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David Beckham has made his first public appearance since his son Brooklyn Beckham slammed his parents in a series of shocking posts on Instagram on Monday, Jan. 19The former soccer star avoided answering questions about Brooklyn’s statement while attending the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the following dayIn his posts, Brooklyn accused his dad David and mom Victoria Beckham of trying to “endlessly ruin” his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham and spreading “countless lies” amid reports of strain within the extended family
David Beckham has made his first public appearance since his son Brooklyn Beckham slammed his parents on Instagram, accusing them of trying to sabotage his and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham‘s relationship.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, David, 50, appeared at the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 56th Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where he smiled for the cameras while posing for a photograph, as well as being pictured speaking in a podcast booth during a meeting held under this year’s theme, “A Spirit of Dialogue.”
The former soccer star also dodged questions about his relationship with his son, 26, at the event. Asked about Brooklyn statement’s by Sky News, David appeared to smile and did not comment on the situation as he continued to make his way through the event.
In footage shared by the outlet, their reporter could be seen asking the dad of four, “David, do you have a message for Brooklyn this morning?”
This was followed by, “David, are you disappointed family business is being aired in public?”
David Beckham is pictured at the 56th World Economic Forum on Jan. 20, 2026.
REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
The annual forum sees “world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia” get together “in Davos to engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities,” per the website.
David’s appearance comes after his eldest son Brooklyn broke his silence in a series of posts on his Instagram Stories following months of speculation about a rift between him and his wife, Nicola, 31, and David and Victoria Beckham, 51.
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David Beckham speaks in a podcast booth during the 56th World Economic Forum on Jan. 20, 2026.
GIAN EHRENZELLER/EPA/Shutterstock
“I have been silent for years and have made every attempt to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed,” Brooklyn wrote.
“I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” he added.
David Beckham speaks in a podcast booth during the 56th World Economic Forum on Jan. 20, 2026.
Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty
Brooklyn went on to describe several moments in which, he claims, his family attempted to sabotage his and Nicola’s relationship, including during their 2022 wedding in Palm Beach and at his David’s 50th birthday last year.
The posts come following months of strain between the extended Beckham family, including claims of being blocked on social media and the Peltz Beckhams being conspicuously absent from Beckham family holidays or events.
According to Brooklyn, attending these sorts of events is a major priority for his family, whom he says “values public promotion and endorsements above all else … Brand Beckham comes first. Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo.”
The Beckham family and Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Victoria Beckham/Instagram
Among his multiple posts, Brooklyn also claimed his mom not only “hijacked” his first dance with wife Nicola at their wedding, but also danced “very inappropriately” with him.
“My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song,” Brooklyn wrote. “In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead.”
The Beckham family.
Victoria Beckham/Instagram
“She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone,” he continued, adding that he has “never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”
“We wanted to renew our vows so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment,” Brooklyn wrote, referring to the couple’s August 2025 vow renewal, which came over three years after they first wed in Palm Beach in April 2022.
Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
A source close to the situation has since told PEOPLE that Brooklyn and Nicola “never wanted any of this.”
“They just wanted to quietly live their lives and be married but after reading enough of the relentless inaccuracies about Nicola, a family member had had enough and wanted to set the record straight last year,” the insider said.
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty
“And then the Beckhams had plenty of time to make amends and try and fix the damage and instead they continued to push these false narratives, and Brooklyn and Nicola are just sick of it. Brooklyn knows his truth and was ready to speak it,” the source added.
An insider told PEOPLE last May that the relationship between Brooklyn and his parents was “definitely not beyond repair.” “They love and are always there for [Brooklyn]. They’re just hurt and disappointed that he’s now playing no part in family life,” they added.
Amid the family’s ongoing rift, a source with knowledge of the situation also told PEOPLE earlier this month that “David and Victoria have repeatedly asked Brooklyn and Nicola to meet and talk in order to move forward.”
“David loves his kids,” they continued of Brooklyn and David and Victoria’s younger sons Romeo, 23, and Cruz, 20, and daughter Harper, 14. “They are his everything.”
A rep for David and Victoria did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Jan. 19.