Michael Owen Says He Didn't Socialize with David Beckham

Michael Owen, who played football with David Beckham for England and Real Madrid, said they never became close friends. Owen said their lives were too different. This news comes out while the Beckham family is having some public family issues.
By Newsroom | Sports, Celebrity News |

The public perception of close friendships between high-profile footballers can often diverge from personal reality. This report examines the stated reasons behind the lack of social interaction between former England teammates Michael Owen and David Beckham, particularly in light of recent, more public family disputes involving the Beckham family.

'I never socialised with David Beckham for good reason despite our wives being friends' - 1

Unexplained Distance Between Teammates

During their overlapping careers, both Michael Owen and David Beckham were prominent figures in English football, representing England and playing together for Real Madrid. Despite their shared professional circles, Owen has explicitly stated a lack of personal socialisation with Beckham.

'I never socialised with David Beckham for good reason despite our wives being friends' - 2

  • Professional Association: Both players were key members of the England squad and later played for Real Madrid concurrently.

  • Stated Difference: Owen has attributed this distance to differing lifestyles and a lack of shared interests, implying a conscious decision not to foster a closer bond.

The Beckhams' Elevated Public Profile

The Beckham family, comprising David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, and their children, maintained a distinct public image that set them apart.

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'I never socialised with David Beckham for good reason despite our wives being friends' - 3

  • Superstar Status: David and Victoria Beckham were described as "bona fide superstars" in their own right, suggesting a level of fame and influence that may have contributed to social stratification even within their professional sphere.

  • Family Contrast: Owen's statement suggests that his own family's lifestyle differed "markedly" from that of the Beckhams.

Divergent Narratives in Beckham Family Dynamics

In recent times, public attention has also been drawn to reported rifts within the Beckham family, particularly involving their eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham. These reports offer a contrast to the seemingly unified public image.

'I never socialised with David Beckham for good reason despite our wives being friends' - 4

  • Brooklyn Beckham's Statement: In January 2026, Brooklyn Beckham posted on Instagram, detailing his criticisms of his parents and alleging a history of "long-standing slights" and "carefully managed media narratives" concerning the family.

  • Family Absence: Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, were noted absences from significant family events, including David Beckham's 50th birthday celebration in May 2025 and Victoria Beckham's Netflix documentary premiere in October 2025. David himself publicly acknowledged Brooklyn's absence at his birthday, stating, "You were missed."

  • Conflicting Accounts: Singer Marc Anthony, who performed at Brooklyn and Nicola's 2022 wedding, described the unfolding feud as "extremely unfortunate" but added that the narrative was "hardly the truth." Brooklyn had previously expressed feeling "uncomfortable and humiliated" regarding his first dance at the wedding.

Public Fascination with Celebrity Discord

The media and public interest in the perceived Beckham family "feud" have been significant.

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  • Mirroring the Ordinary: One perspective suggests that public fascination stems from seeing flaws in seemingly perfect, wealthy individuals, which can make ordinary people feel better about their own issues.

  • Celebrity as a Tool: Celebrity-watching is analogised to a "fun-house mirror," implying that public figures are, in part, constructed to act as benchmarks or points of comparison for the general populace.

  • Social Media Amplification: The widespread sharing of Brooklyn Beckham memes on social media highlights the role of these platforms in amplifying and dissecting celebrity personal lives, raising questions about public shaming.

Expert Observations on Family Rifts

Commentators have noted the potential implications of such public family disputes.

  • Uncomfortable Truths: The situation has been framed as exposing "uncomfortable truths about seemingly close families," suggesting that outward appearances can mask underlying complexities.

  • Parental Concern: Reports indicated David and Victoria Beckham were reportedly "heartbroken" and had "no idea what is going on" with Brooklyn, who was allegedly no longer on speaking terms with them.

Conclusion and Implications

Michael Owen's past assertions regarding his social distance from David Beckham, while framed around lifestyle differences, stand in mild contrast to the intensely public family drama now surrounding the Beckhams. The explanations offered by Owen — differing lifestyles and a lack of socialisation — were made in a period where the Beckham family's internal dynamics were not subject to widespread public scrutiny. The subsequent public airing of grievances within the Beckham family, particularly by Brooklyn Beckham, suggests that complex family relationships can exist even within highly publicised and seemingly cohesive units. The public's enduring interest in these narratives underscores a broader societal fascination with the personal lives of celebrities, often amplified by social media.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Michael Owen and David Beckham play together?
Yes, they played together for the England national team and for Real Madrid.
Q: Why did Michael Owen say he didn't socialize with David Beckham?
Owen said they had different lifestyles and interests, so they didn't spend time together outside of work.
Q: Are there problems in the Beckham family?
Yes, there have been reports of disagreements within the Beckham family, especially involving their son Brooklyn.
Q: What did Brooklyn Beckham say about his family?
Brooklyn has posted on social media about feeling hurt and mentioned past issues with his parents.
Q: Did David Beckham comment on Brooklyn missing his birthday?
Yes, David Beckham said Brooklyn was missed at his 50th birthday party.