It’s finally here, the big one: Netflix's long-awaited David Beckham documentary... Beckham. There have been others before it, of course, but this one promised to leave no stone unturned in the life and times of the England legend, taking us up to the very present day. Obviously that didn't turn out to be the case, but there's plenty of juice to be squeezed nonetheless.
Some controversial talking points crop up over the course of the four-part series, including that explosive moment in the Old Trafford changing room which ultimately led to Beckham's departure to Madrid. But it's more light than dark, and has thrown up some funny moments for social media to feed on (also worth a mention: Fisher Stevens, the guy who played Succession's Waystar Royco PR Man, Hugo, is on directing duties. What a world).
So fresh from one of the most epic rags to riches and even more riches tales of our time, here are the most-talked about scenes that are currently setting social media alight.
Becks calling out Victoria's working class roots
Victoria had no chance when David questioned her claims of being “very working class”. Jumping into her interview from behind a door, he chides her: “Be honest… what car did your dad drive you to school in?”
It was only a bloody Rolls Royce. But then, if you know your Spice Girls lore, as you should, then you know that already. As one social media user put it: “David Beckham is the last remaining investigative journalist”.
That time Sir Alex Ferguson kicked a boot at his face
Much frothed over by the tabloids at the time, now retold by all the major players (including, with relish, a partial reconstruction by a member of the coaching team). Essentially, Becks told his boss to fuck off after a dressing down; Fergie furiously lashed out by kicking a heap of worn jerseys on the floor only to see a boot fly across the room and hit David above the eye. As Sir Alex says: “It was an absolute freak [accident]”. Beckham apparently had to be restrained. To which we say: where is the full six-parter Netflix dramatisation of this event.
How Sir Alex took care of Beckham after his red card at the 1998 World Cup
Destroyed in the media and England fans after being sent off for kicking out at Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone in the round of 16 of the competition, Sir Alex wisely and warmly advised him to “take a holiday, come back, and we’ll look after you.” England manager Glenn Hoddle comes in for colder treatment...
Roy Keane's utter confusion over the appeal of pricey pens
“Who the fuck buys a pen?”
Posh is pissed off
While Victoria was off giving birth, the papers published a picture of Becks looking cosy between J-Lo and Beyonce. He was starring in a Pepsi advert with them, you see. “What will Posh say?” the headline asks, to which Victoria says: “I’ll tell you what Posh said: Posh was pissed off”
Let’s hear it for the jumpers
From sarongs to those spiky hairbands (Becks walked so that Jack Grealish could run) no footballer has had more of a sartorial impact on society than David. But it’s his woolly jumper collection in the doc that's put everyone in nostalgia mode. Winter can't come soon enough.
