Sir David Beckham once dated another Manchester United legend's future wife before he fell for Spice Girls pop star Victoria and they had three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz
Tom Bryant Associate Editor (Showbiz), Beth Hardie, Vikki White Features Writer, Saffron Otter Assistant Features Editor and Cameron Winstanley
14:20, 21 Jan 2026Updated 14:22, 21 Jan 2026
Two individuals embracing each other affectionately in a hallway, with a staircase and a decorative clock visible in the background.
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David Beckham had a fling with a Manchester United team-mate's future wife before meeting Victoria(Image: victoriabeckham / Instagram)
It's hard to envision a time when David and Victoria Beckham weren't the power couple we know today, but for a spell the Manchester United and England legend had his heart set on another woman - and even had a fling with a team-mate's future wife.
Posh and Becks are undoubtedly one of football's most influential couples, but their journey hasn't been without its bumps. The couple has weathered 'painful' allegations of infidelity against David - all of which he vehemently denies. And now, their eldest son Brooklyn has gone public with his side of the story after his estrangement from his parents.
Whispers of a family rift have been circulating for months, with Brooklyn now confirming the split after claiming his mother and father have manipulated him throughout much of his life, also alleging they've "tried endlessly to ruin his relationship" with his wife, Nicola. It isn't the first bombshell to hit the family but they have weathered those storms as they close in on three decades together.
Victoria Beckham has broken her silence
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Brooklyn Beckham has fallen out with his parents(Image: Getty)
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In 1997, sparks flew when Beckham and Victoria first laid eyes on each other at a charity football match at Old Trafford. However, the stars had already taken a shine to each other before this meeting.
The United winger had singled out Posh Spice in one of her music videos to his friends, while Victoria had developed a crush on 'Golden Balls' after spotting his photo in a sticker book.
However, the England midfielder enjoyed several romantic encounters before finding his soulmate - including a liaison with the now wife of a former Class of 92 team-mate.
An individual dressed in a black suit stands next to another person wearing a metallic silver outfit, both smiling for the camera. They are surrounded by a crowd at a formal event.
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Beckham had a romance with Julie Killilea before meeting Victoria(Image: EAMONN AND JAMES CLARKE.)
Beckham began dating nutrition specialist Julie Killilea in 1996 and the couple made their first public appearance at the Broken Arrow film premiere in Bury. But their romance came to an end a year later, reportedly due to his growing affection for Victoria.
She then moved on to date and eventually marry his team-mate Phil Neville after meeting at a mutual friend's 21st birthday party in 1999.
Any potential awkwardness seemed to be absent as the fellow Treble-winner and his wife attended their wedding in 1999. The two couples have remained close friends since, with Julie expressing her gratitude to the Beckhams in 2022 for arranging matching tattoos in honour of her 45th birthday.
Phil Neville married Julie in 1999, after she previously dated David Beckham
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Phil Neville married Julie in 1999, after she previously dated David Beckham(Image: Mirror)
Julie has since built a successful sports and health career and is the founder of Win Naturally. After leaving her job as the company secretary of her family's construction business, Julie also went on to be the author of Superfoods.
Phil and Julie have a son Harvey and daughter Isabella together. Harvey played in the MLS at Inter Miami, where Neville was previously manager - before he was sacked by the club's co-owner Beckham, in another potentially very awkward scenario.
Phil will start the new season Stateside with the newly-formed Sporting JAX. The Jacksonville club are preparing to make their debut in the USL Championship in March.
Phil and Julie Neville
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Phil and Julie Neville have two children together(Image: Eamonn & James Clarke)
The 23-year-old played in the youth team at United and Manchester City before relocating to Valencia's academy when Phil took up the role as coach for the La Liga club.
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Harvey later returned to United's academy but he was released in 2021 and followed his father again to Miami. The winger played 11 times in the MLS for Inter Miami before going on to play for Portland Timbers and Phoenix Rising.
Meanwhile, Isabella was diagnosed with cerebal palsy at 18 months, but she has since become a model.