David Beckham Says He Still Feels 'Pain' and 'Guilt' over Parts of His Career but Docuseries Was 'Therapeutic'

Mar. 15, 2025

David Beckham.Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Last year,David Beckhamtook over Netflix with his hit self-titled docuseries, and reflecting back now, the soccer legend says that the experience was “therapeutic.”In a guest column forThe Hollywood Reporter, Beckham, 49, talked about how filmingBeckhamhelped him work through mental health struggles and the backlash from the public allowed him to be fully open with filming Beckham, noting that “embracing this discomfort was a necessary part of the process.”“After each interview I found myself needing time alone to decompress. Reflecting on both the highs and lows of my life and career was — at times — mentally and emotionally draining,” Beckham wrote.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.David Beckham.Sandra Behne/Bongarts/GettyBeckham revealed that it wasn’t until he began filming the docuseries that he realized how much he was holding inside in an attempt to appear stronger to the public and himself.“I realized that I had pushed so many of these feelings and emotions aside for years. I had always been taught to hold everything in and put on a brave face. This was the first time I had truly confronted some pretty monumental moments in my life, and it was therapeutic,” he wrote.Discussing the immense media scrutiny he and wifeVictoria Beckhamfaced following the 1998 World Cup, Beckham said “one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is just how important it is that we take care of our mental health.” He added, “I hope anyone struggling today knows that they don’t have to carry the pressure alone.”Beckham also acknowledged that while makingBeckhamdidn’t magically make all of his feelings disappear, it definitely gave him the “closure” he needed.“I wouldn’t say that making this documentary gave me closure because I still feel pain from those moments. But it did allow me to forgive myself and let go of some of that guilt,” he wrote.

Last year,David Beckhamtook over Netflix with his hit self-titled docuseries, and reflecting back now, the soccer legend says that the experience was “therapeutic.”

In a guest column forThe Hollywood Reporter, Beckham, 49, talked about how filmingBeckhamhelped him work through mental health struggles and the backlash from the public allowed him to be fully open with filming Beckham, noting that “embracing this discomfort was a necessary part of the process.”

“After each interview I found myself needing time alone to decompress. Reflecting on both the highs and lows of my life and career was — at times — mentally and emotionally draining,” Beckham wrote.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

David Beckham.Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty

Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty

Beckham revealed that it wasn’t until he began filming the docuseries that he realized how much he was holding inside in an attempt to appear stronger to the public and himself.

“I realized that I had pushed so many of these feelings and emotions aside for years. I had always been taught to hold everything in and put on a brave face. This was the first time I had truly confronted some pretty monumental moments in my life, and it was therapeutic,” he wrote.

Discussing the immense media scrutiny he and wifeVictoria Beckhamfaced following the 1998 World Cup, Beckham said “one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is just how important it is that we take care of our mental health.” He added, “I hope anyone struggling today knows that they don’t have to carry the pressure alone.”

Beckham also acknowledged that while makingBeckhamdidn’t magically make all of his feelings disappear, it definitely gave him the “closure” he needed.

“I wouldn’t say that making this documentary gave me closure because I still feel pain from those moments. But it did allow me to forgive myself and let go of some of that guilt,” he wrote.

source: people.com