David Beckham: A Catalogue of Life and Career Atlas
From a rising star at Manchester Union College to one of the sport's most recognised stars, David Beckham's impromptu crossings, stunning free kicks, trendsetting hairstyles and stylish lifestyles have captured the eye of fans and critics alike. Let's take a look at the unforgettable moments in the life and career of the former English football captain so far.
David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 in London, England. He caught the attention of scouts at a young age and joined Manchester United at the age of 16 as a trainee player.
Beckham, along with Paul Scholes, Nicky Barthes, Ryan Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, formed one of the most famous teams in later history – Manchester United Class 92. The players were part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup and later became the 1999 triple-winners of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
(From left to right) Around 1992, Manchester United youth coach Eric Harrison with Giggs, Nicky Bart, Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Scholes and Terry Cook.
David Beckham's steady performance in the youth squad earned him a professional contract with Manchester United at the age of 18. He was loaned to Preston North for a period of time in 1994–95, but returned to his club in the second half of the season, making his Premier League debut against Leeds.
General manager Alex Ferguson hired David Beckham as a right winger in 1995–96, which proved to be a trick. He has been extremely good throughout the season and has helped Manchester United win league titles and FA Cup titles. On top of that, David Beckham won the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and contributed to the goal of Eric Cantona (right) in the final.
At the start of the 1996-97 season, David Beckham was given the coveted no. 10 shirt, and on the opening day against Wimbledon he scored a magical goal that proved the wisdom of the decision. The young footballer spotted a hole in opponent goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, picked a ball from the mid-line and unbelievably ended up in the net.
His performances at Manchester United earned him a place on the England national football team and also made his debut in the 1996 World Cup qualifiers against Moldova.
As one of Britain's most popular poster boys of the 90s, Beckham made headlines when he started dating pop singer Victoria Adams (the "fashionable hot girls" in the Band Spice Girls).
The 1996–97 season proved to be a great success for both Manchester United and David David David. The team has won two consecutive Premier League titles and he has also won the PFA (England Professional Players League) Young Player of the Year award.
Beckham's commercial potential led him to sign an endorsement contract with sports equipment giant Adidas. In 1998, his endorsement income was about $13 million.
At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, he scored his first international goal – a free kick against Colombia. However, his match turned into a nightmare in his 16th round against Argentina, when he was sent off for playing Diego Simeone (left). England lost the match in the penalty shootout and Beckham's penalty was seen by many as the defining moment.
On March 4, 1999, David Beckham and Victoria welcomed their first son, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn hugs his father after a game in May 2000.
David Beckham played his best football in 1998-99. The Reds have won their coveted Triple Crown in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. David Beckham played a prominent role in all three wins, helping United score two corners in the Champions League final.
On 10 March 1999, while breaking into a corner kick in the FA Cup quarter-final in London, he flew a kiss to fans of rival club Chelsea. United won 2-0.
On 4 July 1999, he married Victoria at a lavish wedding in a castle on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. They were dubbed "posh and becks" by the media, and to this day they remain one of the most favored couples in the world.
Beckham's consistent performances have earned him praise, and he was twice named FIFA Player of the Year in 1999 and 2001. In 2000, he was appointed captain of the England national team by then-coach Peter Taylor (right). He led LinkedIn Grand at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, winning a 1-0 win over Argentina. However, England were out in the quarter-finals against the final champions Brazil.
On the Queen's birthday in 2003, he was awarded the Order of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Beckham's relationship with Alex Ferguson took a dismal turn at the end of the 2002-03 season. After United beat Arsenal in the FA Cup, an enraged Ferguson kicked a boot that hit Beckham in the left eye, leaving a wound that required stitches. However, the two soon reconciled and remain good friends to this day.
In 2002 and 2005, the Beckhams welcomed the birth of two sons: Romeo (right) and Cruz (left).
His final season at Manchester United was a success, with they winning the Premier League title in 2002-03. He ended his career at Old Trafford, making 394 appearances for the club, scoring 85 goals.
In June 2003, Spanish giants Real Madrid, who chaired Florentino Perez, bid for Beckham, which Beckham also accepted, and the England star also joined los blancos. He was a member of the star-studded Real Madrid team, which came to be known as the Galaticos team, which included Zidadin Zidane, Raul Gonzalez, Luis Figo and Ronaldo.
(Top row from left to right) Iker Casillas, Ivan Helguera, Ronardo, Francisco Pavon, Figo and Zidane; (Bottom row from left to right) Beckham, Michel Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Gonzalez and Esteban Gambias.
The star published his autobiography, My Side, in 2003, which chronicled his journey from a young athlete to one of United's richest stars.
As it turned out, the 2006 FIFA World Cup was his last game as England captain. England were eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Portugal in the quarter-finals and David Beckham also withdrew from the national team.
Despite his modest success at Real Madrid, his performance in the Spanish capital city ended with his la Liga title in 2007.
Beckham was signed by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and reportedly moved to the U.S. after paying a $250 million transfer fee.
Beckham, who played for Real Madrid, fabio capello (England's 2010 FIFA World Cup manager), brought the midfielder back to the pitch in hopes of getting a place. In order to maintain the highest level of game fitness, David Beckham decided to transfer to Italian side ac Milan in January 2009 with a loan agreement.
After a stint at ac Milan in 2008-09, David Beckham appeared poised to secure a spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in England and extended his loan contract with Rossoneri until part of the 2009-10 season. Unfortunately, in March 2010, Achilles tendon injuries caused during a match against Chievo, depriving David Beckham of the World Cup in South Africa.
He was a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy, which beat Houston Dynamo to win the 2011 MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup. The Briton extended his contract with the LA Galaxy for another season in January 2012. He also won the second MLS Cup title, thus ending his career in the United States.
In January 2013, Ligue 1 giant Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) signed a five-month deal with him. Others mentioned that his salary , reportedly £170,000 a week , would be donated to a children's charity in France. Beckham played with players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right), thiago Silva and Javier pastore to help PSG win the Ligue 1 title.
Beckham was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 and extended his term of office by a decade in 2015. In January 2016, he received UNICEF's Humanitarian Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding humanitarians who have helped the organization save the lives of children. David Beckham received the honor of proposing to organize seven football games on seven continents to help transform the lives of children.
He has also appeared from time to time in several films, the most memorable of which appeared in One Ball Fame (2005), Secret Agent (2015) and King Arthur: Battle of the Beasts (2017, pictured).
In the lens, the brand value of advertisers, and the eyes of fanatic fans, Beckham is the most capable of playing football among the stars, or the most valuable of the players, or the most stylish and stylish of the people who will make money, and he himself has always lived in the temperature of the darling.
David Beckham is as well known in the UK as Michael Jordan is in the U.S., and their global popularity is comparable to each other. Ever since the day Beckham made his name on the football pitch, especially as the boyfriend of the hot girl, he can no longer wander the streets as freely as a normal person. He became a figure living in the spotlight, and his every move became the focus of attention.