“My first priority, and Victoria’s first priority, was to make sure our children’s mental health was the most important thing. They were obviously very excited to see Daddy and Mummy every single day. And that was the silver lining to what everyone was going through. I was travelling far too much before the pandemic, and obviously, I was at home the whole time. So I was able to do school work with my children, and be with them every single day. And that was a real privilege.”

“But the most important thing that Victoria and I said to each other was that when we come out of this pandemic, we want our children to look back on it as if it was a time we spent together as a family. We cooked, we cleaned, we baked — everything that we’re unable to do most days. But the mental health of our children is the most important thing coming out of this.”

“I was always a very quiet kid off the pitch. I didn’t say much. I was short, I was skinny. I wasn’t strong enough. I was told, at a very young age that I wouldn’t ever play for my country. I always believed in myself. I was confident when I was on the pitch, but off the pitch, I was totally different. Ambitions are about believing in yourself.”

“I have four children and I want to see them have dreams and ambitions. And yes, they’ve seen me and lived through my career, which is why I actually wanted children at a very young age. I wanted my kids to live through my career with me. I wanted them on the pitch, lifting trophies at Manchester United and Real Madrid. And I was lucky that when I left Real Madrid, my three boys were on the pitch lifting La Liga (sic). That was my ambition from a very young age. So I think when you have ambition, you have to have belief.”

“Communication is important with your children. You have to be present with your children. We all have these devices, phones, iPads… Put them down and sit with them, talk with them. Take them for a walk. Take the dogs for a walk. Walk the kids to school, if that’s possible.”

“Those things are important to me. I was brought up with the right values. My parents were hardworking, and they instilled that into me.”

“My advice is that if you need to be kept motivated, then you’re doing it wrong. We all have dreams; my motivation was to try to be a footballer. I didn’t think of anything else. Get ready to sacrifice, and you’ll have to go against the best. Be dedicated, be hardworking. My parents gave me a good work ethic.”

“When you’re so young, you don’t really think about the future. But enjoy the present, because it all finishes so quickly. One moment I had just won the FA Youth Cup and the next, I was on the pitch playing my final game for Paris (Saint-Germain).”

“I was lucky that I played till I was 38 years old. But I suppose I started preparing for my life outside football around 30. I’ve got great partners so that helped. I knew I was ready to step into something new, at 38. And that I knew had to work as hard.”

“When I started my business life, I knew I needed a great team, and I’ve been lucky to have one. It was difficult stepping away, and I miss football every day, but I was ready to step into the business world.”

“It’s one of the most important things of my career. I started my relationship with UNICEF during a trip to Thailand with Manchester United. Then I became a global ambassador, which I’m very proud of. I knew at some point I wanted to do more. I sat down with UNICEF, and we decided to come up with a fund (Note: 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund). We started four different initiatives in four countries.”

“Girls, especially, haven’t been given the same opportunities that boys are given. I want children, particularly girls, to live to their full potential.”

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