Brooklyn Beckham's Brief Football Journey: Opening Up About the Weight of the Beckham Name

David Beckham's sons have all followed in their parents' footsteps, but Brooklyn ended his football career after feeling the weight of his famous surname

Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2026 by Dailystar.co.uk

Brooklyn Beckham admitted the immense pressure of living up to his father's legacy

Both Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham initially attempted to follow in David Beckham's legendary footsteps by pursuing professional football careers, though both ultimately chose different paths.

Romeo Beckham had a more extended run in the sport, progressing through various youth systems. After starting at Arsenal's academy, he joined his father's club, Inter Miami II, where he demonstrated genuine talent in USL League One. He later moved back to England to play for Brentford B before officially retiring in 2024 to pivot toward a successful career in the fashion industry.

While the youngest Beckham son, Cruz, has found his footing in the music world, the eldest, Brooklyn, was the first to move away from the family's athletic roots.

Brooklyn felt that being "David Beckham's son" made every performance a target for criticism

Brooklyn's football aspirations came to an end in 2015 when he was released by Arsenal at the age of 16. Despite having been promoted to the Gunners' Under-18 squad just weeks earlier, the club decided not to grant him a full scholarship, reportedly feeling that other prospects in his position were further along in their development.

While he had the pedigree to seek a trial elsewhere, Brooklyn made the definitive choice to leave the sport entirely. David Beckham later shared the emotional moment his son made the decision during an interview with ABC.

David recalled: "One of my boys said to me, 'Daddy, I'm not sure I want to play football all the time.' It broke my heart a little bit. He explained, 'Every time I step on to the field, I know people are saying, "This is David Beckham's son," and if I am not as good as you, then it is not good enough.'"

Since stepping away from the pitch, Brooklyn has explored various creative ventures, including photography and cooking, as he continues to forge an identity outside of his father's sporting shadow.