David Beckham has said his "biggest accomplishment is and will always be" his family, wife and children as he reflected on turning 50.
The sports star, who captained England on 59 occasions, posted on Instagram writing: "As I reflect on this Birthday I'm very grateful for many things in my life the teams I’ve played for, my team mates , managers , the fans , MY COUNTRY and being England captain , the children I have met over different charities I work with , my team in my business & the friends I have around me I feel truly blessed…
"But my biggest accomplishment is and will always be my family , my mum and dad who sacrificed so much for me to live my dream of becoming a footballer, my sisters who had to put up with following there brother around in the freezing cold watching me play football and amazing my nan and grandad… My wife and best friend of 28 years and my beautiful children Brooklyn , Romeo , Cruz & Harper you are the reason I get out of bed each day thank you for making me smile and thank you for making me a better man…. I love you all so much and thank you for making today so special for me… You are my world."
Earlier on Friday his wife Victoria said she loves him and their family "endlessly".
The 51-year-old former Spice Girls singer-turned-fashion designer shared footage on Instagram of their private family moments, which included Beckham playing sports with their children, going to concerts and on holiday, her 50th birthday, and him working out, feeding their chickens and dancing.
She wrote: "When I look at this video, I think, 'Wow… how lucky am I!!’ You’re everything I could have dreamed of and more. Happy 50th @davidbeckham!!! I love you and our beautiful family endlessly. You complete me xxx."
On Thursday, she had also shared a video of the two of them dancing, and singing the Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers song Islands In The Stream, written by the Bee Gees.
She wrote: "My best friend, soul mate and dance partner for life. Like the song says, we start and end as one, In love forever, We can ride it together, ah ha. I love you.
"Happy birthday eve @davidbeckham… my everything."
Beckham holds commercial and brand deals with a variety of companies, and has three sons – Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz – and youngest child, daughter Harper, 13, with Victoria.
His footballing career included the treble-winning campaign of 1998-99, when Manchester United won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, and he earned 115 England caps, the third most of all time for the men’s team.
Beckham is also a Unicef goodwill ambassador, and is known for his style, including fitted suits, hairstyles and tattoos.
He has a production company which has put out the Disney+ documentary Save Our Squad With David Beckham, and encouraged his wife to front her own upcoming programme on Netflix, which will focus on her fashion company.
Source: Press Association
