The story of the most famous English soccer player of our time can now be found in the form of a four-part docuseries on the streaming platform, Netflix: Beckham.
David Beckham himself narrates and takes viewers through his childhood, early career, career highlights and low moments, his love life and marriage, and even gives us a glimpse of his current work and pastimes. The show begins with present day Beckham, now 48 years old, in a monogrammed beekeeping suit, hilariously discussing what he should name his honey, and then we go back in time from there.
In the first episode, we see Beckham training hard from an early age, helping out his working-class family, and relentlessly pursuing his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. At age 14, Beckham signed on to play for the English Premier League team, Manchester United, and was with the team from 1992-2003. He quickly became a valuable and skilled player on the field but also became famous for his good looks and style off the field. Beckham was one of the first athletes to use sponsorships for extra income and fame. During this time, he met and started dating the famous Posh Spice, of the Spice Girls band, Victoria Beckham.
The second-half of episode one and into the second episode show Beckham getting picked for the English National Team in the 1998 World Cup. Drama follows him when Coach Glenn Hoddle thinks Beckham’s girlfriend is getting in the way of his training and focus. After getting benched, and then brought back in to help win a game, Beckham shows his worth and helps England advance to finals. In a knockout game against Argentina, Beckham seemingly intentionally kicks another player causing him to get a red card and being sent off the field. England loses the game without Beckham on the field, and in the aftermath, the whole country is distraught and turns on him as Beckham is seen as the cause of the loss.
By the third episode the relationship between Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson, the team’s coach/manager, has crumbled as Ferguson thinks that Beckham’s celebrity status is a distraction to the team. Ultimately, against his will, Beckham was sold to Real Madrid to continue his career there. Beckham brought his family and planned on starting a new life and playing alongside some of the best players in the world. However, from the moment he arrived in Madrid the peace and private lifestyle he had in England had disappeared and he became a target for the paparazzi and fans. His relationship with his family started to decline as they were all put under a great deal of stress.
In the final episode, Beckham and Posh open up about a difficult time in their marriage during the Madrid years. Soon after, Beckham announced that he would be joining the LA Galaxy, a soccer team in the United States, for the next chapter in his career. While at LA Galaxy, Beckham has trouble with one of his teammates but they overcome their differences and lead the team to a championship. Beckham joined two other teams after LA Galaxy but most notable was winning Ligue 1 while with Paris Saint-Germain F.C. When Beckham finally ends his memorable career as a player, he immediately starts his own brand new team in Miami, Florida, called Inter Miami.
Throughout the series, former players and teammates, as well as family and friends, all contribute to the narrative and provide colorful and dramatic accounts of many of the ups and downs of Beckham’s career and life. It’s impossible not to experience a rollercoaster of emotions over the course of Beckham’s storied career and life.
Whether you’ve never heard of David Beckham or you’re already a big fan, this show will surely inspire you and make you root for him, soccer lover or not.