The 50-year-old retired athlete made an appearance at a major tennis tournament, where an unexpected detail — beyond his trademark style — sparked online discussion.
David Beckham took his seat in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on June 30, 2025, just days after his wife Victoria Beckham shared news of his hospitalization on social media, drawing attention to his recovery.
Wearing a cream double-breasted suit and brown tie, the former footballer greeted spectators with a smile and wave as he arrived to watch the first-round Gentlemen’s Singles match between Fabio Fognini and Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court.
Photos show David’s right hand wrapped in a bandage, yet he appeared at ease, casually holding a pair of sunglasses and showing no visible signs of discomfort. Seated next to England manager Gareth Southgate, both men wore sunglasses and exchanged conversation throughout the match.
With his return to the spotlight at Wimbledon, David’s appearance quickly sparked online reaction. “How is that broken arm?” one commenter asked. Another viewer noted that his hand and wrist bandage was clearly visible during the televised coverage, supporting the claim of an injury.
A third expressed annoyance at David’s presence in the public eye, while someone else downplayed the seriousness of the situation, suggesting the injury wasn’t severe enough to stop him from attending events.
A different commenter expressed confusion, questioning how he could be at Wimbledon if he had been hospitalized. Some questioned the speed of his recovery, noting, “See your injury has magically healed overnight…🙄” while another remarked, “Hope your feeling better hand injury’s are so painful [sic].”
Others focused on his appearance, with one admirer saying, “Looking good Sir David 👌.” One netizen even called him “brave” for showing up in public despite the visible bandage.
As previously reported, fashion designer and former pop icon Victoria revealed her husband’s hospitalization through a series of Instagram Stories posted early on June 27.
The first story was a picture of the former England captain in a hospital bed and gown — his right arm in a sling — sporting a broad grin and tired eyes.
The picture was simply captioned, “Get well soon daddy.” Victoria did not include any details about the cause or location of the hospital visit.
A second picture showed David’s left hand resting above the sheets of the same hospital bed. His wedding band is slightly visible on his ring finger. His heavily tattooed hand forms a fist as he holds on to a beaded bracelet that spells out “♥︎ Get well soon ♥︎.”
While we may not know much about David’s latest hospital visit, back in 2003, the sportsman injured his right wrist during a friendly match between England and South Africa.
The game got off to a solid start for David, who assisted in two goals in the first half. However, things changed quickly after halftime.
At the start of the second half in Durban’s Kings Park Stadium, defender Thabang Molefe challenged David. After the challenge, the English midfielder landed awkwardly on his right arm.
He immediately winced in pain and had to take a moment to compose himself. Medics rushed to assist him and bandage his right forearm, wrist, and hand.
He attempted to continue the match with medical support, but the injury proved too serious. Within five minutes of the second half, David walked off the field.
David was then taken to a hospital, where doctors determined he’d broken his right wrist — a hefty consequence for what was just a friendly match, which England ultimately went on to win 2 –1.
It’s unclear if this 22-year-old injury is related to David’s recent hospitalization.
Injured or not, David kept showing up in style. With recovery updates shared by Victoria online and appearances at major events, he remained in the spotlight.
Take a look at the gallery — from hospital moments and on-field action to this year’s FIFA Club World Cup and Wimbledon.
A close-up shows David Beckham’s tattooed left hand resting on white sheets, holding a beaded bracelet that reads “GET WELL SOON,” in a post shared on June 27, 2025. | Source: Instagram/victoriabeckham
David Beckham is upended mid-air by South Africa’s Thabang Molefe during a friendly match in Durban on May 22, 2003. The tackle leaves him clutching his arm as he lands awkwardly.
David Beckham is flipped into the air by a sliding tackle from Thabang Molefe during a friendly between England and South Africa in Durban in May 2003. He crashes to the ground, bracing his fall with his arm
Grimacing in pain, David Beckham kneels on the field clutching his arm after a hard tackle during England’s match against South Africa on May 22, 2003, in Durban.
David Beckham walks off the field with his wrist bandaged after sustaining an injury during England’s match against South Africa in 2003. His expression is composed, but his arm is clearly favoring the damage.
