The Beckham family's football loyalties have become a public spectacle, with Sir David Beckham's son Romeo firmly pledging his allegiance to Arsenal, a direct rival of his father's beloved Manchester United. This surprising development stems from a childhood encounter that left an indelible mark on the young Beckham.
The VIP Experience That Changed Everything
During a recent conversation with former teammate Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham recounted the fateful day that turned his second-eldest son into a Gunners devotee. "He was really young and we were in London one Friday," Beckham explained. "He was like, 'Dad let's go to a game this weekend.' So I started to look at the fixtures, and I was like 'Uh, Arsenal are at home.'"
What followed was an experience so memorable that it would override years of United indoctrination. Beckham continued: "We walked in, amazing seats. Sat in the director's box. Lunch was unbelievable before the game - it was like wagyu, full on, everything."
Arsene Wenger's Personal Touch
The defining moment came when then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger personally intervened. "So we walk in, I'm sat there and then Arsene walks in the room and he comes straight over to the table," Beckham recalled. "He introduces himself to Romeo, and he says, 'Come with me son.'"
Wenger proceeded to give the young Beckham the full Arsenal treatment: "He takes him down to the changing room, meets all the players, gives him a shirt, signed, takes him onto the pitch, walks him back up to the table and then gives him an Arsenal cashmere scarf, and that was it. It was done."
Beckham admitted defeat in trying to reverse this conversion: "I've tried to change his mind since but impossible."
A Family Divided by Football
This revelation comes during a period of heightened scrutiny for the Beckham family, following eldest son Brooklyn's public criticisms of his parents on social media. The 26-year-old claimed his family had been manipulating media coverage about him and attempting to sabotage his marriage to Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Despite these tensions, Romeo maintains a strong relationship with his father, even as their football allegiances remain firmly opposed. The 23-year-old, raised in a household of United supporters, has become a passionate Arsenal fan following that memorable childhood visit.
Social Media Banter Highlights the Divide
The family's divided loyalties were on full display recently when Manchester United secured an uncommon 3-2 victory away at Arsenal. Bryan Mbuemo, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha all found the net as United secured their second consecutive victory under Michael Carrick, whilst Arsenal's championship aspirations took another blow with their first home loss of the campaign.
Beckham couldn't resist winding up his son on social media, sharing an image of himself celebrating his legendary halfway-line strike against AFC Wimbledon with the message, "You OK Romeo," accompanied by love hearts. A second nostalgic snap showed Beckham rejoicing in United kit with the words: "As the Boss would say 'squeeky bum time.' That Gap is getting smaller."
Romeo proved equally quick-witted in his response, posting an image of the current Premier League standings that highlighted United remaining 12 points adrift of the table-toppers. His comment read: "Don't get too gassed. Mind the gap."
Looking Ahead for Both Clubs
Arsenal now have the opportunity to recover midweek against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League before travelling to Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday. Meanwhile, Manchester United will benefit from a complete week of rest and preparation before hosting Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
This family football rivalry adds another layer to the already intense competition between two of England's most storied clubs, proving that even in celebrity households, football loyalties can create unexpected divisions that transcend generations.
