During their seven-year marriage the Beckhams have faced many testing times together. And this weekend, with England's World Cup dream over, David once again turned to his wife Victoria for support. After a series of heart-to-heart phone calls with her, the England captain has made the decision to stand down, although he plans to continue playing international football.
An insider said: "It's a decision Becks could never have made without Victoria - they made it together."
Victoria called the sporting hero as she was ferried to her hotel to console him. She and their son, seven-year-old Brooklyn had watched in tears as David limped off the pitch with an injury to his Achilles heel in the 52nd minute of Saturday's match against Portugal.
Before flying back to the UK, his voice cracking with emotion, David announced his resignation, saying he'd "lived the dream" for nearly six years. Reading from a handwritten note that he'd composed in the early hours of Sunday morning, the 31-year-old player said it was to time pass on the armband. "It has been an honour and a privilege to captain our country and I wish to stress that I want to continue to play for England," he declared.
It will be up to the incoming coach Steve McClaren - who takes over from Sven-Goran Eriksson - to decide on a replacement. Chelsea skipper John Terry is said to be the most obvious choice for the job.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
