David Beckham reportedly fears he has lost his eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, "forever" amid a growing family rift that has shocked fans.
The football legend celebrated his 50th birthday earlier this month, but Brooklyn, 26, was noticeably absent from the festivities.
The once-united Beckham family is now grappling with a public fallout that has thrust their fractured bond into the spotlight.
Friends close to the family say David is "heartbroken" by the situation and hopes the relationship "can be patched up soon".
Brooklyn failed to attend the dinner at Core restaurant in Notting Hill, which was part of David's birthday celebrations.
Reports suggest Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham had cancelled their plans to attend the 2025 Met Gala to make David's birthday meal, but ended up missing both events.
The footballer is eager to try and mend the growing space between his family
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The couple also seemed to be missing David's other birthday celebrations at the family's £10million Cotswolds home.
They were notably absent from festivities in France, where the Beckham clan went wine tasting before having dinner at David's favourite Parisian restaurant.
Sources suggest the family fears "history is repeating itself" with Brooklyn, drawing parallels to David's own estrangement from his father Ted in 2005.
The former Manchester United ace and Ted, 77, were once not on speaking terms.
It was only when Ted suffered a near-fatal health scare in 2007 that they reconciled.
An alleged friend told The Sun: "The word 'lost', here, is especially poignant as it was the exact sentiment used when David fell out with his dad. Ted believed his son would never speak to him again."
The tension reportedly stems from a complex situation involving Brooklyn's wife Nicola and Romeo Beckham's new girlfriend Kim Turnball.
Sources claim Kim allegedly used to date Brooklyn, creating friction between the brothers.
"It's claimed there's tension between Brooklyn and Romeo over Romeo's new girlfriend Kim," according to reports.
Brooklyn is said to feel his father has effectively 'chosen Romeo and Kim over him' and added: "As far as he sees it, his parents have chosen Romeo and his new girlfriend over him."
David has celebrated his 50th birthday with a number of lavish meals and parties this year
Despite the rift, David appears to be extending an olive branch to his eldest son.
After a fishing trip in Scotland with Romeo and Cruz, David shared photos on Instagram with the caption: "Fun times in Scotland. You were missed @brooklynpeltzbeckham".
A source told The Sun: "David is heartbroken but putting a brave face on it. Tonight is all about celebration and love, and he is swimming in it.
"Brooklyn is a really sweet boy, and everyone loves him dearly. They just hope things can be patched up soon."
Brooklyn reportedly flew to London with "the sole intention of seeing his family" and celebrating his father's birthday.
