PEOPLEBIO
David Beckham
Athletes🇬🇧1975–Alive#133 Trending

David Beckham

Soccer / Midfielder

$450Mnet worth

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David Beckham David Beckham is one of the most recognizable athletes and global cultural icons of the modern era. He won 19 major trophies during his career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, and captained England's national team. Renowned for his precise free-kick technique and exceptional crossing ability, he was also a pioneer in combining elite sport with fashion, celebrity, and global brand building.

Early life, family and education

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London, England. He is the son of Sandra Georgina (née West), a hairdresser, and David Edward Alan "Ted" Beckham, a kitchen fitter; the couple married in 1969 in the London Borough of Hackney. They divorced in 2002 after 33 years of marriage. He was given the middle name Robert in honour of Bobby Charlton, his father's favourite footballer. He has an older sister, Lynne Georgina, and a younger sister, Joanne Louise. Beckham's maternal grandfather's maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Lazarus Llewellyn, was Jewish. Beckham has referred to himself as "half Jewish" and wrote in his autobiography, "I've probably had more contact with Judaism than with any other religion". In his book Both Feet on the Ground, Beckham states that growing up he attended church every week with his parents, because that was the only way he could play football for their team. His parents were fanatical Manchester United supporters who frequently travelled 322 km (200 mi) to Old Trafford from London to attend the team's home matches. David inherited his parents' love of Manchester United, and his main sporting passion was football. In a 2007 interview, Beckham said, "At school whenever the teachers asked, 'What do you want to do when you're older?' I'd say, 'I want to be a footballer.' And they'd say, 'No, what do you really want to do, for a job?' But that was the only thing I ever wanted to do." Beckham was a late developer and not selected to represent the England Schoolboys' team primarily on account of his small size. He attended one of Bobby Charlton's Soccer Schools in Manchester and won the chance to take part in a training session with Barcelona, as part of a talent competition. He played for a local youth team called Ridgeway Rovers, which was coached by his father, along with Stuart Underwood and Steve Kirby. Beckham was a Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United in 1986. Young Beckham had trials with his local club Leyton Orient and with Norwich City, and attended Tottenham Hotspur's school of excellence, though he never represented the club in a match. During a two-year period in which Beckham played for Brimsdown Rovers' youth team, he was named Under-15 Player of the Year in 1990. Beckham attended Chingford County High School in Nevin Drive, Chingford. He also attended Bradenton Preparatory Academy, but signed schoolboy forms at Manchester United on his 14th birthday, and subsequently signed a Youth Training Scheme contract on 8 July 1991.

Club career

Manchester United 1991–1994: Youth and early-career Having signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991, Beckham was part of a group of young players, including Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, who were coached by Eric Harrison, and helped the club win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992. Beckham scored Manchester United's second goal in the 30th minute of their 3–1 first-leg win of the final against Crystal Palace on 14 April 1992. In the second leg on 15 May, Beckham played a full 90-minutes of the fixture which ended 3–2 in favour of Manchester United and 6–3 on aggregate. Beckham's impact led to a first-team debut on 23 September 1992, as a substitute for Andrei Kanchelskis in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Shortly afterwards, Beckham signed as a professional on 23 January 1993. Manchester United again reached the final of the FA Youth Cup, where they faced Leeds United. The first leg was played on 10 May 1993, where Beckham started in Manchester United's 2–0 home loss but was replaced by substitute Robbie Savage. In the second leg on 13 May 1993, Beckham played the full 90 minutes of Manchester United's 2–1 defeat, which gave Leeds United a 4–1 aggregate score. Beckham also received honours with the club's reserve team when the squad won the league in 1994. In September 1994, Beckham made his first full appearance in the club's first team against Port Vale in a League Cup fixture. On 7 December 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4–0 victory at home to Galatasaray in the final game of the group stage. Despite the victory, however, they finished third out of four in their group, behind Barcelona. 1994–1995: Loan to Preston North End Beckham then went to Preston North End, on loan for part of the 1994–95 season, to get some first-team experience. {{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjnd-DOIBog|title=Career in Shirts with David Beckham | Classic Football Shirts|date=4 November 2023|work=YouTube|location=UK|access-date=10 November 2023|archive-date=10 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110144207/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjnd-DOIBog|url-status=live}}"}},"i":0}}]}' id="mwAUE">.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 32px}.mw-parser-output .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;margin-top:0}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .templatequotecite{padding-left:1.6em}}I arrived thinking that Manchester United didn't want me anymore. You had to perform because, if not, you're going to get let go. So you're constantly thinking you're not safe. – Beckham in 2023 He scored two goals in five appearances, notably directly from a corner kick. 1995–1996: Return to United and first Championship Beckham returned to Manchester and made his Premier League debut for Manchester United on 2 April 1995 in a goalless draw against Leeds United. He played four times for Un

International career

Beckham captained England 59 times in 115 appearances, the fourth-highest after Bobby Moore, Billy Wright and Bryan Robson. On 1 September 1996, Beckham made his first appearance for England in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Moldova. In June 1997, he participated in the Tournoi de France, the friendly international football tournament held in France as a warm-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup. 1998 FIFA World Cup Beckham played in all of England's qualifying matches for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and was part of the 23-man squad for the finals in France, but the team's manager Glenn Hoddle publicly accused him of not concentrating on the tournament, and he did not start in either of England's first two games. He was picked for the third game against Colombia and scored with a bending 27 m (30 yd) free kick in a 2–0 victory, which was his first goal for England. In the second round (last 16) of that competition, he received a red card in England's match against Argentina. Beckham, after having been fouled by Diego Simeone, kicked Simeone while lying on the ground, striking him on the calf. Sports Illustrated was critical of the Argentinian's theatrics in that incident, stating that Simeone first delivered a "heavy-handed challenge" on Beckham, and then "fell like a ton of bricks" when Beckham retaliated. Simeone later admitted to trying to get Beckham sent off by over-reacting to the kick and then, along with other members of his team, urging the referee to send Beckham off. The match finished in a draw, and England were eliminated in a penalty shootout. Many supporters and journalists blamed Beckham for England's elimination and he became the target of criticism and abuse, including the hanging of an effigy outside a London pub, and the Daily Mirror printing a dartboard of him. He received death threats after the World Cup. Euro 2000 and England captaincy The abuse that Beckham was receiving from English supporters peaked during England's 3–2 defeat by Portugal in Euro 2000, a match where Beckham set up two goals, when a group of England supporters taunted him throughout the match. Beckham responded by raising his middle finger and, while the gesture attracted some criticism, many of the newspapers that had previously encouraged his vilification asked their readers to stop abusing him. \"The Amazing David Beckham Goal That Sent England to the 2002 World Cup\". The Atlantic. Retrieved 23 May 2014"}},"i":0}}]}' id="mwBb4"/> "We've played two and a half minutes of stoppage time. England trail by 2 goals to 1. Beckham could raise the roof here with a goal ... I don't believe it! David Beckham scores the goal to take England all the way to the World Cup Finals! ... Give that man a Knighthood!" —Television commentary on Beckham's stoppage time 27 m (30 yd) curling free-kick against Greece in the 2002 World Cup qualifying game in October 2001. On 15 November 2000, following Kevin Keegan's resignation as England manager in October, Beckham was

Player profile

Style of play Beckham scoring with a bending free kick in 2007. His typical pose when striking free-kicks or crossing the ball in open play, his body leans to the left to generate extra whip on the ball. Throughout his career, Beckham was considered one of the best and most recognisable players of his generation, as well as one of the greatest free-kick exponents of all time. As of September 2023, Beckham ranks joint-5th all time (alongside Lionel Messi) in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65. Beckham has been rated by some pundits as one of the greatest wide midfielders of all time. Predominantly right-footed, his range of passing, vision, crossing ability and bending free-kicks enabled him to create chances for teammates or score goals, attributes that saw him excel as a right winger, despite his lack of significant pace. Unlike his Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs on the opposite wing, Beckham preferred to beat players through his movement and passing, rather than going at opponents directly with the ball. He formed a strong partnership on the right side of the pitch with full-back Gary Neville during his time with the club, due to their understanding, as well as Neville's ability to get forward with his overlapping runs, get on the end of Beckham's passes, and deliver crosses into the box whenever the latter was heavily marked. Although Beckham primarily played on the right flank, he was also used as a central midfielder throughout his career (occasionally with Manchester United, but in particular with Real Madrid and AC Milan), and on rare instances as a deep-lying playmaker, in particular in his later career, to compensate for his physical decline with his advancing age. Beckham felt that his best role was on the right, although he personally preferred playing in the centre. In addition to his passing, crossing, and prowess from set-pieces, Beckham stood out for his stamina and defensive work-rate on the pitch, having played both as an attacking midfielder and as a box-to-box midfielder in his youth; he was occasionally deployed as a wing-back. Moreover, he was also an accurate striker of the ball from distance, as well as being a competent penalty taker. He also drew praise in the media for his ball control and ability to create space for himself on the pitch, as well as his anticipation, composure, determination, athleticism, dedication, and intelligence as a footballer. Approach to training and praise from managers "}},"i":0}}]}' id="mwB24"/> "David Beckham is Britain's finest striker of a football not because of God-given talent but because he practises with a relentless application that the vast majority of less gifted players wouldn't contemplate." —Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. Beckham was a product of Sir Alex Ferguson's hard-working approach at Manchester United. Ferguson said that Beckham "practised with a discipline to achieve an accuracy that other players wouldn't care about". Beckham reportedly s

Timeline

1960s
1969

He is the son of Sandra Georgina (née West), a hairdresser, and David Edward...

He is the son of Sandra Georgina (née West), a hairdresser, and David Edward Alan "Ted" Beckham, a kitchen fitter; the couple married in 1969 in the London Borough of Hackney

personal
1970s
1975

Born in London

David Robert Joseph Beckham born in Leytonstone, London.

personal
1975

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 at Whipps Cross University...

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London, England

personal
1980s
1986

Beckham was a Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United in...

Beckham was a Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United in 1986

personal
1990s
1990

During a two-year period in which Beckham played for Brimsdown Rovers' youth...

During a two-year period in which Beckham played for Brimsdown Rovers' youth team, he was named Under-15 Player of the Year in 1990

personal
1991

Manchester United 1991–1994: Youth and early-career Having signed for...

Manchester United 1991–1994: Youth and early-career Having signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991, Beckham was part of a group of young players, including Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, who were coached by Eric Harrison, and helped the club win

career
1992

Beckham's impact led to a first-team debut on 23 September 1992, as a...

Beckham's impact led to a first-team debut on 23 September 1992, as a substitute for Andrei Kanchelskis in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion

career
1993

In the second leg on 13 May 1993, Beckham played the full 90 minutes of...

In the second leg on 13 May 1993, Beckham played the full 90 minutes of Manchester United's 2–1 defeat, which gave Leeds United a 4–1 aggregate score

career
1994

On 7 December 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a...

On 7 December 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4–0 victory at home to Galatasaray in the final game of the group stage

career
1996

Halfway Line Goal

Scores a spectacular goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon.

career
1999

Treble Winner

Wins the historic treble with Manchester United.

award
2000s
2001

Free Kick vs Greece

Scores a dramatic last-minute free kick to send England to the 2002 World Cup.

career
2003

Signs for Real Madrid

Joins Real Madrid's 'Galácticos' for £25 million.

career
2007

Signs for LA Galaxy

Announces move to LA Galaxy, transforming MLS.

career
2010s
2013

Retirement

Announces retirement from professional football at age 38.

career
2020s
2023

Brings Messi to Miami

Signs Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, the most significant signing in MLS history.

career

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