David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on May 2, 1975, and is a lifelong Manchester United supporter. As a boy, he attended the Bobby Charlton Soccer School (Charlton is a Manchester United legend) and dreamed of emulating his hero Bryan Robson and wearing the famous No. 7 shirt one day.
Beckham signed a Youth Training Scheme contract in 1991 with his beloved United. The boy wonder announced his arrival on the soccer scene in August 1996 by scoring a spectacular goal from inside his own half on the opening day of the season. Beckham was voted Young Player of the Year for 1996-97, scoring an impressive eight goals in 40 appearances.
Beckham scored his first goal for England during the 1998 World Cup in France vs. Colombia. He had somewhat surprisingly been left out of England's two prior games in the tournament, and the outpouring of joy after he netted one of his trademark free kicks was clear for all to see. As he proceeded to thrust his hips, the nation's women swooned (and the men were too busy cheering to notice).
The undoubted low point of Beckham's playing career came when he received his first-ever red card in 1998, for flicking his leg out at Argentina's Diego Simeone during England's World Cup knockout game. After being sent off, England held on for a 2-2 tie but would be eliminated on penalty kicks (an all too common fate for England fans). Beckham escaped the intense media scrutiny back home in England — the Daily Mirror printed a dartboard with a picture of him centered on the bull's-eye — by going to New York to be with his Spice Girl fiancée Victoria "Posh Spice" Adams.
The U.K.'s most famous couple — seen here celebrating their engagement in early 1998 — got married at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland on July 4, 1999. The couple's son Brooklyn (can you guess where he was conceived?), then four months old, was the ring bearer. The media were kept away from the ceremony, as the Beckhams had an exclusive deal with OK! magazine, but the tabloids still managed to show them sitting on golden thrones. It's believed that 437 people were employed to staff the reception, which was estimated to have cost the best part of $1 million.
Away from sports, Beckham has cultivated an image as a style icon and has never been shy to try on any outfit in the name of fashion. Brand it like Beckham, indeed.
England was staring at an unthinkable home defeat to Greece back in 2001, which would have meant that World Cup qualification was uncertain. In the final minute of the match, however, Beckham stepped up to score a beautifully struck free kick, ensuring automatic passage to the finals. England was off to the World Cup, and Beckham was absolved of his previous soccer sins.
A few months before the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, Beckham was injured during a Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruña, breaking the second metatarsal bone in his left foot. Suddenly all England fans became medical experts, and the Sun newspaper even asked people to place their hands on a front page depicting his injury, in a spiritual attempt to heal him. It must have worked, as he battled back to fitness and scored the winner in a group game against Argentina — the team he'd been sent off against at the previous World Cup. Sadly for Beckham and England, they would be eliminated in the quarterfinals against eventual champion Brazil.
Falling Afoul of Fergie
Beckham's Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had mentioned his concerns about his star player being swayed by the celebrity lifestyle. So it was no real shock that he was eventually transferred. But the manner of the somewhat sudden move startled the soccer world. The story goes that, following a defeat to London side Arsenal, a furious Ferguson threw or kicked a boot that (accidently) struck Beckham over the eye, causing a cut that required stitches. Beckham certainly stoked the situation by being photographed with the cut in full view, and it was thought that there was no way back for the pair's rocky relationship ...
Beckham's Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had mentioned his concerns about his star player being swayed by the celebrity lifestyle. So it was no real shock that he was eventually transferred. But the manner of the somewhat sudden move startled the soccer world. The story goes that, following a defeat to London side Arsenal, a furious Ferguson threw or kicked a boot that (accidently) struck Beckham over the eye, causing a cut that required stitches. Beckham certainly stoked the situation by being photographed with the cut in full view, and it was thought that there was no way back for the pair's rocky relationship ...
Real-ity Bites
... And a few months later, in the summer of 2003, Beckham signed with Spanish giants Real Madrid. The midfielder's career got off to a dream start when he scored in his debut. But trophies didn't come easily over his four-year spell, with only a solitary league title and a cup to his and the team's name.
... And a few months later, in the summer of 2003, Beckham signed with Spanish giants Real Madrid. The midfielder's career got off to a dream start when he scored in his debut. But trophies didn't come easily over his four-year spell, with only a solitary league title and a cup to his and the team's name.
History in the Making
Back in the international scene, Beckham created history when he scored against Ecuador in the 2006 World Cup: it made him the first-ever English player to score in three separate World Cups. But yet again, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals, this time courtesy of Portugal and those oh-so-cruel penalty kicks.
Back in the international scene, Beckham created history when he scored against Ecuador in the 2006 World Cup: it made him the first-ever English player to score in three separate World Cups. But yet again, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals, this time courtesy of Portugal and those oh-so-cruel penalty kicks.
Coming to America
Quite simply, it was one of the most stunning transfers in the history of the sport: Beckham's move in 2007 to the Los Angeles Galaxy put Major League Soccer on the world map. It's not unkind to suggest that nearly every overseas signing who had played in the U.S. did so for a healthy payday at the twilight of his career. But Beckham was still a relatively young man (32 at the time), and his signing sparked hitherto unknown levels of interest in soccer in the U.S. Yet cynics would carp that his move was a result of his no longer being selected for the England team and of Los Angeles serving as the perfect location to promote Brand Beckham.
Quite simply, it was one of the most stunning transfers in the history of the sport: Beckham's move in 2007 to the Los Angeles Galaxy put Major League Soccer on the world map. It's not unkind to suggest that nearly every overseas signing who had played in the U.S. did so for a healthy payday at the twilight of his career. But Beckham was still a relatively young man (32 at the time), and his signing sparked hitherto unknown levels of interest in soccer in the U.S. Yet cynics would carp that his move was a result of his no longer being selected for the England team and of Los Angeles serving as the perfect location to promote Brand Beckham.
Cometh the Hour, Cometh Milan
And perhaps those cynics had reasons to be smug, after Beckham moved on loan to Italian side AC Milan a couple of years later. As he was back in favor for the England team, it was felt that Beckham needed to be playing in the more competitive European leagues if he was going to fulfill his dream of making a fourth World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
And perhaps those cynics had reasons to be smug, after Beckham moved on loan to Italian side AC Milan a couple of years later. As he was back in favor for the England team, it was felt that Beckham needed to be playing in the more competitive European leagues if he was going to fulfill his dream of making a fourth World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
Rapturous Reception
In March 2010, Beckham made his highly emotional return to Old Trafford for a Champions League game with Milan. Despite his being on the losing side, his gesture at the end of the match, of wearing a green-and-gold scarf, made headlines around the world. The colors have been adopted by Manchester United fans unhappy with the Glazer family's ownership of the club. Beckham maintains he wasn't aware of the politics, but for campaigners, it's been seen as a considerable coup.
In March 2010, Beckham made his highly emotional return to Old Trafford for a Champions League game with Milan. Despite his being on the losing side, his gesture at the end of the match, of wearing a green-and-gold scarf, made headlines around the world. The colors have been adopted by Manchester United fans unhappy with the Glazer family's ownership of the club. Beckham maintains he wasn't aware of the politics, but for campaigners, it's been seen as a considerable coup.
Full Time
Though he hadn't appeared for England since October 2009, Beckham was generally regarded as being a dead certainty to make England's World Cup squad. But the cruelty of sports intervened: an Achilles injury ended those hopes. Beckham's Achilles' heel, it turns out, was his Achilles tendon.
Though he hadn't appeared for England since October 2009, Beckham was generally regarded as being a dead certainty to make England's World Cup squad. But the cruelty of sports intervened: an Achilles injury ended those hopes. Beckham's Achilles' heel, it turns out, was his Achilles tendon.
End It Like Beckham
England's Italian coach Fabio Capello capped a miserable year for Beckham by confirming before the national side's friendly match with Hungary on Aug. 11 that he wouldn't select him in another competitive international. Beckham cut a forlorn figure at times during England's horrific World Cup campaign in South Africa as part of Capello's management team. "I say thank you very much for helping me at the World Cup, but probably he is a little bit old," said Capello upon delivering the news, which Beckham found out at about the same time as fans. Becks made 115 appearances for his country — the most by any outfield player — scored 17 times and captained the "Three Lions" on 58 occasions. It's doubtful we'll hear him roar again.
England's Italian coach Fabio Capello capped a miserable year for Beckham by confirming before the national side's friendly match with Hungary on Aug. 11 that he wouldn't select him in another competitive international. Beckham cut a forlorn figure at times during England's horrific World Cup campaign in South Africa as part of Capello's management team. "I say thank you very much for helping me at the World Cup, but probably he is a little bit old," said Capello upon delivering the news, which Beckham found out at about the same time as fans. Becks made 115 appearances for his country — the most by any outfield player — scored 17 times and captained the "Three Lions" on 58 occasions. It's doubtful we'll hear him roar again.
Save the Best for Last
In what may have been his last appearance for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham contributed to the winning goal: he was involved in the buildup to Landon Donovan's strike against the Houston Dynamo during the Nov. 20, 2011, MLS Cup soccer final in Carson, Calif., whose final score was 1-0. "Whether I stay or not, I've had an amazing five years," said Beckham, who played the full game despite suffering a hamstring problem in training. It was but the latest triumph in a stellar career.
In what may have been his last appearance for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham contributed to the winning goal: he was involved in the buildup to Landon Donovan's strike against the Houston Dynamo during the Nov. 20, 2011, MLS Cup soccer final in Carson, Calif., whose final score was 1-0. "Whether I stay or not, I've had an amazing five years," said Beckham, who played the full game despite suffering a hamstring problem in training. It was but the latest triumph in a stellar career.
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