13 June 2024 , 21:13
1436
0
David Beckham expressed concern about his daughter Harper watching his Netflix documentary, "Beckham," as he feared it might influence her opinion of her dad's difficult moments from the past. But the Manchester United and Real Madrid icon was shocked by the positive response to the documentary, which lifted his spirits and aided in his reconciliation with some of the more challenging periods of his successful career.
Unveiled in October 2023, "Beckham" was a four-episode series that dove deep into the celebrated footballer's life. What sets this documentary apart is the inclusion of previously unseen footage and the comprehensive exploration of Beckham's relationships with his family, friends, teammates, and coaches, offering a unique and intimate perspective.
The series includes appearances from notable figures such as his wife, Victoria Beckham, and former teammates Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, and Luis Figo, providing a comprehensive view of the soccer icon's storied career and personal experiences. But before the product was available to the public, Beckham had reservations about how the content could affect his children.
READ MORE: David Beckham fans beg BBC to give him own gardening show as he shows off skills
READ MORE: Harper Beckham, 12, pouts up a storm as she plugs mum Victoria's beauty line in new video
“I was a little bit worried about my daughter seeing some of the things that were being said about me over the years and how she would react,” Beckham said to Variety. “I’ve been telling my daughter for a long time that Mommy used to wear very, very short skirts. And then she was like, ‘Daddy, Mommy did really wear really, really short skirts!’ But she loved it.”
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
The release of the documentary was not without its share of controversy. Victoria's discussion of her husband's alleged affair with yoga instructor Rebecca Loos stirred a heated debate. Loos, in a scathing critique, accused Beckham of presenting a sanitized version of their relationship, claiming that the documentary did not provide a truthful account.
The documentary reignited public interest in and debate about the affair. Critics also pointed out that it glossed over or omitted other contentious aspects of Beckham's life and career, sparking discussions about the portrayal's accuracy and completeness.
David Beckham was worried about his documentary's reception from his children (Getty)Despite facing criticism, Beckham acknowledged that the documentary underscored the importance of mental health, a theme he emphasized was personally and publicly crucial. He hoped the series would cast light on how the media treats women associated with famous athletes, suggesting that his story could contribute to a broader societal change towards more respectful and equitable treatment.
"I think that my takeaway from my documentary was how important mental health is. Because, 20 years ago, nobody was talking about it. And nobody was taking it seriously,” he said. “Now, it’s so great that people can actually talk about their feelings… There were many things said about us over the 27 years. It can be hurtful.”