David Beckham (50) attracted attention by revealing that he rejected a transfer to Barcelona during the process of moving from Manchester United (Man U) to Real Madrid.

On the 7th (Korean time), Beckham stated during the first broadcast of his show "Beckham & Friends" streamed through Paramount+ in the United States that Manchester United had agreed to a transfer to Barcelona, but he rejected it.

Beckham transferred to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window of 2003. At that time, Manchester United agreed to a transfer to Barcelona, but Beckham made a direct request to the club to change his destination to Real Madrid instead of Barcelona.

Beckham noted, "The team I always wanted to play for in Spain was Real Madrid. But then I got a phone call saying Manchester United accepted an offer from Barcelona." He added, "I was on vacation when Peter Kenyon (then Director General of Manchester United) called to say, 'We have agreed to a transfer with Barcelona.'"

Beckham continued, "I said, 'If I’m going to be transferred, it has to be only Real Madrid.' It had been my dream since I was a child to play for Real. I never imagined I would leave Manchester United, but if I had to leave, it had to be Real." He added, "So Manchester United ultimately took a step back, and the transfer happened within half a day."

Beckham reflected on that time, saying, "I felt that life could change completely in just a day or two. I was on vacation with Victoria (his wife) and one child, and although I left as a Manchester United player, I returned as a Real player. I had signed with Manchester United at 12, joined the team at 15, and was there until I was 27, with no time to mentally prepare."

Beckham said, "Honestly, it was not easy. I couldn’t watch Manchester United games for three years after the transfer because my heart was too broken," adding, "Nevertheless, I was satisfied with my life at Real."

The broadcast featured director Guy Ritchie and actor Stanley Tucci as they watched the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona.

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