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David Beckham Sends Strict Instructions To Phil Neville Over Romeo Beckham After Son’s Professional Debut

David Beckham Sends Strict Instructions To Phil Neville Over Romeo Beckham After Son’s Professional Debut

Phil Neville insisted that there will be a high expectation on Romeo Beckham’s shoulders after David Beckham’s successful football career.

Inter Miami manager Phil Neville has revealed that David Beckham told him to be “harder” on Romeo Beckham than anyone else after his debut for Fort Lauderdale.

Romeo followed in his father’s legendary footsteps and played out on the right wing -- Beckham’s preferred position -- for third-tier American side Fort Lauderdale.

The 19-year-old started for Fort Lauderdale on Sunday and played 79 minutes in their 2-2 draw with South Georgia Tormenta.

Fort Lauderdale are the reserve team for MLS side Inter Miami, which is co-owned by Manchester United legend Beckham.

Speaking after Romeo’s debut, Neville made it clear that Inter Miami president Beckham wanted to make sure that his son does not receive any preferential treatment.

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PA

The Inter Miami manager told reporters: “The first thing that David said to me was, ‘You have got to be harder on him than anyone else.’

“He has got to work harder than anyone else to get into that team because there will be questions, there will be expectations on his shoulders.”

Neville, who played alongside Beckham at United, believes that Romeo performed well in his first match for Fort Lauderdale.

He added: “I thought he did really well. I think the measure of his performance was that he was only planned to play 45 minutes, and he played nearly 80 minutes because he is a boy that is hungry.

“He has got a lot of pressure and expectations on his shoulders, but what he has got is he has got his feet firmly on the ground.

“He knows he has got a lot of development to do, and he has got all the right attributes, character, determination, good person, to have a really good opportunity of making it in professional football.”

Harvey Neville, much like Romeo, is following in his father’s footsteps and is part of Inter Miami’s youth development system.

PA

The 19-year-old right-back, who also spent his youth career with Manchester United and Manchester City, has made 16 appearances for Fort Lauderdale.

Inter Miami boss Neville revealed that his son would be handled in the same way as Beckham has stipulated for Romeo.

“He knows when he is in this football club he is no different than any other player, and it is the same with Romeo,” he said.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Romeo Beckham, David Beckham, Phil Neville, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Football