Beckham's heartbreak as sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz shun football

Manchester United and Real Madrid legend David Beckham admits it is “heartbreaking” to see sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz shun football.

All three have played the game at some point growing up, with Brooklyn spending time within the academy system at Arsenal.

None, however, have taken to the sport like their iconic father did, with Beckham having enjoyed a glittering playing career, which also took in spells with the LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

The former England captain had been hoping to see at least one member of his brood follow in his footsteps, with his hopes now pinned on daughter Harper – who has shown a passion for football.

Beckham told BBC One's The Graham Norton Show: “Harper is playing every Sunday and loves it.

“The boys don't play and it's heartbreaking. They have a talent, but it's down to Harper now.”

Harper, whose middle name is Seven – the number worn by her father for United and England – is the youngest member of the Beckham family at just six years old.

While her willingness to embrace football has been welcomed by one of her famous parents, a man who worked under the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello during his playing days admits that he sometimes finds passion on the sidelines difficult to contain.

Beckham added: “I get very enthusiastic when watching her.

“The other day a boy took her down and I had to think how to react with all the other parents watching me.

“Do I act like a Unicef ambassador or do I act like Harper's daddy? In the end, I let it go!”

David may be relishing the fact that Harper is delivering on the football field where her brothers failed, but wife Victoria had been hoping to see her daughter tread a different path.

She told reporters back in September 2015 at New York Fashion Week: “Harper loves fashion as all little girls do, she loves putting makeup on and playing with my shoes. She's a tomboy, she has three brothers.

“She said to me the other day: 'Mummy I think I want to play football.' It was a dagger through the heart.”