About David Beckham

David Beckham is a worldwide icon, who as a footballer is a legend for England, Manchester United and the Premiership as a whole. Taken to Manchester as a lad from London, Beckham was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous “Golden Generation”, along with Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, and Gary and Phil Neville. Beckham made his mark as a right-sided midfielder, and is known for being one of the most exceptional strikers of the ball in the game, something he has worked very hard on. As a result, his ability with crosses, corners, free-kicks and long passes is fantastic.

Beckham's Background

David Beckham was born in London, but great up with a love of Man United that he had inherited from his parents, both fanatical supporters of the Red Devils. Although living in London, he was involved with the club, participating in training camps, soccer schools, and as a mascot. As a schoolboy, David Beckham represented the county of Essex, had trials with Leyton Orient and attended Tottenham Hotspur's school of excellence.

After signing for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991, he helped the club to win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992, scoring in the second leg of the final against Crystal Palace.

Several months later, on 23 September 1992, David made his first team debut as a substitute in the Rumbelows Cup tie at Brighton and Hove Albion. However, he then had to wait a further two-and-a-half years to make his League debut. During this time, he collected a runners-up medal in the 1993 FA Youth Cup (United lost to Leeds in the final) and a reserve team championship medal in 1994. He also played five matches on loan for Preston North End, scoring two goals for the Lancashire club.

David eventually made his Premier League debut at home to Leeds United on 2 April 1995, but it was in the following season, 1995/96, that he really established himself in the first team. David played predominantly in the right midfield position that had been vacated by Andrei Kanchelskis, and started to show the knack for scoring great goals, including the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. The season ended with United winning their second Double.

David started the next campaign, 1996/97, by scoring his most famous goal - from the halfway line against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. He went on to earn his first senior cap for England, on 1 September 1996 against Moldova in Kishinev. He had previously been capped at youth and Under-21 level. David's match-winning performances during 1996/97 helped United to win another Premiership title and reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. On a personal level, he was voted Young Player of the Year and second in the overall Player of the Year poll.

The 1997/98 season was a disappointing one for United as they finished second to Arsenal in the League, lost to Barnsley in the FA Cup and were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Monaco. There was some consolation for David, though, when he was selected for England's World Cup Finals squad.

The 1998 World Cup Finals provided mixed feelings for David, and were later seen as something of a turning point in his career. After being left out of the starting line-up for the first two matches, he then scored a stunning free-kick for England against Colombia and was hailed a national hero. He was later branded a villain, however, when he was sent off for a foul on Diego Simeone as England were knocked out in the second round by Argentina. It was the first red card of David's career. Some experts predicted that his World Cup problems could lead to David's exit from English football, but he knuckled down to prove them all wrong. In the first League game of the 1998/99 season against Leicester City, he curled in one of his trademark free-kicks to prevent defeat.

In March 1999 he became a father to Brooklyn, whose name appeared on his boots when United completed the unprecedented Treble of Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup. In July 1999, David married Victoria Adams, better known as 'Posh', a member of the Spice Girls pop group.

The 1999/2000 season was another successful one for David, despite all the press hype caused by a new haircut and a high-profile argument with Sir Alex Ferguson. The midfielder picked up his fourth Premiership winner's medal, and was voted second best player in Europe and the World. Rivaldo of Barcelona and Brazil pipped him to both awards. David also finished runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, losing out to boxing champion Lennox Lewis.

The major highlights of David's 2000/01 season were on the international stage, although he again won the Premiership title with United, having scored in three matches in a row early in the campaign.

David proudly captained England for the first time in a friendly in Italy and then kept the armband for the friendly with Spain and the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Finland, against whom he scored an important goal at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC.

He saved the most important goal for Old Trafford, however, and his last-gasp goal against Greece in October 2001 secured England's place at the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. After breaking a metatarsal bone in his left foot against Deportivo la Coruna, the nation waited to see if the inspirational captain would be fit to lead Sven's men in the Far East.

In the end, he recovered but was not fully fit as England drew 1-1 with Sweden before Becks' penalty beat pre-tournament favourites Argentina. A 0-0 draw with Nigeria took David and the lads through to the second round where a comprehensive 3-0 win over Denmark set up a quarter-final against Brazil. The Samba Kings was a step too far for England, however, and they lost 2-1 before coming home to a heroes' welcome. What a difference four years makes.

The 2002/03 season again saw Beckham make headlines both on and off the pitch. He found the net eleven times in total - but only once in the Premiership, on the last day of the season at Goodison Park. A stray boot, kicked in frustration by Sir Alex Ferguson, accidentally struck Becks on the forehead in the dressing room and ensured more tabloid coverage for the England captain. That was nothing compared to the frenzy at the end of the season where he was linked with moves to Real Madrid, AC Milan and Barcelona after winning his sixth League title with United.

That infamous “boot incident” seemed to be the final straw with Beckham and ManU. It ultimately lead to one of the most high profile transfers is soccer history. The transfer of David Beckham to Real Madrid made international headlines. The signing on 17/6/03 was televised in more than 100 countries.

The record £25m switch raised as many questions and is did answers. Many in the soccer world felt that the move was simply for “personality reasons”, and that Beckham was “to slow” for such a high level of football. The critics were silenced when Beckham scored 2 minutes into his Real Madrid debut. Beckham is now joined with some of the most potent football talent in the world. Ronaldo, Raul, Zinedine Zidane and Beckham will all be on the field at the same time! Needless to say, Real Madrid will be a very tough team for a while!

Club Football

Manchester United

David Beckham when he was a kid at ManU

He made his professional Manchester United debut at 17, and rose to prominence when scoring a glorious goal from just in front of the halfway-line against Wimbledon in 1996. What followed was a gloriously successful career, where he won the Premiership title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the Champions League in 1999. [[Image: Beckham_manchester_united.JPG|thumb|Success playing for ManU]] However, after his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated (when the latter kicked a boot into his forehead), Beckham sought more glamour, and moved to Real Madrid in 2003.

Preston North End

Beckham was sent on loan to Preston North End for part of the 1994-95 season to get some first team experience. PNE was positive for a young Beckham, and he got to play alongside characters like current Everton managed David Moyes.

Real Madrid

Not a lot of Glory with "Los Galacticos"

It was a fitting farewell to his career in Spain, and as his contract was up at the end of the season, he had already made a decision to sign for LA Galaxy in the MLS.

LA Galaxy

Sold out Stadiums to see Beckham with the L.A. Galaxy

However, his arrival did have an impact. Every away game that the Galaxy played between his arrival and the end of the season was sold out, and attendances soared. A fit Beckham is expected to spearhead the Galaxy’s title challenge this term, after their poor showing last year.

England Football Team

Beckham earned his first England cap on September 1, 1996. This was the season where he became an automatic choice for Manchester United, and he soon became an England regular as well. At the time of writing, he has amassed 99 caps for his country, and is working hard to earn his 100th under new coach Fabio Capello.

National Team Captain in action - World Cup 2006

However Beckham continued to play well for England, and in 2000 was appointed as captain under caretaker manager Peter Taylor, and retained the armband when Sven-Goran Eriksson was appointed. Beckham was part of several inspirational campaigns under the Swede, and will be widely remember for his last minute free kick, following an inspirational performance, against Greece that gave England a 2-2 draw, and qualification for the World Cup.

Despite England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Beckham’s status as a national hero has remained unaffected. He is expected to earn more caps as long as he can stay fit and play regularly for the LA Galaxy, although his international engagements are expected to interfere significantly with his club fixtures due to the travel times involved. Remarkably, England have not lost a game in which Beckham has scored.

International Goals

Awards and Honours

Manchester United (1993–2003)

• Premier League - Champion (6): 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03
• Premier League - Runner Up: 1994–95, 1997–98
• FA Cup Winner (2): 1996, 1999
• FA Cup Runner Up: 1995
• UEFA Champions League Winner: 1998–99
• Intercontinental Cup: 1999
• UEFA Super Cup Runner Up: 1999
• Community Shield Winner (4): 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997
• Community Shield Runner Up: 1998, 2000, 2001
• FA Youth Cup Winner: 1992

Real Madrid (2003–2007)

• Primera División Champion (1): 2006–2007
• Supercopa de España (1): 2003

LA Galaxy (2007–present)

• SuperLiga Finalist: 2007

Personal Awards

Career Statistics

M = Matches, G = Goals, A = Assists

David's Personal Life

The Becks

The Beckhams are very close friends with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and the fours of them are often seen at various celebrity events together. Apart from his celebrity and football commitments, Beckham has opened grassroots football programmes around the world, called “David Beckham Soccer Schools”. At present there is one in Los Angeles, and one in Rio de Janeiro. Beckham is very into fashion and clothes, and has a soft spot for tattoos (he has 12 of them).

Becks is also keen to do his bit for charity. He has been a UNICEF supporter since his Manchester United days, and is a Goodwill Ambassador for them now. He is a spokesperson for “Malaria No More”, and has been a public advocate for the various MLS-related charities.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham: Not your typical soccer mom

David and Victoria Beckham have been married since 1999, and started dating in 1997. They had a grand wedding reception at a castle in Ireland which cost half a million pounds, and afterwards spent $15 million on a palatial home on the edge of London that came to be known as “Beckingham Palace”. Victoria’s career has gone on various tangents since the demise of the Spice Girls – she has released solo albums, modelled, designed her own range of clothes and fashions, and since the Beckhams’ arrival in LA has looked into various TV and film opportunities.beckham also have fear of birds.he has 12 tatoos in his body.in his arm,his wife name is tatooed in hindi.and on his back,he has his three sons name spelled.he was claimed to have affairs with two womens but he dismissed both of it.he also has three appearance in movies such as bend it like beckham,the goal!trilogy and asterix.

Tatoos

-this is the chronology of his tatoos

• april 1999-son brooklyn's name on his back

          -"guardian angel" on his back

• 2000-hindi"victoria"on his left arm
• april 2002-roman numeral VII(7)on his right forearm
• may 2003-latin phrase"perfectio in spiritu"meaning"spritual perfection",on his left arm

        -more latin,"ut amem et foveam"or"so that i love and cherish",on his left arm

• 2003-son romeo's name on his back

    -classical art design on his shoulder

• 2004-winged croos on the back of his neck

    -angel with motto"in the face of adversity"on right arm

• mar 2005-son cruz's name on his back
• june 2006-second angels and cloudsadded to right arm and shoulders
• jan 2008-portrait of victoria on left forearm
• feb 2008-"forever by your side"on left forearm
• 9th mar 2008 in 4th floor,no 8,cameron road,tsim sha tsui hong kong-the chinese proverb"death and life determined appointments.riches and honour depend on heaven".down his left torso.running from his nipple to his groin

beckham has attributed that many tattos to his obsessive-compulsive disorder,and claims to be addicted to the pain of the needle.

Books

• beckham,david(2002).david beckham:my side.harpercollinswillow
• beckham,david;freeman,dean(2001).beckham:my world.hodder&stoughton ltd.
• beckham david;watt,tom(2003).beckham:both feet on the ground.harpercollins
• crick,michael(2003).the boss--the many sides of alex ferguson.pocket books.
• ferguson,alex;mcllavney,hugh(1999).managing my life--my autobiography.hodder&stoughton

Nicknames

• Dave
• Becks
• Golden Balls
• DB7

Trade Marks

• number 7 t-shirt for Manchester United and England
• number 23 t-shirt for Real Madrid and LA Galaxy

Trivia

• engaged to "posh spices"Victoria Adams,who's part of the British Pop Group The Spice Girls(25 January 1998).
• father of Brooklyn Beckham.the couple pick the name"Brooklyn"because there were in Brooklyn when they found out that Victoria was pregnant.
• won the treble with Manchester United(Premeiership,FA Cup,UEFA Champions League).[1999].
• his first goal for England came at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens in the 2-0 victory against Colombia on June 26 1998 during the World Cup.
• voted the #1 beat male body in"Celebrities Bodies"(UK) magazine[October 2001].
• voted best dressed male by readers of "Heat"(UK)magazine.[December 2001].
• he began his footballing career at the age of 17.
• welcomed second son Romeo Beckham on September 1,2002.the baby weighed 7lbs 4oz.
• he been dubbed a master of set-pieces specialising in free-kicks and has developed one which known around the world as the 'Beckham' which involves lifting the ball over the 'wall',sending towards the far post,but bending it to the near post confusing the keeper and having the ball just dip under the bar for the goal.
• scored on his first team debut in the European Cup against Galatasaray.
• was signed by Manchester United to their youth training program at the age of 14.his youth team also featured the Neville brothers,Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.
• voted the 91st worst Briton in Channel Four's polls of the 100 Worst Britons.[11 may 2003].
• 17th June 2003-signed a four year deal worth 24.5m to play for Real Madrid.
• he began his soccer career at the age of 17.
• former Manchester United footballer.
• signed new contract with Manchester United until 2005,making him the highest paid footballer in Britain at the moment-though he would be sold to Real Madrid a year later.[May 2002].
• declared he would retain the England captaincy,despite criticism for poor performances and two missed penalties in Euro'2004.[June 2004].
• in November 1996,Beckham was abroad for his first trip with the England squad,in Tbilisi,Georgia.there,he saw the video that would change his life.it was"So You'll Be There"by the Spice Girls.Beckham pointed at he screen and said to his best friend Gary Neville that the girl dressed in black PVC catsuit(Victoria)was the woman he wanted and if she wanted him,they would be together for ever.a few months later,they began dating.
• David and Victoria had a lavish,star studded party for the christening of their two sons,Brooklyn,5,and Romeo,2.the ceremony was held on the grounds of the Beckham'Hertfordshire mansion(23 December 2004).
• third son,Cruz Beckham,born in Madrid(20 February 2005)
• was famously sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup in France for retaliation.
• he wears a new pair of football boots for every game he plays at an estimated cost of 300 pounds a pair.

Sponsors

• Adidas
• Castrol
• TBC Cosmetics
• Upper Deck
• Police Sunglasses
• Pepsi
• Meiji
• Marks & Spencer
• Vodafone
• Tsubasa Systems

Important Links

The Official David Beckham site

References