David Beckham praises Lionesses for inspiring daughter Harper to play football

Virgin Radio

24 Oct 2022, 14:05

David Beckham will appear in a video tribute at the Pride Of Britain Awards to praise the Lionesses for their impact on women’s football and his daughter Harper.

England’s winning Euro 2022 team will be honoured with the Inspiration Award at this year’s ceremony for “galvanising” the nation and being “new role models” for a whole generation.

The former England captain will address the team in a video message at the awards to congratulate them on their achievements.

Beckham watched the tournament while on holiday with his family and his daughter Harper regularly joined him.

Addressing the winning team, he said: "Thank you very much girls for inspiring my daughter and making her kick a ball around again --with her dad.

"For me personally, having a daughter, I want her to look up to inspiring people... They inspired a whole generation, a new generation.

"The amount of girls I was seeing in parks playing football, my daughter wanted to go out and play. That's how inspiring it was for our nation."

He added he was “incredibly proud” of the win “especially as an ex-England captain.”

Beckham continued: "It was an unbelievable moment. I was proud, we were all proud, because as you all know we tried many times to bring it home, and we couldn't do it.

"But we knew what it would mean to the country, and to our fans, and to the game.

"To do it now, in our country, in front of our fans, I don't think as a player there is any better moment to do it."

Joining Beckham in paying tribute to the Lionesses will be ex-England footballer and pundit Ian Wright, who will praise them for their “focus” and “quiet confidence”.

He added: "We won on the biggest stage and in front of a home crowd. The tournament will forever be remembered for iconic moments including Alessia Russo's back-heel and Georgia Stanway's rocket."

Lionesses Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Ellie Roebuck, Fran Kirby, Hannah Hampton, Jill Scott, Leah Williamson, Millie Bright and Rachel Daly will all be walking the red carpet at London's Grosvenor House on Monday.

The Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards will be broadcast on ITV on October 27 at 8pm.