids and wife. I was impressed by how Victoria came across as a women who has had success but wants to prioritise the life of her family and knows that that takes sacrifice and commitment to make a proper family happen – it doesn’t come by accident.

Of course this series would of been commissioned and edited by them and they come across in a very positive light. But it is somewhat reassuring to see that one of your boyhood icons seems at least to be the real deal where it really matters.

I’d be keen to hear any thoughts you ha e about this and what stood out to you in the Beckham documentary? Do you have a different option now?