“Of course she was a Spice Girl and sexy and beautiful and charming,” David tells PEOPLE of first meeting his wife of 25 years

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham in London in 2018. Photo: Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images

David Beckham realized his wife Victoria was special from the moment he met her in 1997!

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at Stella Artois’ Let’s Do Dinner event at Cipriani in New York City on Thursday, Sept. 19, David, 49, explained that from the minute he first laid eyes on his wife Victoria, 50, he knew that she was the one.

When questioned if it was “love at first sight,” the Stella Artois global ambassador insisted, “Absolutely.”

David Beckham attends Stella Artois Let's Do Dinner on September 19, 2024

David Beckham attends Stella Artois’ Let’s Do Dinner NYC event on September 19, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

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“Well, of course. She was a Spice Girl and sexy and beautiful and charming,” the former professional soccer player continued.

He added, “Then I found out what a strong woman she is. So it’s again the gift that kept on giving.”

David and Victoria tied the knot on July 4, 1999 and share four kids together; Brooklyn Beckham, 25, Romeo Beckham, 22, Cruz Beckham, 19, and Harper Beckham, 13. They first met at a Manchester United game — the soccer team David used to play for — in 1997.

British footballer David Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham attend the Versace Store opening party on New Bond Street on June 11, 1999 in London.

David Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham in 1999 in London.Dave Hogan/Getty

The former soccer player also spoke to PEOPLE about entering his farmer era, with his chickens making appearances on his social media recently.

“My wife gets a lot of content out of the chickens,” he joked to PEOPLE, revealing that the family had unfortunately lost one of the pets.

“I’m down a chicken. The others are doing great. I’m sure you’re going to be seeing a lot more content,” he said.

David and Victoria Beckham attend the Kent & Curwen presentation during London Fashion Week Men's January 2019 at Two Temple Place on January 6, 2019 in London, England.

David and Victoria Beckham in London in 2019. Darren Gerrish/Darren Gerrish/WireImage
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Forever his wife’s hype man, David recently spoke about his other half while talking at a Bowers & Wilkins event in N.Y.C. on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

David credited Victoria for inspiring him to try new looks, saying at the event, “She always gave me that confidence and, and she still does now, even after 27 years. She still gives me that confidence that, you know, wanting to look good and wanting to feel good.”

David added of whether he’s influenced his wife’s style, “I’m not sure. I like to think I do,” he began, adding, “To be honest, she always looks good. It’s a good problem but it’s a problem. She always looks great. So it’s a pretty easy job for me.”

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“She has a huge influence in my style,” the soccer icon shared. “When I put something on, I know from her reaction whether I need to take it off or whether I need to keep it on.”

For their recent 25th wedding anniversary, they surprised fans, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, July 3, by wearing the purple Antonio Berardi looks from their 1999 reception in a photo shoot.

“Look what we found… ,” David jokingly captioned a post at the time.