Romeo Beckham Retires from Football at 22
Romeo Beckham, the 22-year-old forward and second son of David Beckham, has decided to retire from football, shifting his focus to a career in fashion.
Romeo played his final match for Brentford’s youth team on November 11, 2023, in the English U21 league, after winning the 2022-2023 season, though he did not make a significant impact personally. Since then, he has pivoted to the fashion industry, signing with a partner in Paris to collaborate with major brands. Romeo has made the decision to end his football career.
David Beckham and his wife Victoria have four children: Brooklyn (born 1999), Romeo (2002), Cruz (2005), and Harper (2011). Brooklyn, who had a stint with Arsenal’s youth team, was released from his contract at 16 and did not pursue a professional football career. He married actress Nicola Peltz, daughter of billionaire Nelson Peltz, in 2020.
Romeo joined Arsenal’s youth academy in 2014 but was released a year later. He briefly turned to tennis, training with Andy Murray, but returned to football in 2020, joining Inter Miami’s youth team, where his father is a co-owner. David Beckham even converted their home tennis court into a football field for Romeo’s training. In October 2022, Romeo signed with Brentford’s youth team but has yet to make a professional appearance.
Cruz Beckham chose not to pursue football, instead showing a talent for music inherited from his mother, Victoria. He plays the piano and guitar and released a single titled “If Everyday Was Christmas” at the age of 11.
David Beckham, born in London, began his career at Tottenham’s academy before moving to Manchester United. He played for the senior team from 1992 to 2003, winning the Ballon d’Or Silver in 1999 after securing a treble with the team. That same year, he married Victoria. Beckham later played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Milan, and retired at PSG in 2013.
Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, there have been 22 father-son pairs who have played in the league. Notable pairs include Peter and Kasper Schmeichel, Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips, Alf Inge and Erling Haaland, and Patrick and Justin Kluivert.
