“I didn’t realize what a strong woman she was, and that is what really attracted me to her more than anything,” the former soccer player said of Victoria

David Beckham knew Victoria Beckham was his perfect partner since the start of their romance.

On Thursday’s edition of SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, David, 48, shared how his love for the Spice Girls member, 49, developed throughout their relationship.

“I really just fancied her. I did,” David said of his wife. “I just fancied her. I didn’t know what she was like as a person. I just actually fancied her like most people did at that time, and I didn’t know who I was marrying [or] who I was going to be with for the rest of my life.”

“I didn’t realize what a strong woman she was, and that is what really attracted me to her more than anything,” David continued.

Victoria and David Beckham at the “Le Chouchou” Jacquemus’ Fashion Show.

The former soccer player noted that the singer is “beautiful” and “sexy,” but that his love for her grew for many other reasons.

“I like a strong woman, and I like the fact that she works hard. I like the fact that she’s a great mum,” David said. “I like the fact that she looks after me sometimes, most of the time, and you know, we’ve created this life with four amazing children, which are the most important things in our life, so that’s why I chose Victoria… the way that she kind of runs the family.”

(L-R) Harper Beckham, Romeo Beckham, David Beckham, Cruz Beckham and Victoria Beckham.AVID M. BENETT/DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES FOR DISNEY+

The two welcomed their first son, Brooklyn, on March 4, 1999. After tying the knot in a star-studded ceremony in Ireland on July 4, 1999, their family grew bigger with the births of Romeo, 21, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 12.

David said the designer’s ability to care is one of her best qualities since they are “the most important and greatest thing” she’s ever given him. The athlete also recalled one of the first times he knew he would marry Victoria being when he watched the “Say You’ll Be There” music video.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It’s my favorite because it was the song that was on the TV when I was sat in my room with Gary Neville and it came on the tele and that was when I turned around to Gary and said, ‘I’m gonna marry that one in the short black dress,'” he said, later describing the look as a “black catsuit.”