David Beckham speaks out after son Brooklyn’s accusations: 'Let children make mistakes’

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: David Beckham spoke out after his son Brooklyn Beckham posted a scathing six-page Instagram statement on January 19, accusing his parents of manipulation and of prioritizing their brand over family.

The 50-year-old football icon addressed the controversy during a live appearance on CNBC 'Squawk Box', where he had initially been scheduled to discuss Bank of America’s global sports initiative, Sports with Us, before the personal fallout took center stage. 

David Beckham warns children about social media

David Beckham did not mention his son by name, but his remarks on social media and parenting came just hours after Brooklyn Beckham criticized his parents for how they use public platforms.

Speaking broadly, David acknowledged, "I have always spoken about social media and the power of social media. For the good and for the bad. What kids can access these days, it can be dangerous. But what I have found personally, especially with my kids as well, is to use it for the right reasons."

The former footballer also highlighted the role social media has played in his humanitarian work, pointing to his long-standing partnership with UNICEF as an example of how a public platform can educate and drive charitable action. 

He said, "I’ve been able to use my platform for my following, for UNICEF. And it has been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children. And I have tried to do the same with my children, to educate them."

David then turned to parenting, stressing the importance of patience and forgiveness. He said, "They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn. That is what I try to teach my kids, you sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well."

His comments contrasted with Brooklyn’s account of his upbringing, which he described as being dominated by media strategy and strict image control.

Brooklyn's explosive claims against parents David and Victoria Beckham

In his statement, Brooklyn Beckham said he stayed silent for years as his parents and their team continued to brief the press, leaving him with no option but to respond publicly. “I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” he wrote.

He accused his parents, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, of shaping media narratives throughout his life and described performative social media posts, staged family events, and inauthentic relationships as hallmarks of the Beckham household.

Brooklyn alleged that his parents planted repeated falsehoods in the media to protect their public image, adding, “I believe the truth always comes out.”

The 26-year-old aspiring chef said tensions peaked during preparations for his 2022 wedding to actress Nicola Peltz. He claimed his family “consistently disrespected” Nicola and accused his parents of trying to pressure him into signing away the rights to his name just weeks before the ceremony. 

According to Brooklyn, “My parents were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since.”

Brooklyn directed some of his most serious allegations at his mother, Victoria Beckham. He claimed she abruptly pulled out of making Nicola’s wedding dress, called him “evil” during seating disputes, invited women from his past into their lives to create discomfort, and ultimately took over key moments of the wedding.

He alleged that she interrupted his planned first dance with Nicola when singer Marc Anthony called him to the stage and she stepped in instead, an experience he described as deeply humiliating. 

“In front of our 500 wedding guests, Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead. She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life."

He also said family members told him the night before the wedding that Nicola was “not blood” and “not family,” and claimed his brothers attacked him on social media before blocking him. Brooklyn concluded by accusing his parents of placing publicity and brand deals above genuine family bonds. 

“Brand Beckham comes first,” he wrote, arguing that expressions of family love depended on social media appearances and photo opportunities rather than authentic relationships.