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David Beckham Sir Alex Ferguson

Rise of 'Brand Beckham' cost footballer his sporting focus, says Sir Alex Ferguson

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By Steven Raeburn, N/A

October 3, 2013 | 2 min read

The global rise of the so called ‘Brand Beckham’ that emerged following footballer David Beckham’s marriage to Victoria Adams cost the footballer his focus, Sir Alex Ferguson has said.

"His life changed, when he married the girl from The Spice Girls"

Ferguson, who has rarely spoken about Beckham’s off field activity, made the remarks in an interview with US television network PBS.

"As a young kid when I got him at 12 years of age his great desire was (to play) some of the best football. He was a fantastic trainer, practised all the time. At night-time he would come by with the schoolboys and practise with them. And he was in that collection,” Ferguson said.

“And then of course, his life changed, when he married the girl (Adams) from The Spice Girls, yeah. And his focus changed.

"He got drawn into the -- that celebrity status, you know? And for me, I'm a football man.

"He lost the focus.”

Ferguson added that when Beckham was sold to Real Madrid, he “did well.''

David Beckham Sir Alex Ferguson

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