David Beckham Recalls His Family's 'Toughest Time'

Mike Disciullo/Bauer Griffin

For soccer star David Beckham, the years spent playing for Manchester United and Real Madrid represented the pinnacle of his career. Privately, however, those years took their toll.

“Professionally, it was an amazing time,” the 34-year-old father-of-three said during a Wednesday appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly, “but on the family side, it was probably the toughest time since we had children.” Brooklyn Joseph, 10, Romeo James, 6 ½, and Cruz David, 4 — David’s sons with wife Victoria Beckham — have happily enjoyed more face time with their dad since their family of five moved to California in 2007, where David now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“Living in LA has been incredible. I’d been spending a lot of time apart from the children and I hate being away from them for an hour, let alone the 6 ½-months I was away [before].”

David adds that he and Victoria “love making time for each other,” but their children remain their priority. “Our lives revolve around our children,” he said.

Source: Live with Regis and Kelly

– Missy

Comments

David is a great father, I really hope he makes it to the World Championships in South Africa next year.

- 12 Weeks Pregnant on July 20th, 2009

Hmmm, that’s an odd thing for David to say. When he was playing for Manchester United, the family had homes in nearby Cheshire and in Hertfordshire, which is driving distance on a daily basis. Perhaps he was just referring to the Madrid time, when I think he did have to spend a lot of time away from the children. Cute boys.

- Alex on July 20th, 2009

Alex, totally agree with you. Plus, in the off season for MLS he had been playing out of the US but I think his family stayed in the US. So I would assume he wasn’t seeing them a lot. He may have just not been expressing himself clearly I suppose.

His boys are so cute.

- kris on July 20th, 2009

I love David Beckham, he is so gorgeous, and is really a family guy. I remember when him and Victoria got married in the late 90′s. I know VB gets a lot of slack, but her/David Beckham obviously love each other very much and know how to make it work, and their 3 boys are adorable Congrats to them!

- Mia on July 20th, 2009

No no I think David was referring to his time in Milan in this interview. I watched it and I never thought he referred to Madrid or England. His point was (what I gather) being away from his kids while they were in LA and he was in Milan was the hardest time.

- kayleesmom on July 20th, 2009

kayleesmom – you’re right, he was referring to the time he spent in Milan this year. The children lived with him when he was at Manchester United and Real Madrid (mostly – and even when they were in London it was still the same continent).

- Elizabeth on July 20th, 2009

If its so great and wonderful, why is he leaving to go to another team where he will be away again for long periods of time? As a soccer fan, it just peeves me that he made such a big deal about coming to LA and now won’t be fulfilling his contract.

- Sara on July 20th, 2009

I adore David Beckham, he is such a wonderful sexy family man! He is the best male role model around, and that’s why I named my son after him.

- babyboopie on July 20th, 2009

If he is talking about his time in Milan then the first paragraph of the article is confusing.

“playing for Manchester United and Real Madrid represented the pinnacle of his career. Privately, however, those years took their toll.”

I suppose he may just be saying when he’s playing for LA his family time is great and when he’s not it’s not. But he wants to leave the LA Galaxy so that still doesn’t make much sense.

- kris on July 20th, 2009

I assumed he meant that it was the worst time because of his alleged affair with Rebecca Loos coming out? That was while he played for Real Madrid.

- Ruthella on July 21st, 2009