David Beckham is celebrating his 49th birthday today and is now happily settled in his sprawling Cotswolds estate with wife Victoria Beckham and their children, but 21 years prior – the Manchester United legend had a life-changing decision to make.

David Beckham and Victoria at Inter Miami CF

David Beckham’s ‘major’ decision with Victoria and ‘serious’ talk revisited as he turns 49 (Image: Getty)

Victoria Beckham took to Instagram to celebrate “growing really old” with husband David Beckham, as he marks his 49th birthday today. The stars got married in 1999, and have remained a strong couple ever since, despite dealing with a whirlwind life in the spotlight.

21 years ago, Victoria, who turned 50 last month, David and their young family were at a crossroads when the Premier League legend was forced to make a big decision that would impact all of their lives.

In an interview unearthed by Express.co.uk as David gets even closer to his fifth decade, the Manchester United icon shared the “major day” he had to decide on uprooting his settled family life in the UK for his footballing career.

He shared in a candid conversation with The Times, back in September 2003, that he had to have a “serious” one-on-one talk with wife Victoria to figure out whether or not they could move to Madrid, Spain.

David told the publication: “That was a major day in my life because my whole family were around and a decision had to be made. It was small talk at the start, but there was a serious part in the evening when Victoria and I sat down just on our own and we made the decision.

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David Beckham and Victoria in their younger years

Victoria Beckham shared a throwback photo with David Beckham to celebrate his birthday (Image: INSTAGRAM)

“I think that moving to Real Madrid was the only decision I would have made, having been at Manchester United,” the sportsman admitted.

Fortunately for the couple, the move paid off, as they spent several years in Spain after David signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid.

Nowadays, Victoria and David spend a lot of their time at their London townhouse, estimated to be worth £31 million.

They also own a luxurious Miami apartment, worth $24 million, as David works in the US city as co-owner of MLS team Inter Miami CF.

Victoria Beckham and David smile in a restaurant

Victoria Beckham celebrated ‘growing old’ with husband David Beckham