David Beckham needs no introduction. The former footballer turned international icon is one of the most recognisable athletes in the world. In part due to shrewd business conduct and partially for his good looks, Beckham’s image has only grown since he retired. His fabled playing career leaves big shoes to fill and astronomical expectations to live up to, but his second oldest son Romeo Beckham is on the right track.
At 20 year of age, Romeo is on the rise in the world of football. He’s announced he’s joining the B team of English Premier League newcomers Brentford on loan for the next six months, with a clear path to the first team. The move is a huge step forward for Romeo and puts him on a path similar to his father.
Sports fans are suckers for family dynasties. When the child of a famous athlete works their way into the spotlight, it’s always a crowd pleaser. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic sensation that reminds us of the times when their parents played, or simply the feel-good story of an athlete living up to the hype, we all love this familiar trope. Although, the children of big stars don’t always find success. Many ultimately fail to emerge from the shadow of a superstar family member, a heavy burden that heaps on the pressure. With parents like David and Victoria Beckham, Romeo Beckham has had his work cut out for him.
Romeo Beckham appeared thrilled to join Brentford in a video released by the club. “I’m very proud and very happy to be here,” he said. “It was a fun season and there were a lot of ups and downs but I’m excited to come here and see what I can do.” Romeo had been training with Brentford’s second team for the latter part of 2022, which should alleviate the challenge of adjusting to a new team. “They have helped me massively over the last couple of months and I’m excited to see what else they can help me with to really progress in football,” Romeo said.
???? Romeo Beckham: “It’s a very exciting place to be”
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 6, 2023
Hear from the latest #BrentfordB recruit who is looking forward to continuing his development with the young Bees ⬇️#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/78d1xqqZYb
As you would expect, Romeo has grown up around football. With a dad like David Beckham, pursuing a career in the sport was an obvious choice. Romeo joined Premier League giant Arsenal’s academy in 2014, but soon found his interests were elsewhere. He briefly tried to make it in tennis before using those generous genes to land some major modelling gigs, but found his way back to football once he turned 18.
Romeo Beckham joined Inter Miami II in 2021, a team which his dad co-owns (cue the nepo baby comments). He worked his way into a prominent role on a solid team in the USA’s second division. Last season, Romeo had a league-high 10 assists and bagged two goals in only 20 appearances. His productive output put the world on notice. He’s not just the son of a famous footballer, he’s actually got some skill.
Romeo plays with a similar style to his father. The 20-year-old is primarily a free-flowing winger and has set himself apart with his innate passing ability and propensity to score from free kicks. Sound familiar? The elder Beckham is known as one of the best free-kick takers of all time and that skill has certainly rubbed off on his son. Romeo’s first goal for Inter Miami came from a long-distance free kick that curved over the opposing wall and around the goalkeeper in a manner reminiscent of his father’s plethora of awe-inspiring goals.
OFF THE SET PIECE!
Romeo Beckham scores his first goal of the season from distance! ???? pic.twitter.com/5qRGnF0bEM— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 11, 2022
Brentford are just as excited as Romeo about the signing. The second team’s head coach Neil MacFarlane was full of praise for the 20-year-old. “I love his standards and the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch,” MacFarlane said. “He’s been able to get fitter and fitter during his time with us and it leaves him in a good place to now step forward having joined us on loan.”
As for Brentford’s first team, top boss Thomas Frank has also taken notice of Romeo. “I think he’s an interesting player. We hope, of course, like a lot of others that he can make it to the first team,” Frank said. Romeo Beckham still has a long way to go before he eclipses his father, but he’s on the right track and is hopeful for the future. As he says, “Brentford is a club on the rise very quickly. I’m very grateful to be here.”
