David Beckham and wife Victoria live their lives so keenly in the public eye, it is surely a surprise to discover that there is anything left to know about them.
But last night, Beckham's biggest secret was revealed.
The football world's most high-profile star suffers with asthma, and has done since he was a small boy.The revelation came after Beckham was seen using an inhaler at half-time during LA Galaxy's major League soccer cup Final on Sunday which his team lost 5-4 on penalties.His exertions put such a strain on the 34-year-old football superstar that he was left short of breath.Amazingly, despite having lived with the condition since childhood, it is the first time the former Manchester United and England international, had ever been pictured using his inhaler.Speaking to ITV news today, Beckham said: 'I've got a slight case of asthma which I've had for years.'It's never came out [until now] because I've had no reason to talk about it, but that's just me.'He admitted that he always feels 'worn out' at the end of a football season, but didn't attribute this to his medical condition.
'You don't come to the end of the season and feel fresh because if you did there'd be something wrong with the effort you've given throughout that season.'
Playing things down, Beckham insisted having asthma should not affect his future as a footballer.He added: 'It should be fine. I've played 65 games a season for the last 20 years, so it doesn't affect the future.Beckham finished the game on Sunday coughing violently and LA Galaxy initially said the inhaler was to help Beckham battle allergies.But the player's agent Simon Oliveira confirmed the superstar player has asthma, confirming: 'David has suffered with this since he was a young boy.'He has never sought to make it public but if it does inspire any sufferer to think they can achieve great things like many other sportsmen have done then so much the better.'
Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airway, which can make breathing difficult and cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.