Los Angeles, June 5 - Retired celebrity footballer David Beckham insists his wife Victoria Beckham is "just as beautiful today" as when they first met 16 years ago at a Manchester United match.

He also reveals how he was very shy to strike a conversation with her initially.

David, who married Victoria in July 1999, said: "I was playing with Manchester United against Chelsea in London, and she came down with my manager. I was very shy so I introduced myself and left."

"I kind of was disappointed that I didn't talk to her a bit more, but then the next week she came back for another game, then it was my chance and I got her number. Victoria's still just as beautiful today, I'm not sure that's the case with me," contactmusic. com quoted David as saying.

The couple has four children - sons Brooklyn, 14, Romeo, 10, and Cruz, eight, as well as 22-month-old daughter Harper. (IANS)