David Beckham left fans stunned and concerned after wife Victoria posted a photo of him on Instagram smiling in a hospital bed with his arm in a sling. The unexpected update about the 50-year-old football icon's surgery set social media buzzing, with many asking: what happened to Beckham?
Just days before news of his surgery emerged, David and Victoria had shared a light-hearted moment online, joking about an unusually short carrot they had grown in their garden.
Hospital Photos Spark Concern
Soon after, however, Victoria posted a photo of David recovering in a hospital bed. The update surprised fans, as the former footballer had not previously mentioned any plans for surgery.
In the Instagram stories, Beckham was seen smiling in bed with a blue sling around his right arm. 'Get well soon daddy,' Victoria wrote in the caption.
Another photo showed David wearing a friendship bracelet with the words 'get well soon', possibly made by one of their children. The couple share four children: Brooklyn, Cruz, Harper and Romeo.
Victoria's announcement came just after David was named to receive a knighthood from King Charles. Once confirmed, he will be addressed as Sir David Beckham, and Victoria as Lady Beckham.
Beckham's Injury Background
According to People, Beckham's surgery was on his wrist. The Sun reported that a screw, originally used to repair a football injury more than 20 years ago, had failed to dissolve and needed to be removed.
The injury dated back to 2003 during a match between England and South Africa, when Beckham fell awkwardly after a challenge from Thabang Molefe. He was substituted early in the second half after providing an assist for Gareth Southgate.
Beckham's struggle was evident after the knock, and he was replaced by Jermaine Jenas after the break. No further details were given about his current hospital stay.
A source told InStyle that Beckham had been 'in pain for years but thought nothing of it'. The source added: 'He just kept going until, in recent months, it became quite unbearable.'
David's Reflection on Relationship a Year Prior to Surgery
In 2024, Beckham spoke about the challenges and growth in his marriage to Victoria. 'When you're with someone for that amount of time, of course you have your ups and downs,' he said on the Smartless podcast.
'Everybody knows that and at the end of the day we were lucky because we had each other at those moments. She was a Spice Girl, I was playing for Manchester United, and even when we were going through difficult times, we actually had each other to lean on and that was the best part,' he added.
Despite the operation, Beckham remains in good spirits, with Victoria by his side throughout his recovery. Fans and family continue to send their well-wishes for a speedy return to full health.
