Brooklyn Beckham and Kai Rooney reacted very differently in difficult circumstances
David and Brooklyn Beckham
David and Brooklyn Beckham are currently not on speaking terms(Image: PA)
View 2 Images
Brooklyn Beckham and Kai Rooney reacted very differently to handling the burden of being sons of footballing legends. David and Victoria Beckham's eldest son celebrated his 27th birthday on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Kai, 16, is the oldest of Wayne and Coleen Rooney's four boys. Brooklyn is currently embroiled in a highly publicised row with his parents and, in January, alleged that they had controlled him for much of his life.
Once having treaded the same path as his Manchester United legend father, Brooklyn was formerly part of Arsenal's academy but left football behind aged 15 in 2014.
Now a business owner, Brooklyn's struggle to cope with the sporting legacy his father forged led him to quit football entirely, as the Inter Miami co-owner explained in a 2015 interview.
Speaking to ABC at the time, David said: "One of my boys turned around to me the other day and said, 'Daddy, I'm not sure I want to play football all the time.' It broke my heart a little bit.
"He said, 'Every time I went 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.'"
In a 2022 interview with Variety, Brooklyn admitted turning his back on football was "sad". Brooklyn said: "My dad wasn't sad because he was like, 'I just want you to be happy.' But of course, I was sad. It was my whole life since I was literally two."
Brooklyn's inability to handle the pressure is a far cry from Kai's situation. The 16-year-old currently plays for Manchester United's U18s side as his father - the club's all-time leading scorer - casts quite the shadow given his legendary status at Old Trafford. Yet, Rooney’s distinguished career is not hindering his son's self-confidence.
Kai Rooney and Wayne Rooney pose with trophy
Kai Rooney is following in the footsteps of his legendary father(Image: Getty)
View 2 Images
While Rooney was mainly a striker, Kai usually operates as a right-winger. Coleen spoke in September 2024 about the expectations placed on her children, particularly Kai, saying: "We've never pressured them into even playing football. We've always just let them decide what they want to do.
"My eight-year-old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn't want to, and that's OK. I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we're out, they do say, 'Are you are as good as your dad?'
"Kai says, 'I'm a different type of player.' You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person."
Content Image
Content Image