Editing David Beckham

{{Short description|English footballer (born 1975)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = David Beckham
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| image              = David Beckham UNICEF (cropped2).jpg
| caption            = Beckham in 2021
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1975|5|2|df=y}}
| birth_place        = London, England
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
*[[Association football|Footballer]] 
*Businessman}}
| organisation       = [[UNICEF]], [[Malaria No More]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.malarianomore.org.uk/ |title=Malaria No More |work=malarianomore.org.uk |access-date=13 May 2015 |archive-date=19 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219182047/https://www.malarianomore.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| agent              = [[Simon Fuller]] ([[XIX Entertainment]])
| height             = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psg.fr/en/First-Team/300002/Player-sheet/3122/Beckham-David|title=David Beckham|publisher=Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423054800/http://www.psg.fr/en/First-Team/300002/Player-sheet/3122/Beckham-David|archive-date=23 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/331/David-Beckham/overview|title=David Beckham: Overview|publisher=Premier League|access-date=16 July 2022|archive-date=15 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415212720/https://www.premierleague.com/players/331/David-Beckham/overview|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/david-beckham/|title=David Beckham|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=16 July 2022|archive-date=16 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716110352/https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/david-beckham/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Victoria Beckham|Victoria Adams]]|4 July 1999}}
| children           = 4, including [[Brooklyn Beckham|Brooklyn]] and [[Romeo Beckham|Romeo]]
| relatives          = [[Nicola Peltz]] (daughter-in-law)
| website            = {{URL|davidbeckham.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox football biography
 | embed            = yes
| header-color = #b0c4de 
 | position         = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1     = |youthclubs1 = Ridgeway Rovers
| youthyears2     = 1987–1991 |youthclubs2 = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Tottenham Hotspur]]
| youthyears3     = 1989–1991 |youthclubs3 = → [[Brimsdown Rovers F.C.|Brimsdown Rovers]] (loan)
| youthyears4     = 1991–1994 |youthclubs4 = [[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy|Manchester United]]
| years1          = 1992–2003 |clubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]          |caps1 = 265 |goals1 = 62
| years2          = 1995      |clubs2 = → [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] (loan) |caps2 = 5   |goals2 = 2
| years3          = 2003–2007 |clubs3 = [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]                        |caps3 = 116 |goals3 = 13
| years4          = 2007–2012 |clubs4 = [[LA Galaxy]]                                         |caps4 = 98  |goals4 = 18
| years5          = 2009      |clubs5 = → [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] (loan)                   |caps5 = 18  |goals5 = 2<!--SEPARATE LOANS-->
| years6          = 2010      |clubs6 = → [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] (loan)                   |caps6 = 11  |goals6 = 0<!--SEPARATE LOANS-->
| years7          = 2013      |clubs7 = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]      |caps7 = 10  |goals7 = 0
| totalcaps       = 523 |totalgoals = 97
| nationalyears1  = 1992–1993 |nationalteam1 = [[England national under-18 football team|England U18]] |nationalcaps1 = 3   |nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2  = 1994–1996 |nationalteam2 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] |nationalcaps2 = 9   |nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3  = 1996–2009 |nationalteam3 = [[England national football team|England]]              |nationalcaps3 = 115 |nationalgoals3 = 17
}}
}}

'''David Robert Joseph Beckham''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɛ|k|əm}} {{respell|BEK|əm}};<ref>{{citation|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref> born 2 May 1975) is an English former professional [[Association football|footballer]], the president and co-owner of [[Inter Miami CF]] and co-owner of [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47077888 |title=David Beckham: Salford City directorship approved by Football Association |website=BBC Sport |accessdate=24 June 2019 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022160001/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47077888 |url-status=live }}</ref> Primarily a [[right winger]] and known for his range of passing, [[Cross (association football)|crossing]] ability and [[Free kick (association football)|free-kick]] taking, Beckham is considered one of the best players of his generation, one of the greatest players in Premier League history and one of the best free-kick takers of all time.<ref name="Beckham best generation">{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Matt |date=16 May 2013 |title=David Beckham was one of best and most significant footballers of his generation |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/david-beckham-was-one-of-best-and-most-significant-footballers-of-his-generation-sj08rbfx9g5 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901190943/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/david-beckham-was-one-of-best-and-most-significant-footballers-of-his-generation-sj08rbfx9g5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="best freekick takers history">{{cite web |last1=Lara |first1=Lorenzo |last2=Mogollo |first2=Álvaro |last3=Wilson |first3=Emily |date=20 September 2018 |title=Messi and the other best freekick takers in football history |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/09/20/5ba2969c268e3e35188b45ad.html |access-date=1 September 2019 |work=Marca |location=Spain |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610214908/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/09/20/5ba2969c268e3e35188b45ad.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fourfourtwo">{{cite news|last=|first=|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list|title=Ranked! The 101 greatest football players of the last 25 years: full list|edition=253|work=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=13 February 2018|accessdate=22 December 2023|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928145722/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Mark |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-100-best-premier-league-players-ever/4|title=Ranked! The 100 best Premier League players ever|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=25 March 2025|accessdate=25 March 2025}}</ref> He won 19 major trophies in his career, and is the first English player to win league titles in four different countries: England, Spain, the United States and France.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-stats-numbers |title=David Beckham: his club and international career in stats |work=The Guardian |accessdate=20 September 2015 |archive-date=7 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807022557/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-stats-numbers |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham's professional club career began with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], where he made his first-team debut in 1992 at age 17.<ref name="galaxybio">{{Cite news|title=Los Angeles Galaxy: Player bio |url=http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?player=beckham_d&playerId=bec369464&statType=current&team=t106 |publisher=LA Galaxy |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=9 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028224000/http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=beckham_d&playerId=bec369464&statType=current |archive-date=28 October 2008 }}</ref> With United, he won the [[Premier League]] title six times, the [[FA Cup]] twice, the [[FA Community Shield|FA Charity Shield]] twice, the [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]] and the [[UEFA Champions League]] in 1999.<ref name="galaxybio"/> He then played four seasons with [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham joins Real Madrid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/2998868.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2003 |access-date=9 September 2008 |archive-date=26 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226115729/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/2998868.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> winning the [[La Liga]] title in his final season with the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham bows out with Liga title |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2007 |access-date=9 September 2008 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217013123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2007, Beckham signed a five-year contract with [[Major League Soccer]] club [[LA Galaxy]];<ref name="Bandini">{{Cite news |first=Paolo |last=Bandini |title=Beckham confirms LA Galaxy move |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/continentalfootball/story/0,,1988215,00.html |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=11 January 2007 |access-date=10 May 2007 |archive-date=24 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724031720/http://football.guardian.co.uk/continentalfootball/story/0,,1988215,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> it was widely cited as a historic transfer for football in America.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-28 |title=David Beckham's signing with Galaxy made lasting impact on MLS |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2020-02-28/david-beckham-signing-with-the-galaxy-made-lasting-impact-on-mls |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> While a Galaxy player, he spent two loan spells in Italy with [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] in 2009 and 2010, and became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League games.<ref name="galaxybio" /> He returned to Galaxy and won the [[MLS Cup]] in [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]] and [[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]]. Following a four-month stint at [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]], he retired in May 2013 after a 20-year career.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 May 2013 |title=David Beckham wears captain's armband, adds assist for PSG in likely career finale – Yahoo! Sports |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/david-beckham-wears-captains-armband-161242615--mls.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609170008/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/david-beckham-wears-captains-armband-161242615--mls.html |archive-date=9 June 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref>

In international football, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996, at the age of 21. He was [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for [[List of England national football team captains|six years]], earning 58 caps during his tenure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham's England dream realised |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1016201.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 November 2000 |access-date=9 September 2008 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217013123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1016201.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham quits as England captain |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5138288.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2006 |access-date=9 September 2008 |archive-date=10 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210040846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5138288.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He made 115 career appearances in total, appearing at three [[FIFA World Cup]]s in [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] and [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] as well as two [[UEFA European Championship]]s in [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]] and [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]. Beckham held the England appearance record for an [[Outfield#Association football|outfield player]] until 2016.

A global ambassador of football, Beckham is considered a British cultural icon.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 November 2016 |title=Shakespeare 'a cultural icon' abroad |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27110234 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913230807/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27110234 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Savell Reavis |first1=Tracey |title=The Life and Career of David Beckham: Football Legend, Cultural Icon |date=2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |pages=158, 175}}</ref> He has been in a well publicised marriage to [[Victoria Beckham]] since 1999 and was consistently ranked among the highest earners in football, in 2013 being listed as the highest-paid player in the world having earned over {{USD|50&nbsp;million}} in the previous twelve months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2013/04/17/the-worlds-best-paid-soccer-players/|title=The World's Best-Paid Soccer Players|date=17 April 2013|work=Forbes|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=18 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918225903/http://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2013/04/17/the-worlds-best-paid-soccer-players/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/woman/life/david-beckham-kids-named-most-stylish-celebrity-children-in-the-world-30170165.html|title=David Beckham kids named most stylish celebrity children in the world – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk|date=9 April 2014|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|access-date=6 July 2014|archive-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806062152/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/woman/life/david-beckham-kids-named-most-stylish-celebrity-children-in-the-world-30170165.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Beckham was runner-up in the [[Ballon d'Or]] in [[1999 Ballon d'Or|1999]], twice runner-up for [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] ([[1999 FIFA World Player of the Year|1999]] and [[2001 FIFA World Player of the Year|2001]]) and in 2004 was named by [[Pelé]] in the [[FIFA 100]] list of the world's greatest living players.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Daniel|first1=Taylor|title=David Beckham exits as gracefully as one of his arcing crosses|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-career|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=18 December 2014|date=16 May 2013|archive-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920100059/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-career|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pele's list of the greatest">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |work=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=13 November 2013 |archive-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303061731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/player/72740.html|title=David Beckham, Great Britain|publisher=ESPN|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104093836/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/player/72740.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was inducted into the [[English Football Hall of Fame]] in 2008, and the [[Premier League Hall of Fame]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/hall-of-fame/inductees|title=2021 Inductees|work=[[Premier League]]|date=20 May 2021|access-date=21 May 2021|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002140059/https://www.premierleague.com/hall-of-fame/inductees|url-status=live}}</ref> He has been a [[UNICEF UK|UNICEF]] ambassador since 2005, and in 2015 he launched ''7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund''.<ref name="UNICEF">{{cite news|title=David Beckham OBE, Goodwill Ambassador|url=http://m.unicef.org.uk/UNICEFs-Work/Our-supporters/Celebrities/David-Beckham/|publisher=UNICEF|date=16 September 2015}}</ref> In 2014, MLS announced that Beckham and a group of investors would own Inter Miami, which began playing in 2020.<ref name="Miami Beckham">{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/05/3914127/soccer-star-david-beckham-to-bring.html|title=Soccer star David Beckham to bring MLS team to Miami|work=The Miami Herald|first=Patricia|last=Mazzei|date=5 February 2014|access-date=5 February 2014|archive-date=5 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205204058/http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/05/3914127/soccer-star-david-beckham-to-bring.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

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==Early life, family and education==
David Robert Joseph Beckham<ref name="Hugman2003-04">{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=Harpenden |isbn= 978-1-85291-651-0 |page=42 }}</ref> was born on 2 May 1975 at [[Whipps Cross University Hospital]] in [[Leytonstone]], London, England.<ref>{{Cite news |title= BECKHAM – Working-class boy to Man U |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-09-sp-beckham9-story.html |work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date=9 July 2007 |access-date=9 September 2008 |first=Chuck |last=Culpepper |archive-date=7 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207033804/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/09/sports/sp-beckham9 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite book| first= Julie | last= Burchill | year=2012| title= On Beckham| publisher= Random House| isbn= | page= | quote= }}</ref> He was given the middle name Robert in honour of [[Bobby Charlton]], his father's favourite footballer.<ref>{{Citation |title=David Beckham's 29 Questions With Gary Neville {{!}} Overlap Xtra | date=9 June 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpTSe8CFrk0 |access-date=9 June 2022 |archive-date= 9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609135956/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpTSe8CFrk0 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Shukert |first=Rachel |title=David Beckham: I Consider Myself To Be Jewish |website= [[Tablet Magazine]] |date=17 April 2012 |url=http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/205883/david-beckham-i-consider-myself-to-be-jewish |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-date=7 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307224604/http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/205883/david-beckham-i-consider-myself-to-be-jewish |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham has referred to himself as "[[Half-Jewish|half Jewish]]"<ref>{{cite news |first=Dominic |last=Fifield |title=Beckham launches into the Galaxy |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2126173,00.html |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=14 July 2007 |access-date=14 July 2007 |archive-date=27 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127093151/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2126173,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and wrote in his autobiography "I've probably had more contact with Judaism than with any other religion".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |title= Jewish funeral for Beckham's grandfather |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/jewish-funeral-for-beckham-s-grandfather-1.12959 |website=The Jewish Chronicle |date=10 December 2009 |access-date=6 November 2021 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106160133/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/jewish-funeral-for-beckham-s-grandfather-1.12959 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book |first1=David |last1=Beckham |first2=Tom |last2=Watt |title=Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=92wDxf13hoEC&q=Both+Feet+on+the+Ground+church+beckham&pg=PA11 |isbn=978-0-06-057094-1 |date=21 October 2004 |publisher=Harper Collins |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231108152947/https://books.google.com/books?id=92wDxf13hoEC&q=Both+Feet+on+the+Ground+church+beckham&pg=PA11#v=snippet&q=Both%20Feet%20on%20the%20Ground%20church%20beckham&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

His parents were fanatical [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] supporters who frequently travelled {{Convert|200|mi|km}} to [[Old Trafford]] from London to attend the team's home matches.<ref>{{cite book |title=20 Soccer Superstars |date=2010 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |page=8}}</ref> David inherited his parents' love of Manchester United, and his main sporting passion was football. In a 2007 interview, Beckham said that, "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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2007/08/beckhams_steven_klein?currentPage=2|title=American Idols|work=[[W magazine]]|date=1 August 2007|access-date=24 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214155704/http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2007/08/beckhams_steven_klein?currentPage=2|archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref> Beckham was a late developer and not selected to represent the England Schoolboys' team primarily on account of his small size.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 April 2021|title=Why David Beckham Didn't Play for England Schoolboys......| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON3HvHjubrY|access-date=27 April 2021|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211130/ON3HvHjubrY Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210429121359/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON3HvHjubrY Wayback Machine]</ref> He attended one of Bobby Charlton's Soccer Schools in [[Manchester]] and won the chance to take part in a training session with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], as part of a talent competition.<ref>{{cite book |last1 =Robinson |first1=Tom |title=David Beckham: Soccer's Superstar |date=2008 |publisher=Enslow Publishing, LLC |page=20}}</ref> 

He played for a local youth team called Ridgeway Rovers, which was coached by his father, Stuart Underwood, and Steve Kirby. Beckham was a Manchester United mascot for a match against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in 1986. Young Beckham had trials with his local club [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]], [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] and attended [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]'s school of excellence, though never represented the club in a match. During a two-year period in which Beckham played for [[Brimsdown Rovers F.C.|Brimsdown Rovers]]' youth team, he was named Under-15 Player of the Year in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|title= Becks' Brimsdown boost| website= thefa.com | date=24 September 2004|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFAVase/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/09/BecksBrimsdownBoost.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20041011163715/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFAVase/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/09/BecksBrimsdownBoost.htm |url-status= dead|archive-date=11 October 2004|publisher= The Football Association|access-date= 7 July 2007}}</ref> Beckham attended [[Chingford Foundation School|Chingford County High School]] in Nevin Drive, [[Chingford]].<ref>{{cite web| website= artscouncil.org.uk |publisher= Arts Council England| url= http://press.artscouncil.org.uk/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=363&newsareaid=2 | archiveurl= http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120202222937/http://press.artscouncil.org.uk/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=363&newsareaid=2 | title= School puts the arts at the heart of learning| date= 21 October 2008| archivedate= 2 February 2012| accessdate= }}</ref> 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.<ref name="YTS">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A1138600|title=David Beckham – Rise of a Footballer | website= bbc.co.uk |access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=21 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721164247/http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A1138600|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Manchester United===
====1991–1994: Youth and early-career====
Having signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991,<ref name="H2G2">{{cite web |url=http://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A1138600 |title=David Beckham – Rise of a Footballer |website=The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition |date=19 August 2003 |publisher=Not Panicking |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-date=27 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927112748/https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A1138600 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 (footballer)|Eric Harrison]], and helped the club win the [[FA Youth Cup]] in [[FA Youth Cup Finals of the 1990s#1991–92: Manchester United v. Crystal Palace (3–1 and 3–2, 6–3 Aggregate)|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 F.C.|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 [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] match against [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]]. Shortly afterwards, Beckham signed as a professional on 23 January 1993.<ref name="H2G2" />

Manchester United again reached the [[FA Youth Cup Finals of the 1990s#1992–93: Leeds United v. Manchester United (2–0 and 2–1, 4–1 Aggregate)|final of the FA Youth Cup]], where they faced [[Leeds United F.C.|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 F.C.|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 S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] in the final game of the group stage. Despite the victory, however, they finished third out of four in their group, behind Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=1994/standings/index.html|title=Champions League 1994/95 Standings|publisher=UEFA|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825073413/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=1994/standings/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====1994–1995: Loan to Preston North End====
Beckham then went to [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], on loan for part of the [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95 season]], to get some first-team experience.

{{blockquote|
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>}}

He scored two goals in five appearances, notably directly from a [[corner kick]].<ref name="OBE">{{cite news |date=13 June 2003 |title=Beckham's pride at OBE |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2988104.stm |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805021147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2988104.stm |archive-date=5 August 2017}}</ref>

====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 United in the league that season, as they finished second behind [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], missing out on a third successive Premier League title by a single point. He was not in the squad for the [[1995 FA Cup Final|FA Cup final]] with [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] on 20 May, which United lost 1–0, leaving the club without a major trophy for the first time since 1989.<ref>Graham Hart (1995). "The Guinness football encyclopedia". p. 69. Guinness</ref>

United manager [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]] had a great deal of confidence in the club's young players. Beckham was part of a group of young talents Ferguson brought into United in the 1990s (known as "[[Fergie's Fledglings]]"), which included [[Nicky Butt]] and [[Gary Neville|Gary]] and [[Phil Neville]]. When experienced players [[Paul Ince]], [[Mark Hughes]] and [[Andrei Kanchelskis]] left the club after the end of the 1994–95 season, his decision to let youth team players replace them instead of buying star players from other clubs (United had been linked with moves for players including [[Darren Anderton]], [[Marc Overmars]] and [[Roberto Baggio]], but no major signings were made that summer), drew a great deal of criticism. The criticism increased when United started the season with a 3–1 defeat at [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]],<ref>The most famous comment was [[Alan Hansen]]'s "You can't win anything with kids", quoted in ''The Boss''. Beckham scored United's goal (his first for them in the league) from a distance of around 30&nbsp;metres.</ref> with Beckham scoring United's only goal of the game. However, United recovered from this early-season defeat and the young players performed well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Sir-Alex-25-Years/Trophies/Trophy-Articles/League-199596.aspx|title=Man Utd season review 1995/96|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232144/http://www.manutd.com/en/Sir-Alex-25-Years/Trophies/Trophy-Articles/League-199596.aspx|archive-date=25 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beckham swiftly established himself as United's right-sided midfielder (rather than a right-winger in the style of his predecessor Andrei Kanchelskis) and helped them to win the Premier League title and [[FA Cup]] [[Double (association football)|double]] that season, scoring the winner in the semi-final against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and also providing the [[corner kick|corner]] from which [[Eric Cantona]] scored in the FA Cup Final. Beckham's first title medal had, for a while, looked like it would not be coming that season, as United were still 10 points adrift of leaders [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] at the turn of the new year, but Beckham and his teammates had overhauled the [[Tyneside]]rs at the top of the league by mid March and they remained top until the end of the season. Despite playing regularly and to a consistently high standard for Manchester United, Beckham did not break into the England squad before [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Euro 96 stars going strong |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/01/Euro96_Feature.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050326090133/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/01/Euro96_Feature.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2005 |publisher=The Football Association |date=21 January 2005 |access-date=16 July 2007 }}</ref>

====1996–1998: First-choice and inheriting No. 7 shirt====

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="It changed my life. The ball seemed to be in the air for hours and it all went quiet. Then the ball went in and it just erupted. I was on cloud nine."|source=—Beckham on the goal from the half-way line against Wimbledon in August 1996 that made him a household name.<ref>Gwen Russell (2011). "Arise Sir David Beckham: Footballer, Celebrity, Legend – The Biography of Britain's Best Loved Sporting Icon". John Blake Publishing,</ref> It was ranked number 18 on Channel 4's poll of the [[100 Greatest (TV series)#Episodes|100 Greatest Sporting Moments]].<ref name="Channel4 Greatest"/>}}
At the beginning of the [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97 season]], Beckham was given the number 10 shirt that had most recently been worn by Mark Hughes. On 17 August 1996 (the first day of the [[Premier League]] season), Beckham became something of a household name when he scored a spectacular goal in a match against [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]. With United leading 2–0, Beckham noticed that Wimbledon's goalkeeper [[Neil Sullivan]] was standing a long way out of his goal, and hit a shot from the halfway line – {{convert|57|yd}} out – that floated over the goalkeeper and into the net.<ref name="United profile">{{cite news |title=David Beckham profile |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/david-beckham |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=ManUtd.com |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021054005/https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/david-beckham |url-status=live }}</ref>

His goal celebration saw him raise his arms and walk away smiling rather than run as he often would.<ref name="Sky Beckham">{{cite news |title=Remembering that David Beckham wonder goal 20 years on... |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10540496/remembering-that-david-beckham-wonder-goal-20-years-on |access-date=10 October 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011053737/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10540496/remembering-that-david-beckham-wonder-goal-20-years-on |url-status=live }}</ref> In a UK poll conducted by [[Channel 4]] in 2002, the British public voted the goal No.18 of the [[100 Greatest (TV series)#Episodes|100 Greatest Sporting Moments]].<ref name="Channel4 Greatest">{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|title=100 Greatest Sporting Moments – Results|year=2002|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020204090913/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|archive-date=4 February 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> In a 2016 [[Sky Sports]] poll, it was ranked the best opening day goal in Premier League history.<ref name="Sky Beckham"/> During the 1996–97 season, Beckham became an automatic first-choice player at Manchester United, helping them to retain the Premier League title, and was voted [[PFA Young Player of the Year]] by his peers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/awards/pfayoung.php|title=English PFA Young Player of the Year Award|publisher=napit.co.uk|access-date=16 July 2007|archive-date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430050329/http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/awards/pfayoung.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the [[1997–98 in English football|1997–98 season]], Beckham inherited the [[Squad number (association football)|number 7 shirt]], a number previously worn by such United greats as [[George Best]] and [[Eric Cantona]].<ref>{{cite news |title=7 great Manchester United number sevens |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/7-great-manchester-united-number-sevens-36518073.html |access-date=9 August 2019 |work=Independent |archive-date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809145207/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/7-great-manchester-united-number-sevens-36518073.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Manchester United started the season well but erratic performances in the second half of the season saw United finish second behind [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/5880/fix1998.html|title=Fixture List for 1997/98 Season|publisher=geocities.com|access-date=16 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731113715/http://geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/5880/fix1998.html|archive-date=31 July 2009}}</ref> Beckham had the [[1997–98 FA Premier League#Top assists|most assists in the league]] with 13, while his nine Premier League goals included a free kick from the edge of the {{convert|18|yd|0|adj=on}} box against Manchester United's [[Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|arch rivals]] [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist |title=Statistical Leaders – 1998 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624144700/https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist |archive-date=24 June 2017}}</ref>

====1998–1999: Treble====
[[File:1999 FA Cup Final Beckham corner (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Beckham preparing to take a corner kick for [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] during the [[1999 FA Cup Final]] at Wembley Stadium]]
In the [[1998–99 in English football|1998–99 season]], he was part of the United team that won the [[treble (association football)|treble]] of the Premier League, FA Cup and [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], a unique feat in English football until [[2022–23 Manchester City F.C. season|Manchester City's 2022–23 season]].<ref name="treble"/> There had been speculation that the criticism that he had received after being sent off in the World Cup would lead to him leaving England, but Beckham decided to stay at Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Legends/David-Beckham.aspx?pageNo=2|title=Manchester United Legends: David Beckham|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007021554/http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Legends/David-Beckham.aspx?pageNo=2|archive-date=7 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To ensure they would win the Premier League title, United needed to win their final league match of the season, at home to Tottenham. There were reports suggesting that the opposition would allow themselves to be beaten to prevent their local rivals Arsenal from retaining the title, but Tottenham took an early lead in the match.<ref name="treble"/> Beckham scored the equaliser with a curling strike from {{convert|12|yd|spell=in}} out, after receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, placing the ball into the top left corner of the goal; United went on to win the match 2–1 and the league.<ref name="treble"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/345445.stm |title=Glorious United crowned champions |work=BBC Sport |date=27 May 1999 |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403105010/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/345445.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham played in [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|central midfield]] in United's win over [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in the [[1999 UEFA Champions League Final]], as United's first-choice centre-midfielders Paul Scholes and [[Roy Keane]] were suspended for the match.<ref name="treble">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/05/99/uniteds_treble_triumph/354262.stm|title=The Kings of Europe|work=BBC News|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902053741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/05/99/uniteds_treble_triumph/354262.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> United were losing the match 1–0 at the end of normal time, but won the trophy by scoring two goals in injury time. Both of the goals came from corners taken by Beckham.<ref name="treble"/> Those crucial assists, coupled with great performances over the rest of the season, led to him finishing runner up to [[Rivaldo]] for 1999's [[Ballon d'Or|European Footballer of the Year]] and [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/ballondor/archive/edition=1999901999/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232047/http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/archive/edition=1999901999/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2013|title=Rivaldo on top of the world|publisher=FIFA|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref>

====1999–2000: Another Championship====
Despite Beckham's achievements in the 1998–99 season, he was still unpopular among some opposition fans and journalists, and he was criticised after being sent off for a deliberate foul in Manchester United's [[FIFA Club World Cup|World Club Championship]] match against [[Club Necaxa|Necaxa]]. It was suggested in the press that his wife was a bad influence on him, and that it might be in United's interests to sell him,<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd's flawed genius? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/593905.stm |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2000 |access-date=6 October 2005 |archive-date=18 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418191808/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/593905.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but his manager publicly backed him, and he stayed at the club.

During the 1999–2000 season, there was a talk of a transfer to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in Italy, but this never happened. Beckham helped United retain the Premier League title in [[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]] by an 18-point margin, after being pushed by Arsenal and Leeds United for much of the season. United won their final 11 league games of the season, with Beckham scoring five goals during this run, with his last goal coming from a swerving shot from the edge of the penalty area in their final home game against Tottenham Hotspur.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/738587.stm|title=Man Utd celebrate in style|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=17 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040317065333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/738587.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2000–2001: Troubled relationship with Ferguson====
By the early-2000s, the relationship between Ferguson and Beckham had begun to deteriorate, possibly as a result of Beckham's fame and commitments away from football. In 2000, Beckham was given permission to miss training to look after his son Brooklyn, who had [[gastroenteritis]], but Ferguson was furious when [[Victoria Beckham]] was photographed at a London Fashion Week event on the same night, claiming that Beckham would have been able to train if Victoria had looked after Brooklyn that day. He responded by fining Beckham the maximum amount that was permitted (two weeks' wages – then £50,000) and dropping him for a crucial match against United's rivals Leeds United. He later criticised Beckham for this in his autobiography, claiming he had not been "fair to his teammates"<ref>''The Boss'' 469.</ref> Beckham had a good season for his club, though, and helped United to win the Premier League by a record margin.

{{blockquote|
He was never a problem until he got married. He used to go into work with the academy coaches at night time, he was a fantastic young lad. Getting married into that entertainment scene was a difficult thing – from that moment, his life was never going to be the same. He is such a big celebrity, football is only a small part. – Alex Ferguson speaking about Beckham's marriage in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ferguson-will-never-talk-to-the-bbc-again-401487.html|title=Ferguson will never talk to the BBC again|last=Harris|first=Nick|date=6 September 2007|work=The Independent|location=UK|access-date=30 April 2009|archive-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528191835/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ferguson-will-never-talk-to-the-bbc-again-401487.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

He was a key player in United's third successive league title in [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01]], only the fourth time that any club had achieved three league titles in a row. He scored nine Premier League goals, and had the [[2000–01 FA Premier League#Top assists|most assists in the league]] with 12.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist |title=Statistical Leaders – 2001 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624144700/https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist |archive-date=24 June 2017}}</ref>

====2001–2002: Contract extension====
On 10 April 2002, Beckham was injured during a Champions League match against [[Deportivo de La Coruña]], breaking the second [[Metatarsus|metatarsal]] bone in his left foot.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/04/10/manutd_depor/ |title=Man Utd beats Deportivo 3–2 to make semifinals |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023152955/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/04/10/manutd_depor/ |archivedate=23 October 2012 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=10 April 2002 }}</ref> There was speculation in the British media that the injury might have been caused deliberately, as the player who had injured Beckham was Argentine [[Aldo Duscher]], and [[England national football team|England]] and [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] were due to meet in that year's World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Did 'hatchet man' target Beckham? |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=2 April 2002 |url=http://www.soccernet.com/championsleague/news/2002/0402/20020411featwright.html |access-date=7 October 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716052613/http://www.soccernet.com/championsleague/news/2002/0402/20020411featwright.html |archive-date=16 July 2006}}</ref> The injury prevented Beckham from playing for United for the rest of the season and they missed out on the Premier League title to Arsenal (also being knocked out of the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] by [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]]), but he signed a three-year contract in May, following months of negotiations with the club, mostly concerning extra payments for his image rights. The income from his new contract, and his many endorsement deals, made him the highest-paid player in the world at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham signs new contract |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/england/newsid_1976000/1976699.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2002 |access-date=7 October 2005 |archive-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719030325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/england/newsid_1976000/1976699.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the season being curtailed with injury, 2001–02 was one of Beckham's best seasons as a United player; he scored 16 goals in all competitions, the best of his career.<ref name="PL stats"/>

====2002–2003: Boot incident and United exit====
Following an injury early in the [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03 season]], Beckham was unable to regain his place on the Manchester United team, with [[Ole Gunnar Solskjær]] having replaced him on the right side of midfield. His relationship with his manager deteriorated further on 15 February 2003 when, in the changing room following an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, a furious Alex Ferguson threw or kicked a [[Football boot|boot]] that struck Beckham over the eye, causing a cut that required stitches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2778985.stm|title=Man Utd play down Arsenal rift|date=19 February 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=27 August 2009|archive-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029001621/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2778985.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/04/28/1234261/silvestre-reminisces-about-fergusons-infamous-boot-throwing-at-be |title=Silvestre Reminisces About Ferguson's Infamous Boot-Throwing at Beckham Incident |publisher=Goal.com |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=2 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002172417/http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/04/28/1234261/silvestre-reminisces-about-fergusons-infamous-boot-throwing-at-be |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?Revealed:_What_happened_when_Beckham_was_hit_by_a_boot_in_the_face&in_article_id=638192&in_page_id=43 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903220624/http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?Revealed:_What_happened_when_Beckham_was_hit_by_a_boot_in_the_face&in_article_id=638192&in_page_id=43 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2012 |title=Revealed: What happened when Beckham was hit by a boot in the face |work=Metro |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=10 June 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bodinger |first=Katie |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/29/why-ryan-giggs-is-more-scared-of-his-mum-than-fergie-91466-21423456/ |title=Why Ryan Giggs is more scared of his mum than Fergie |work=WalesOnline |access-date=10 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013212846/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/29/why-ryan-giggs-is-more-scared-of-his-mum-than-fergie-91466-21423456/ |archive-date=13 October 2012 |date=28 July 2008 }}</ref> The incident led to a great deal of transfer speculation involving Beckham, with [[bookmaker]]s offering odds on whether he or Ferguson would be first to leave the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Will Becks give Man Utd the boot? |work=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2775269.stm |access-date=6 October 2005 |first=Stuart |last=Roach |archive-date=31 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531050325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2775269.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the team had started the season badly, their results improved greatly from December onwards and they won the league, with Beckham managing a total of eleven goals. He was still a first-choice player for England, however, and in the [[Queen's Birthday Honours List]] he was appointed an [[Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|OBE]] for services to football on 13 June 2003.<ref name="OBE" />

Beckham had made 265 Premier league appearances for United and scored 62 goals.<ref name="PL stats">{{cite news |title=David Beckham profile |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/331/David-Beckham/overview |access-date=14 October 2020 |publisher=Premier League |archive-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415212720/https://www.premierleague.com/players/331/David-Beckham/overview |url-status=live }}</ref> He also made 81 Champions league appearances, scoring 15 goals. Beckham won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two FA Charity Shields, one [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]], one Intercontinental Cup and one FA Youth Cup in the space of twelve years.<ref name="United profile"/> By this stage, he was their joint second longest serving player behind [[Ryan Giggs]] (having joined them at the same time as [[Nicky Butt]], [[Gary Neville]] and [[Paul Scholes]]).

===Real Madrid===
====2003–2004: Becoming a ''Galáctico''====
{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="He is a great player who is going to become part of the club's great history. He is a man of our times and a symbol of modern-day stardom and what is certain is [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] have signed Beckham because he's a great footballer and a very dedicated professional. His team spirit is unsurpassed and he is one of the best English players of all-time and if only because of that he is with us."|source=—Real Madrid President [[Florentino Pérez]] during Beckham's unveiling.<ref name="Real unveil Beckham">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3037824.stm|title=Real unveil Beckham|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=9 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209175056/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3037824.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
As the summer 2003 transfer window approached, Manchester United appeared keen to sell Beckham to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham to stay in Spain |work=The Guardian |date=11 June 2003 |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,974864,00.html |access-date=24 May 2006 |location=London |first=Daniel |last=Taylor |archive-date=3 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103212615/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,974864,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the two clubs even announced that they reached a deal for Beckham's transfer,<ref>{{cite news|title=Barcelona's bid for Man Utd star begs questions |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/gabriele_marcotti/news/2003/06/12/marcotti_insider/ |publisher=CNNSI.com |date=12 June 2003 |access-date=3 March 2011 |first=Gabriele |last=Marcotti |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040709085103/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/gabriele_marcotti/news/2003/06/12/marcotti_insider |archive-date=9 July 2004 }}</ref> but instead he joined reigning Spanish champions [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] for {{Euro|37 million}} on a four-year contract.<ref>Equivalent to, at the time, £25&nbsp;million or US$41&nbsp;million.</ref> Beckham was the latest signing in the ''[[Galácticos]]'' era of global stars signed by club president [[Florentino Pérez]] every summer.<ref>{{cite web |title=2001&nbsp;– present&nbsp;– Real Madrid surpasses the century mark |work=Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo |publisher=Real Madrid CF |access-date=5 November 2015 |archive-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122115453/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo |url-status=live }}</ref> The news came as a bitter blow to the newly elected Barcelona president [[Joan Laporta]], who based much of his presidential campaign on signing Beckham.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham joins Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/2998868.stm |access-date=25 July 2010 |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725060554/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/2998868.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The transfer to Real Madrid was announced in mid-June and formally completed on 1 July 2003, making Beckham the third Englishman to play for the club, after [[Laurie Cunningham]] and [[Steve McManaman]], the latter of whom he succeeded in his position. Following a successful medical on 2 July, Beckham was unveiled in front of 500 accredited journalists from 25 countries at the club's basketball facility, where he was handed the famous white shirt by former Real Madrid player [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Real unveil Beckham |work=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3037824.stm |access-date=25 July 2010 |archive-date=2 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002170633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3037824.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Beckham had worn the number seven shirt for Manchester United and England, he was unable to wear it at Madrid as it was assigned to club captain [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]]. Beckham decided to wear number 23 instead, citing his admiration of basketball player [[Michael Jordan]], who also wore number 23.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/netnotes/article/0,,990894,00.html |title=The number 23 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=3 June 2003 |access-date=9 June 2007 |first=Sally |last=Bolton |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108152949/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jul/03/netnotes.sallybolton |url-status=live }}</ref> On sales of Beckham-related merchandise following his arrival at Real, an Adidas spokesman stated: "Put Beckham's name on any product and Real Madrid didn't stop selling".<ref name="Mania"/>

[[File:Beckham zidane.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Beckham (top) and [[Zinedine Zidane]] at Real Madrid in 2003]]
In the week before Beckham's presentation, Real named [[Carlos Queiroz]] as their new head coach; Queiroz had spent the previous season as Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United. In late-July 2003, the club went on a tour of the [[Far East]] as part of pre-season training, but also to cash in on Beckham's huge marketing appeal in Asia, where he enjoyed tremendous following. Comparing his reception upon arriving at [[Kunming Changshui International Airport|Kunming Airport]] in south China to [[Beatlemania]], ''Marca'' ran the headline, "Beckham-mania in China".<ref name="Mania"/> After the opening game in Beijing the tour featured games in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok. Real's brand recognition in that part of the globe was already well established as the club made financially successful trips to Asia during previous off-seasons. The presence of a global marketing icon such as Beckham, however, made this particular tour a financial smash for ''los Merengues''.<ref name="Mania">{{cite news |title=Beckham-mania in China on Real Madrid's 2003 Asia tour |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2019/07/17/5d2ee2d046163f6e7f8b45ba.html |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=Marca |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003111927/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2019/07/17/5d2ee2d046163f6e7f8b45ba.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shortly after his transfer to Real, Beckham ended his relationship with agent Tony Stephens of [[Live Nation Entertainment|SFX Europe]], who had guided him through his career until that point, including helping to engineer Beckham's move from Manchester to Madrid. Beckham signed on with [[Simon Fuller]] and his company [[19 Entertainment]], which already managed the career of Victoria.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.77</ref> Beckham appointed close friend [[Terry Byrne]] to be his personal manager.<ref name="galaxy-millions"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3229703.stm |title=Beckham bags Watford man |work=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2003 |access-date=13 August 2010 |archive-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202093253/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3229703.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="We knew before he was a good player, but we did not expect him to be such an influential player, to show such commitment to the team spirit. The way he runs for everything, the way he tries his best. He has everyone's respect."|source=—[[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] speaking about Beckham in October 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2423493/Beckham-has-won-everyones-respect.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2423493/Beckham-has-won-everyones-respect.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='Beckham has won everyone's respect'|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=6 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}
In late-August 2003, Real Madrid won the [[2003 Supercopa de España|Spanish Super Cup]] over two legs versus [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]], with Beckham scoring the final goal in a 3–0 return leg win at home, thus setting the stage for the start of the league season. Playing in a star-laden team which included three former [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] recipients, [[Zinedine Zidane]], [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Luís Figo]], in addition to [[Roberto Carlos]], [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]] and [[Iker Casillas]], Beckham did not require much time to settle in, scoring five times in his first 16 matches (including a goal less than three minutes into his La Liga debut). Queiroz mostly favoured the adaptable 5–3–2 formation, with two fullbacks [[Míchel Salgado]] and Roberto Carlos, often joining the attack down the wings, while Beckham played on the right of the three-man midfield, alongside Zidane and Figo.<ref name="2003–04 Real Madrid">{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2003-042.html |title=2003–04 Real Madrid |publisher=Bdfutbol.com |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=17 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017100107/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2003-042.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Real Madrid were runners-up in the [[2003–04 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]], were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage and finished the league season in fourth place, meaning the team, whose president Pérez expected them to win either the Spanish league or the Champions League each season, did not match expectations. In July 2004, while Beckham was in pre-season training in Spain, an intruder scaled a wall at the Beckham home while carrying a can of [[gasoline|petrol]]. Victoria and their children were home at the time, but security guards apprehended the man before he reached the house.<ref>{{cite web |title=Intruder alert for Victoria Beckham |publisher=Manchester Online |date=20 July 2004 |url=http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/124/124434_intruder_alert_for_victoria_beckham.html |access-date=9 October 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222010135/http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/124/124434_intruder_alert_for_victoria_beckham.html |archive-date=22 February 2006}}</ref>

====2004–2005: Managerial changes====
The league season began with new head coach [[José Antonio Camacho]] at the helm, but he ended up lasting only three matches, handing in his resignation as Real dropped to eighth spot in the La Liga standings. Camacho's assistant [[Mariano García Remón]] took over on temporary basis as Real's leadership scrambled to find a permanent replacement. Beckham made more headlines on 9 October 2004 when he admitted intentionally fouling [[Ben Thatcher]] in an England match against [[Wales national football team|Wales]] to get himself booked. Beckham was due to receive a one-match suspension for his next [[Yellow card (sports)|caution]], and had picked up an injury which he knew would keep him out of England's next match, so he deliberately fouled Thatcher to serve his suspension in a match that he would have had to miss anyway. [[The Football Association]] asked Beckham for an explanation of his actions and he admitted that he had "made a mistake" and apologised.<ref>{{cite news |title=FA wants explanation from Beckham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3735276.stm |access-date=6 October 2005 |date=14 October 2004 |archive-date=31 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531043924/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3735276.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was sent off shortly afterwards, this time in a league match for Real Madrid against [[Valencia CF|Valencia]]. Having received a yellow card, he was judged to have sarcastically applauded the referee and was given a second yellow card, causing an automatic dismissal, although the suspension was cancelled on appeal.

By Christmas 2004, with the team sitting in second position in the league, García Remón was dismissed, and [[Vanderlei Luxemburgo]] became the new head coach. However, the well-travelled Brazilian failed to inspire the team to the title as Real again finished the season in second position. On 3 December 2005, Beckham was sent off for the third time that season in a league match against [[Getafe CF|Getafe]]. A day later Luxemburgo was sacked and was replaced by [[Juan Ramón López Caro]]. By the end of that season, Beckham was third in La Liga in number of assists.<ref>{{cite news |title=2005–2006 La Liga Stats |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/12/196/2005-2006-La-Liga-Stats |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=FBRef |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010092135/https://fbref.com/en/comps/12/196/2005-2006-La-Liga-Stats |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2005–2006: Outpaced by Barcelona====
[[File:Beckham warmingup.jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham warming up with Real Madrid in 2006]]
During the season, Beckham established football academies in Los Angeles and east London and was named a judge for the 2006 British Book Awards.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maul|first=Kimberly|title=David Beckham: Soccer Star and Book Judge|url=http://www.thebookstandard.com/bookstandard/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001842661|publisher=The Book Standard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212115110/http://www.thebookstandard.com/bookstandard/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001842661|archive-date=12 December 2007|date=11 January 2006}}</ref> Real Madrid finished second to Barcelona in the 2005–06 La Liga, albeit with a large twelve-point gap, and only reached the last 16 in the Champions League after losing to Arsenal. Pérez resigned his post as president in January 2006, with [[Vicente Boluda]] named as replacement on an interim basis until the end of the season.

====2006–2007: Real Madrid exit====
The summer 2006 off-season marked a turbulent time as the club's presidential elections were held. [[Ramón Calderón]] became the new Real president. As expected, none of the club officials who served under the previous president was kept, including head coach López Caro. Initially out of favour with newly arrived head coach [[Fabio Capello]], Beckham started only a few games at the beginning of the season, as the speedier [[José Antonio Reyes]] was normally preferred on the right wing. Of the first nine matches Beckham started, Real lost seven. On 10 January 2007, after prolonged contractual negotiations, Real Madrid's sporting director [[Predrag Mijatović]] announced that Beckham would not remain at Real Madrid after the end of the season. However, he later claimed that he was mistranslated and that he actually said that Beckham's contract had not yet been renewed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/10/sports/web.0110beckham.php |title=Uncertainty over Beckham's future at Real Madrid |work=International Herald Tribune |date=10 January 2007 |access-date=10 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220071830/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/10/sports/web.0110beckham.php |archive-date=20 February 2008 }}</ref>

On 11 January 2007, Beckham announced that he had signed a five-year deal to play for the [[LA Galaxy]], beginning 1 July 2007. On 13 January 2007, Fabio Capello said that Beckham had played his last game for Real Madrid, although he continued to train with the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6259063.stm|title=Real coach calls time on Beckham|work=BBC Sport|date=13 January 2007|access-date=13 January 2007|archive-date=5 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605205706/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6259063.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> A few days later, while speaking to the students at [[Villanueva University|Villanueva University Center]] in Madrid, Calderón said that Beckham is "going to Hollywood to be half a film star", adding "our technical staff were right not to extend his contract, which has been proved by the fact that no other technical staff in the world wanted him except Los Angeles".<ref>{{Cite news |first=Jack |last=Bell |title=Real Madrid Club President Says a Mouthful |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/sports/soccer/17soccer.html |work=The New York Times |date=17 February 2007 |access-date=2 August 2010 |archive-date=10 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210214834/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/sports/soccer/17soccer.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

About a month later, however, Capello backtracked on his earlier statement, allowing Beckham to rejoin the team for the match against [[Real Sociedad]] on 10 February 2007. The player immediately repaid his head coach's trust by scoring the equalising goal from a {{convert|27|yd|adj=on}} free kick, as Real Madrid eventually recorded a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6346573.stm|title=Beckham scores on Madrid return|work=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2007|access-date=10 February 2007|archive-date=8 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208182242/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6346573.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In his final UEFA Champions League appearance for the club, Real Madrid were knocked out of the competition by Bayern Munich at the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League knockout stage|round-of-16 stage]] (on the away goals rule) on 7 March 2007. Beckham played a pivotal role in all three Madrid goals in the home game, with Bayern goalkeeper [[Oliver Kahn]] describing his performance as "world class".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/21/match.realmadrid|title=Beckham shines to give Real a slight advantage|first=Simon|last=Talbot|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=12 September 2014|date=21 February 2007|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002170034/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/21/match.realmadrid|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Beckham 2 (2114756146).jpg|thumb|left|Beckham during his last season with Real Madrid]]
On 17 June 2007, the last day of the La Liga season, Beckham started in his final match for the club, a 3–1 win over Mallorca which saw them clinch the title from Barcelona.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-06-17 |title=Beckham bows out with Liga title |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm |access-date=2024-05-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> With Real down 0–1, Beckham limped off the field and was replaced by José Antonio Reyes, who scored two goals, leading the team to that season's [[2006–07 La Liga|La Liga title]], their first since Beckham had signed with them and [[Real Madrid CF#Domestic competitions|30th overall in the club's history]]. Although Real and Barçelona both finished level on points, Madrid took the title because of their superior head-to-head record, capping a remarkable six-month turnaround for Beckham.<ref name="Liga"/> With his wife and children, along with celebrity friends [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Katie Holmes]], watching from a luxury box at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium|Santiago Bernabéu]], it was only Beckham's second piece of silverware since he joined the famous club.<ref name="Liga">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm|title=Beckham bows out with Liga title|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=17 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217013123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Towards the end of the season, as Beckham was getting back into Capello's good books after successfully fighting his way back into the first team, Real Madrid announced they would try to untie his transfer to LA Galaxy, but were ultimately unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Millward|first=Robert|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/10/AR2007061000751.html|title=Agent: Beckham Sticking to Galaxy Deal|date=10 June 2007|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=14 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121210081030/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/10/AR2007061000751.html|archive-date=10 December 2012}}</ref> Several weeks before Beckham's scheduled arrival in the United States, Real's management contacted LA Galaxy's ownership group about reacquiring the player, but were quickly turned down.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.36</ref> A month after the conclusion of Beckham's Real career, ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine reported that he had been the party primarily responsible for the team's huge increase in merchandise sales, a total reported to top {{USD|600 million}} during Beckham's four years at the club.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Maidment |title=Becks And Bucks |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/sports/2007/07/07/beckham-soccer-marketing-face-markets-cx_pm_0707autofacescan01.html |work=Forbes |date=7 July 2007 |access-date=14 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101184121/http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/sports/2007/07/07/beckham-soccer-marketing-face-markets-cx_pm_0707autofacescan01.html|archive-date=1 November 2008 }}</ref>

===LA Galaxy===
====2007: First season in MLS====
{{quote box|quote="I'm coming there not to be a superstar. I'm coming there to be part of the team, to work hard and to hopefully win things. With me, it's about football. I'm coming there to make a difference. I'm coming there to play football&nbsp;... I'm not saying me coming over to the States is going to make soccer the biggest sport in America. That would be difficult to achieve. Baseball, basketball, American football, they've been around. But I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think I could make a difference."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=2728604 |title=Beckham set to invade America |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=12 January 2007 |access-date=16 January 2007 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511124308/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=2728604 |url-status=live }}</ref>|source=Beckham on going to America|width=25%|align=right}}

Beckham's involvement with [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) began while he was still a Real Madrid player when it was confirmed on 11 January 2007 that he would be leaving Madrid in six months to join MLS side [[LA Galaxy]]. The speculation about his new contract in Madrid was thus put to an end and the following day Beckham's official press conference was held in conjunction with the [[2007 MLS SuperDraft]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Halpin |first=Jason |title=Events surround MLS SuperDraft |url=http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070110&content_id=81545&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp|publisher=MLSnet.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527211351/http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070110&content_id=81545&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp |archive-date=27 May 2008 |date=1 October 2007}}</ref>

The announcement made global headlines and elevated the league's profile. Though many worldwide media outlets reported the deal to be worth {{USD|250&nbsp;million}},<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/01/11/beckham.mls/ |title=Beckham will play for MLS' L.A. Galaxy in $250M deal |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=11 January 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725000850/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/01/11/beckham.mls/ |archivedate=25 July 2013 }}</ref> the astronomical figure was soon revealed to be a PR stunt engineered by Beckham's media handlers (British representative agency [[19 Entertainment]]).<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.43</ref> To maximise the media effect, in the press release they decided to list the potential sum that Beckham could make over the five-year period from all his revenue sources, which in addition to his Galaxy pay, also include his personal endorsements. Beckham's actual deal with the Galaxy was a five-year contract worth {{USD|32.5&nbsp;million}} in total or {{USD|6.5&nbsp;million}} per year.<ref name="galaxy-millions">{{Cite news |title=Beckham rejected Milan and Inter to take Galaxy millions |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/beckham-rejected-milan-and-inter-to-take-galaxy-millions-431736.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205163746/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/beckham-rejected-milan-and-inter-to-take-galaxy-millions-431736.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 December 2008 |work=The Independent |date=12 January 2007 |access-date=9 September 2008 |location=London |first=Sam |last=Wallace }}</ref><ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.42</ref>

The high-profile acquisition paid immediate financial dividends for Galaxy long before Beckham joined the team. On the strength of the signing and the media frenzy it created, the club was able to pull off a new five-year shirt sponsorship deal with the [[Herbalife]] nutrition company worth {{USD|20&nbsp;million}}. The gate revenue peaked as well with 11,000 new season tickets holders and sold-out luxury suites (each one of the 42 inside the team's home stadium, the [[Dignity Health Sports Park|Home Depot Center]]).<ref name="The Beckham Experiment p.44">''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.44</ref> LA Galaxy owners [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] (AEG) also reported an immediate spike in business. Involved on many business fronts worldwide, AEG was already leveraging its Beckham association in places such as [[Shanghai]] and [[Beijing]], where the company had been working aggressively for years to receive clearance to build arenas and stadiums. The company's CEO [[Tim Leiweke]] put it as follows: "Suddenly, we're known as the company that owns the team that David Beckham is going to play for, so our world changed".<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.45</ref>

In the months following the announcement, the additional terms of Beckham's contract became public knowledge. One unique contract provision was giving him the option of buying an [[Expansion of Major League Soccer|MLS expansion]] franchise in any market except New York City at the fixed price of {{USD|25&nbsp;million}} whenever he stopped playing in the league<ref name="Kennedy">{{cite news|url=http://www.socceramerica.com/article/51723/beckham-is-mls-expansion-story-du-jour.html|title=Beckham is MLS expansion story du jour|first=Paul|last=Kennedy|date=20 May 2013|work=Soccer Business Insider|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629142415/https://www.socceramerica.com/article/51723/beckham-is-mls-expansion-story-du-jour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> – an allowance that the league's owners had never given to a player before. Another provision was the opt-out clause after the 2009 season, meaning that should he decide so, Beckham was free to leave the club after completing year three of his five-year contract.<ref name="The Beckham Experiment p.44"/> The league had a [[salary cap]] in place, requiring the creation of the [[Designated Player Rule]] for Beckham to bypass the cap; the rule was later nicknamed in his honor. In April 2007, he and wife Victoria bought a {{USD|18.2&nbsp;million}} home on San Ysidro Drive in [[Beverly Hills]].<ref name="The Beckham Experiment p.66">''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.66</ref>

[[File:David Beckham Nov 11 2007.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Beckham (with a blue captain's armband) became LA Galaxy captain immediately upon joining the team.]]
Beckham's contract with LA Galaxy took effect on 11 July, and on 13 July, he was officially unveiled as a Galaxy player at the Home Depot Center, to much fanfare and world media interest, in front of more than 5,000 gathered fans and some 700 accredited media members.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.16</ref> Beckham chose to wear number 23. It was announced that Galaxy jersey sales had already reached a record figure of over 250,000 prior to this formal introduction.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nysun.com/national/soccer-player-beckham-sparks-13m-in-sales/52872/|title=Soccer Player Beckham Sparks $13M in Sales for Galaxy|newspaper=New York Sun|access-date=17 August 2019|date=20 April 2007|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817162232/https://www.nysun.com/national/soccer-player-beckham-sparks-13m-in-sales/52872/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In parallel, Beckham's handlers at 19 Entertainment succeeded in putting together an unprecedented US media rollout designed to expand his carefully crafted personal brand in America. He made the cover of ''Sports Illustrated'', a few weeks earlier [[Adidas]] launched the extensive 13-part ad campaign "Fútbol meets Football" starring Beckham and [[National Football League|NFL]] running back [[Reggie Bush]], and ''W'' magazine published a racy photo spread featuring David and wife Victoria photographed by [[Steven Klein (photographer)|Steven Klein]]. Meanwhile, [[ESPN]] sports network was running a promotional campaign and agreed to air the ''David Beckham: New Beginnings'' documentary produced by 19 Entertainment before the friendly match versus [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], which was expected to be Beckham's American debut. In addition to popularising soccer, Beckham's arrival was used as platform for entertainment industry endeavours. Since both Beckham's and his wife's often overlapping careers were handled by 19 Entertainment, which is owned by [[Simon Fuller]], who in turn has a business relationship with the [[Creative Artists Agency]] (CAA), one of Hollywood's most powerful talent agencies, it was important for CAA that the Beckhams made as big an impact as possible upon their arrival in the US. On 16 July, CAA had hosted a welcoming bash for David at its new eight-storey, {{USD|400&nbsp;million}} headquarters in [[Century City]], with CAA employees reportedly instructed beforehand to line the staircase and clap for Beckham upon his arrival.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, p.67</ref> That night Victoria's reality show prime-time special ''[[Victoria Beckham: Coming to America]]'' aired on NBC, drawing negative reviews in the press and poor viewership ratings.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, pp.69–70</ref>

[[File:David Beckham Nov 11 2007 Direction.jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham during an LA Galaxy game in 2007]]
On Saturday afternoon, 21 July, despite still nursing the injured left ankle that he picked up a month earlier during the final match of La Liga's season, Beckham made his Galaxy debut, coming on for [[Alan Gordon (soccer)|Alan Gordon]] in the 78th minute of a 0–1 friendly loss to Chelsea as part of the [[World Series of Soccer (MLS)|World Series of Soccer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2007_07_jul/20070705_DavidBeckham.htm|title=David Beckham's First Match in Major League Soccer Live on ESPN Saturday, 21&nbsp;July|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=5 July 2007|access-date=14 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224213616/http://espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2007_07_jul/20070705_DavidBeckham.htm|archive-date=24 December 2008}}</ref> With a capacity crowd, along with a long Hollywood celebrity list featuring Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, [[Eva Longoria]], [[Governor of California]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and [[Drew Carey]] among others, present at the Home Depot Center, the match was broadcast live on ESPN's main network. However, the proceedings on the field of play took a back seat to the Beckham spectacle, and despite the presence of worldwide football stars such as [[Andriy Shevchenko]], [[Didier Drogba]], [[Michael Ballack]] and [[Frank Lampard]], the US television cameras were firmly focused on Beckham, who spent most of the match on the bench. The match's added time featured a scare for already injured Beckham when he got tackled by [[Steve Sidwell]], whose cleats struck Beckham's right foot, sending him airborne before he crumpled hard to the ground. Though the existing injury was not aggravated too much, Beckham's recovery process was set back by about a week. ESPN's presentation of Beckham's debut earned a 1.0 TV rating, meaning it was seen in an average of 947,000 television homes in the US – a disappointing figure given the national media buzz and two weeks of constant promotion by ESPN.<ref name="The Beckham Experiment p.66"/> As far as sporting events that were televised that weekend in the United States, Beckham's much publicised debut drew fewer TV viewers than the [[2007 Open Championship|British Open]] golf tournament, a regular-season [[Major League Baseball]] game, and even the [[2007 IndyCar Series season|Indy Racing League]]'s [[2007 Honda 200|Honda 200]] motor race.<ref name="The Beckham Experiment p.66"/>

The day after the made-for-TV debut was reserved for the welcoming party for the Beckhams at LA's [[Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles|Museum of Contemporary Art]], formally billed as being hosted by Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, [[Will Smith]] and [[Jada Pinkett Smith]], though in actuality a CAA-organized event. Attended by many Hollywood [[A-list]]ers, the lavish event was well-covered in the US celebrity tabloid media, including daily entertainment TV magazines such as ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' and ''[[Access Hollywood]]''.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, Pp.68–70</ref>

Beckham missed the next four LA Galaxy matches – three in the [[North American SuperLiga]] and an MLS game away at [[Toronto FC]] - though he still made the trip with his teammates, sitting on the bench in street clothes. It was in Toronto on 5 August that the team got its first taste of what life would be like on the road with Beckham on the roster. Due to security concerns, it was the first time the team flew on a charter for a road match, rather than flying commercial; MLS normally forbids charter flights for away matches, claiming they provide competitive advantage, but in this case they made an exception due to the frenzy created around Beckham and resulting security issues. Instead of the usual MLS-mandated modest hotels, LA Galaxy stayed at the five-star [[King Edward Hotel (Toronto)|Le Méridien King Edward]] in [[downtown Toronto]] (an expense paid for by the local [[Toronto]] promoter), while the glitz and glamour continued with the velvet rope, red carpet party at the Ultra Supper Club with Beckham as the centerpiece guest.<ref>''The Beckham Experiment'', Grant Wahl, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2010 paperback edition, Pp.85–87</ref>

[[File:Beckham LA Galaxy cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Beckham playing for LA Galaxy in 2008]]
Two weeks after his twelve-minute appearance against Chelsea, Beckham made his league debut as a substitute on 9 August away versus [[D.C. United]] in front of the sellout crowd of 46,686 (nearly three times the average D.C. United home crowd) at the [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], coming on for [[Quavas Kirk]] in the 71st minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2007-08-09-beckham-debut_N.htm |title=Beckham makes MLS debut but Galaxy stumbles in D.C. |work=USA Today |access-date=15 August 2007 |first=Beau |last=Dure |date=12 August 2007 |archive-date=20 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120210622/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2007-08-09-beckham-debut_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Coming into the nationally televised match on ESPN, played under a heavy downpour with his team down a man and down a goal, Beckham left a mark during the remaining 20-plus minutes. He hit a long free kick that [[Carlos Pavón]] failed to finish on for the equaliser, and then in the final minutes Beckham served a weighted through ball into [[Landon Donovan]]'s path that United's keeper [[Troy Perkins]] managed to break up in the last moment – the Galaxy lost 1–0. The next match on the road trip was at [[New England Revolution]] and Beckham decided to sit it out, fearing further aggravating his ankle injury on the [[Gillette Stadium]]'s artificial surface.

Beckham returned to the pitch the following week, again facing D.C. United, in the [[North American SuperLiga|SuperLiga]] semi-final on 15 August. During this game, he had many firsts with the Galaxy; his first start, first yellow card and first game as team captain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=453684&root=mls&cc=5901|title=Beckham takes captain's armband to great effect|website=ESPN Soccernet|date=16 August 2007|access-date=17 August 2007|archive-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510203732/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=453684&root=mls&cc=5901|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the team, from a free kick, and also made his first assist, for Landon Donovan in the second half. These goals gave the team a 2–0 victory, and a place in the [[2007 North American SuperLiga|North American SuperLiga]] final versus [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]] on 29 August.

During the SuperLiga final against Pachuca, Beckham injured his right knee, with an [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] scan revealing that he had sprained his [[medial collateral ligament]] and would be out for six weeks. He returned to play in the final home match of the season. The Galaxy were eliminated from playoff contention on 21 October, in the final MLS match of the season, a 1–0 loss to the [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]]. Beckham played as a substitute in the match, bringing his season totals to eight matches played (5 league); one goal scored (0 league); and three assists (2 league).

====2008====
Beckham trained with Arsenal from 4 January 2008 for three weeks, until he returned to the Galaxy for pre-season training.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7171836.stm |title=Beckham begins Arsenal training |work=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2008 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=7 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107135350/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7171836.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham scored his first league goal with the Galaxy on 3 April, against the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] in the ninth minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=237757&cc=5901 |title=Beckham, Donovan propel L.A. past Quakes |website=ESPN Soccernet|date=4 April 2008 |access-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408050045/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=237757&cc=5901 |archive-date=8 April 2008 }}</ref> On 24 May 2008, the Galaxy defeated the [[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]] 3–1, giving the Galaxy their first winning record in two years and moving the club into first place in the Western Conference. In the match, Beckham scored an empty-net goal from {{convert|70|yd}} out. The goal marked the second time in Beckham's career that he had scored from his own half, the other being a 1996-goal from the half-way line against [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] at [[Selhurst Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=538785&root=mls&cc=5901 |title=ESPNsoccernet – MLS – Canales: Beckham shows scoring touch against Wizards |website=ESPN Soccernet |first=Andrea |last=Canales |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=17 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317004415/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=538785&root=mls&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Overall, however, the Galaxy had a disappointing year, failing to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.

====2009: Loan to AC Milan====
[[File:David Beckham at Al Saad (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham playing for [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] in 2009]]
In 2008, Beckham's success in the England national team under [[Fabio Capello]] led to speculation that he might return to Europe to retain match fitness for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification|World Cup qualifying matches]] in 2009. On 30 October 2008, [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] announced that Beckham was to join them on [[loan (sports)|loan]] from 7 January 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham to join Milan in January |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7697377.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2008 |access-date=30 October 2008 |archive-date=23 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223074841/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7697377.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this and other speculation, Beckham made it clear that the move in no way signalled his intent to leave MLS and announced his intent to return to the Galaxy in time for the start of the [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009 season]] in March.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Beckham Milan Update |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/shows/t106/102408_lag_beckham_int2.wmv&w_id=27284&catCode=shows&type=v_free&_mp=1 |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=25 October 2008 |access-date=25 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028032340/http://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A%2F%2Fa1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net%2F7%2F1503%2F11504%2Fv0001%2Fmlbmls.download.akamai.com%2F11504%2F2008%2Fshows%2Ft106%2F102408_lag_beckham_int2.wmv&w_id=27284&catCode=shows&type=v_free&_mp=1 |archive-date=28 October 2008 }}</ref> Many at Milan both within and outside of the club expressed serious reservations about the transfer, with it considered by some players no more than a marketing move.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Beckham Conquered Milan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7887918.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2009 |access-date=10 March 2009 |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |archive-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130170936/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7887918.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham was unveiled at Milan's [[Milanello|training facility]] by the club's chief executive [[Adriano Galliani]] on 20 December 2008. The player chose the number 32 shirt previously worn by [[Christian Vieri]], as both the number 7 and 23 shirts were already used by [[Alexandre Pato]] and club vice captain [[Massimo Ambrosini]], respectively. The day after his unveiling, Beckham was brought to the [[San Siro]], where he was introduced to the home fans by walking out on the pitch before the league match versus [[Udinese Calcio|Udinese]] and proclaiming "Forza Milan" over the public address system.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3899667/David-Beckham-makes-San-Siro-entrance-with-Forza-Milan.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3899667/David-Beckham-makes-San-Siro-entrance-with-Forza-Milan.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=David Beckham officially unveiled in Milan |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 December 2008 |access-date=2 December 2012 |location=London |first=Richard |last=Bright}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Afterwards, he and wife Victoria watched from a luxury box as Milan won 5–1.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3WnTU88M40 |title=Intervista Sky Sport a Beckham all'intervallo di Milan-Udinese |publisher=Sky Sport 24 |date=21 December 2008 |access-date=2 December 2012 }}{{cbignore}} Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211130/x3WnTU88M40 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160515063318/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3WnTU88M40 Wayback Machine]</ref>

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=left|quote="On the pitch, Beckham sees everything before everyone else. His vision of play is better now than during his time in Manchester. He is slower but much stronger tactically and technically. He is very intelligent and works a lot."|source=—[[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] coach [[Carlo Ancelotti]] on Beckham's condition at 33 years old.<ref name="Milan never intended to play David Beckham">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/4932358/Milan-never-intended-to-play-David-Beckham.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/4932358/Milan-never-intended-to-play-David-Beckham.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Milan never intended to play David Beckham|date=3 March 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 September 2014|last1=Agencies|first1=Emily Benammar and}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}
Playing on the squad led by the 26-year-old superstar [[Kaká]], in addition to several other world-class players at or near the peak of their careers – such as 28-year-old [[Ronaldinho]] and 29-year-old [[Andrea Pirlo]] – as well as club veterans [[Paolo Maldini]], [[Clarence Seedorf]], Massimo Ambrosini, [[Giuseppe Favalli]], [[Gianluca Zambrotta]], [[Filippo Inzaghi]] and Andriy Shevchenko, Beckham made his competitive debut for the ''rossoneri'' in Serie A as a starter away at [[A.S. Roma|Roma]] on 11 January 2009, playing 89&nbsp;minutes of the 2–2 draw in front of 53,444 at the [[Stadio Olimpico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=251467&cc=5901&league=ITA.1 |title=AS Roma 2–2 AC Milan |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=11 January 2009 |access-date=29 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510203728/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=251467&cc=5901&league=ITA.1 |archive-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> Playing his first competitive match in almost three months, Beckham gave a decent performance in right midfield alongside Pirlo. Though lacking match fitness and occasionally struggling to keep up in a high-tempo match, Beckham put in enough useful crosses and corners to justify the coach [[Carlo Ancelotti]]'s decision to play him from the start.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/12/david-beckham-serie-a-milan-roma |title=Beckham proves a big draw but fails to make major impression on debut for Milan |work=The Guardian |date=12 January 2009 |access-date=2 December 2012 |location=London |first=Tom |last=Kington |archive-date=24 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524073547/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/12/david-beckham-serie-a-milan-roma |url-status=live }}</ref> In Beckham's home debut against [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] a week later, he turned in another understated performance on the right side of midfield before advancing into a more active central role in the second half, thus effectively taking over Seedorf's role after the Dutchman was subbed off. Milan won 1–0 courtesy of Pato, but the 65,000+ San Siro crowd mostly focused on Kaká, imploring him to stay.<ref name="Fans beg Kaka to stay">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/18/milan-kaka-manchester-city-fiorentina-berlusconi-ancelotti |title=Fans beg Kaka to stay but Pato is the hero in Milan victory |work=The Guardian |date=18 January 2009 |access-date=2 December 2012 |location=London |first=Tom |last=Kington |archive-date=24 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524071451/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/18/milan-kaka-manchester-city-fiorentina-berlusconi-ancelotti |url-status=live }}</ref>

A noticeably older team, the Ancelotti-coached Milan was proving a good fit for the 33-year-old Englishman. He scored his first goal in Serie A for Milan in a 4–1 victory over [[Bologna F.C. 1909|Bologna]] on 25 January, his third appearance for the club.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=612673&&cc=5901 |title=Beckham scores first goal for AC Milan |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=25 January 2009 |access-date=8 March 2009 |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510203701/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=612673&&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Though Beckham was expected to return to Los Angeles in March, after impressing at the Italian club, scoring two goals in his first four matches and assisting on several more, rumours began to swirl that Beckham would stay in Milan, with the Italian club reportedly offering to pay a multi-million-dollar fee. The rumours were confirmed on 4 February, when Beckham stated that he was seeking a permanent transfer to Milan, in a bid to sustain his England career through the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]]. Milan, however, failed to match Galaxy's valuation of Beckham, in the {{USD|10–15&nbsp;million}} range.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=616973&cc=5901 |title=Galaxy reject AC Milan's opening gambit for Becks |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=7 February 2009 |access-date=8 March 2009 |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510203704/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=616973&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Still, negotiations continued during a month of speculation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=619909&cc=5901 |title=Beckham's future to be resolved on Friday? |website=ESPN Soccernet|date=17 February 2009 |access-date=8 March 2009 |archive-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219201518/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=619909&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 2 March, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that Beckham's loan had been extended through mid-July.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |title=Beckham agrees to return to Galaxy in mid-July |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-beckham-milan-galaxy3-2009mar03,0,6510100.story |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2 March 2009 |access-date=8 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303222556/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-beckham-milan-galaxy3-2009mar03%2C0%2C6510100.story |archive-date=3 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was later confirmed by Beckham, revealing what was described as a unique "[[timeshare]]" deal, in which Beckham would play with LA from mid-July until the end of the 2009 MLS season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article5871341.ece |title=David Beckham 'dream' deal |work=[[The Times]] |date=9 March 2009 |access-date=9 March 2009 |location=London |first=Nick |last=Szczepanik |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510204231/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article5871341.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====2009: Return to Galaxy====
After his return from Milan, many LA fans showed dislike and anger towards him as he missed the first half of the season, and several held up signs saying "Go home fraud", and "Part-time player".<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham booed by furious fans |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8159287.stm |date=20 July 2009 |access-date=2 January 2010 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030222849/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8159287.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Galaxy, however, had [[2009 Los Angeles Galaxy season|a much more successful season]] than in previous years, rising from third to first in the Western Conference during Beckham's time with them. He remained a key part of the squad which saw Galaxy win the 2009 [[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference final]] after a 2–0 overtime victory over the [[Houston Dynamo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/sports/soccer/15galaxy.html|title=Two Blackouts and Two Goals Send Galaxy to M.L.S. Final|date=14 November 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=17 November 2009|archive-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513021232/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/sports/soccer/15galaxy.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the [[MLS Cup 2009|MLS Cup final]] on 22 November 2009, the Galaxy lost to [[Real Salt Lake]] by 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw. Beckham scored in the shootout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=702587&sec=global&cc=5739|title=Salt Lake beat L.A. Galaxy to MLS title|date=23 November 2009|website=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=23 November 2009|archive-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020043427/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=702587&sec=global&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2010: Second loan to Milan====
In November 2009, after the end of 2009 MLS season, it was confirmed that Beckham would return to Milan for a second loan period, beginning in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/02/david-beckham-milan-loan|title=David Beckham's loan move to Milan from LA Galaxy is confirmed|date=2 November 2009|work=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=1 May 2010|archive-date=13 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213181733/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/02/david-beckham-milan-loan|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 January 2010, Beckham made a winning return in a Milan shirt, playing 75&nbsp;minutes of a 5–2 victory over [[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8444755.stm|title=David Beckham makes winning return for AC Milan|work=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2010|access-date=6 January 2010|archive-date=30 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130171533/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8444755.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 February 2010, Beckham played against Manchester United for the first time since he left the club in 2003. He played 76&nbsp;minutes of the match at the San Siro – which ended 3–2 to Manchester United – before being substituted for Clarence Seedorf.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Lyon |title=AC Milan 2–3 Man Utd |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8515983.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=16 February 2010 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823064333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8515983.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham returned to Old Trafford for the second leg of the tie on 10 March 2010; he did not start the match, but was brought on for [[Ignazio Abate]] in the 64th minute to a positive reception from the Manchester United fans. The score was 3–0 for United at that point and the tie was all but decided. The match was the first time Beckham had played against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and saw him create several scoring opportunities via crosses and corner kicks, but Manchester United dominated Milan and beat them 4–0, winning the tie 7–2.<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Man Utd 4–0 AC Milan (agg 7–2) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8558023.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522153937/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8558023.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the final whistle, he aroused a bit of controversy by draping the green-and-gold scarf around his neck that was given to him by the Manchester United supporters protesting against club owner [[Malcolm Glazer]]. As the fan protests against Glazer by the people gathered around [[Manchester United Supporters' Trust]] gained steam in 2010, the green-and-gold scarf had come to be seen as an anti-Glazer symbol, and by extension many saw Beckham's decision to publicly put it on as gesture of support. When asked about it later, however, Beckham responded that protests are not his business.<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Beckham shows true colours |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2010/03/beckham_shows_true_colours.html |work=BBC Sport |date=11 March 2010 |access-date=13 March 2010 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503235920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2010/03/beckham_shows_true_colours.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Milan's next game, against [[A.C. Chievo Verona|Chievo]], Beckham suffered a [[Achilles tendon rupture|torn left Achilles tendon]],<ref>{{cite news |title=England's David Beckham is injured playing for AC Milan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8567353.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=14 March 2010 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=15 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315054000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8567353.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> causing him to miss the World Cup as well as the [[2010 Major League Soccer season|MLS season]] due to the injury, which took him out of action for the next five months. Doctor [[Sakari Orava]] performed surgery on Beckham's tendon in [[Turku]], Finland, on 15 March 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Milan/15-03-2010/beckham-stagione-finita-603312286519.shtml |title=Beckham, stagione finita È sicuro: salta il Mondiale – Risultati e ultime notizie calcio e calciomercato |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=20 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420183928/http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Milan/15-03-2010/beckham-stagione-finita-603312286519.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> After the operation, Orava confirmed: "it went quite fine. The prognosis is he needs a rehabilitation for the next few months, and the plaster cast is the next six to eight weeks. I would say that [it will be] maybe four months before he's running, but six months before he's jumping and kicking."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/03/15/1834650/dr-sakari-orava-confirms-david-beckham-will-make-a-full-recovery- |title=Dr Sakari Orava Confirms David Beckham Will Make A Full Recovery From Achilles Tendon Injury |publisher=Goal.com |date=15 March 2010 |access-date=21 January 2012 |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814154102/http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/03/15/1834650/dr-sakari-orava-confirms-david-beckham-will-make-a-full-recovery- |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2010: Second return to Galaxy====
[[File:David Beckham 2010 LA Galaxy.jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham playing for LA Galaxy in 2010]]
On 11 September 2010, after recovering from his Achilles tendon injury, Beckham returned to the game as a substitute in the 70th minute in the Galaxy's 3–1 win over [[Columbus Crew]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8991596.stm|title=David Beckham returns to action after Achilles injury|work=BBC Sport|date=12 September 2010|access-date=12 September 2010|archive-date=8 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108152954/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8991596.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 October, Beckham scored a trademark free kick in a 2–1 win over [[Chivas USA]] to mark his first goal in [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=829955&sec=global&cc=5739|title=Beckham goal sends Galaxy top of Western Conference|website=ESPN Soccernet|date=4 October 2010|access-date=4 October 2010|archive-date=16 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216023904/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=829955&sec=global&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 24 October, Beckham scored his second goal of the season in the Galaxy's 2–1 win over [[FC Dallas]] which secured them their second successive [[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference]] title and first [[MLS Supporters' Shield]] since [[Major League Soccer 2002 Season|2002]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9122837.stm|title=David Beckham helps LA Galaxy win Supporters' Shield|work=BBC Sport|date=25 October 2010|access-date=25 October 2010|archive-date=28 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028040734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9122837.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2011: MLS Cup champion====
During January and February 2011, ahead of the 2011 MLS season, Beckham trained with Tottenham Hotspur. Rumours in the media claimed that the club were in talks with the Galaxy to sign the player on loan, but, according to Spurs manager [[Harry Redknapp]], the move was blocked by Galaxy, who wanted a full final season from their number 23.<ref>{{cite news |title=AEG blocked Becks switch |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_6742492,00.html |work=Sky Sports |date=9 February 2011 |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-date=14 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314141806/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_6742492,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, he ended up only training with the club as he had done with Arsenal three years earlier. With Beckham playing in the centre of midfield, the Galaxy won the 2011 MLS cup.<ref name="MLS final"/>

[[File:David Beckham 2012.jpg|thumb|left|Beckham with LA Galaxy in 2012]]
On 15 May, Beckham scored his first goal of the season for the Galaxy from a {{convert|30|yd|adj=on}} free kick, in a 4–1 victory over Sporting Kansas City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/8106/galaxy-donovan-possession-spark-big-win|title=Donovan, possession spark big win|publisher=ESPN Los Angeles|date=15 May 2011|access-date=15 May 2011|archive-date=18 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518165734/http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/8106/galaxy-donovan-possession-spark-big-win|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 July, Beckham scored directly from a corner in a 2–1 win over Chicago Fire, repeating a feat he achieved while playing for [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-07-10-948918221_x.htm|title=Beckham scores from corner to give Galaxy victory|work=USA Today|date=10 July 2011|access-date=2 October 2011|archive-date=10 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910071127/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-07-10-948918221_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

After having his best season with the Galaxy to date, and finishing second in the league in assists, Beckham finished his fifth MLS season on a high. On 20 November 2011, he joined an elite group of players to have won league titles in three countries, when Los Angeles won their third [[MLS Cup]] against the Houston Dynamo, winning 1–0 on a goal by captain Landon Donovan, with assists from Beckham and fellow designated player [[Robbie Keane]].<ref name="MLS final">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7263458/mls-cup-landon-donovan-goal-powers-galaxy-third-mls-title |title=MLS Cup – Landon Donovan's goal powers Galaxy to third MLS title |publisher=ESPN |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=21 January 2012 |archive-date=31 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231040653/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7263458/mls-cup-landon-donovan-goal-powers-galaxy-third-mls-title |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Grant|last=Wahl|title=Hollywood Ending: If this was indeed David Beckham's final game in MLS, he went out in style, carrying the Galaxy to a championship and affirming the value of star power in America|date=28 November 2011|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192446/index.htm|access-date=25 November 2011|archive-date=25 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125200646/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192446/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2012: Second successive cup victory====
Following the 2011 season, in which the Galaxy won their second consecutive [[Supporters' Shield]], having the second most points in MLS history, Beckham's five-year contract with the Galaxy expired on 31 December 2011. Despite being 36, he stated that he did not intend to retire. Beckham was heavily linked with [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]], but on 18 January 2012, Galaxy announced Beckham had signed a new two-year contract to remain in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2012/01/la-galaxy-re-sign-david-beckham |title=David Beckham re-signs with LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy official website |publisher=Lagalaxy.com |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209230605/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2012/01/la-galaxy-re-sign-david-beckham |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16625942 |title=Beckham stays with LA Galaxy and signs two-year deal |work=BBC |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=22 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122020952/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16625942 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/beckham-signs-year-deal-la-galaxy-15389465 |title=Beckham Signs New 2-Year-Deal With LA Galaxy |work=ABC News |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=22 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122105224/http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/beckham-signs-year-deal-la-galaxy-15389465 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kay |first=Simon |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/887779-david-beckham-signs-new-two-year-la-galaxy-deal |title=David Beckham signs new two-year LA Galaxy deal |work=Metro |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=21 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621124449/http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/887779-david-beckham-signs-new-two-year-la-galaxy-deal |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2012, Beckham and his victorious teammates were received by [[President of the United States]] [[Barack Obama]] at the [[White House]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18081171|title=President Obama teases David Beckham at White House|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2014|date=15 May 2012|archive-date=18 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518023822/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18081171|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beckham helped the Galaxy to a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference during the 2012 regular season, with Beckham scoring seven goals and adding nine assists. The Galaxy defeated [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC]], the San Jose Earthquakes and [[Seattle Sounders FC]] on their way to the [[MLS Cup 2012|MLS Cup final]], where they defeated the Houston Dynamo 3–1 to retain the cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/01/la-galaxy-mls-cup-2012-dynamo_n_2225115.html|title=L.A. Galaxy Win MLS Cup 2012: Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane Score Goals in Win Over Dynamo|date=2 December 2012|work=HuffPost|access-date=3 December 2012|archive-date=2 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202172207/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/01/la-galaxy-mls-cup-2012-dynamo_n_2225115.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was subbed off in the 89th minute for [[Marcelo Sarvas]], and was given a standing ovation at their home venue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20571436|title=David Beckham wins MLS Cup in final LA Galaxy match|date=2 December 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 December 2012|archive-date=3 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203011442/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20571436|url-status=live}}</ref> Beckham had earlier announced that the [[MLS Cup 2012|2012 MLS Cup Final]] would be his final game with the Galaxy, despite having another year remaining on his contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/david-beckham-says-mls-cup-last-match-l-004521108--sow.html |title=David Beckham says MLS Cup will be his last match with L.A. Galaxy |date=20 November 2012 |access-date=20 November 2012 |archive-date=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123234835/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/david-beckham-says-mls-cup-last-match-l-004521108--sow.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/20/david-beckham-to-leave-la-galaxy |title=David Beckham: MLS Cup final will be my last game for LA Galaxy |date=20 November 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=22 November 2012 |location=London |first=Marcus |last=Christenson |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005154737/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/20/david-beckham-to-leave-la-galaxy |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Paris Saint-Germain===
On 31 January 2013, ahead of the transfer deadline it was announced that Beckham would be undergoing a medical with [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]], ahead of a potential move to the [[Ligue 1]] side.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Ben |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21276595 |title=David Beckham set for Paris St Germain move |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210183052/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21276595 |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham signed a five-month deal with the club later that afternoon, and confirmed that his entire salary during his time in [[Paris]] would be donated to a local children's charity.<ref>{{cite news |title=David Beckham joins Paris St-Germain and will play for free |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21281665 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=1 February 2013 |archive-date=1 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201082530/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21281665 |url-status=live }}</ref> His PSG debut came on 24 February 2013, when he came off the bench in the 76th minute in a Ligue 1 home match against [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]. This made him the 400th player in the history of the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/9892078/David-Beckham-calls-his-Paris-St-Germain-debut-perfect-as-he-helps-to-set-up-their-win-over-Marseille.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/9892078/David-Beckham-calls-his-Paris-St-Germain-debut-perfect-as-he-helps-to-set-up-their-win-over-Marseille.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=David Beckham calls his Paris St Germain debut 'perfect' as he helps to set up their win over Marseille|date=25 February 2013|work=The Telegraph Sport|access-date=3 March 2013 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 12 May 2013, Beckham won a fourth different top flight winners' medal, after PSG beat Lyon 1–0 to claim the [[Ligue 1]] title.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22506180|title=David Beckham's Paris St-Germain clinch French title|first=Andy|last=Brassell|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2014|date=12 May 2013|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109105124/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22506180|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 16 May 2013, Beckham announced that he would retire from professional football at the end of that year's French football season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-david-beckham-retires-football-135743830.html |title=Football – David Beckham retires from football |publisher=Yahoo! Sport |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=16 May 2013 |last=Chick |first=Alex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516152717/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-david-beckham-retires-football-135743830.html |archive-date=16 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22558393 |title=David Beckham to retire from football at end of season |work=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=16 May 2013 |archive-date=16 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516164921/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22558393 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following his decision to retire at the end of the 2012–13 season, Beckham was given specially designed boots in the colours of the [[Union Jack]] to wear in his final game. These boots had the names of his wife and children stitched on them. On 18 May 2013, Beckham was made captain in his final home game against Brest.<ref name="PSG"/> In this game, Beckham assisted a goal by Matuidi from a corner. Beckham was subbed off after 80 minutes, receiving hugs from his fellow players and manager, as well as a standing ovation from fans.<ref name="PSG">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/10066590/David-Beckham-PSGs-captain-for-his-final-match-bows-out-as-a-winner.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/10066590/David-Beckham-PSGs-captain-for-his-final-match-bows-out-as-a-winner.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=David Beckham, PSG's captain for his final match, bows out as a winner|date=19 May 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 September 2014|last1=Sport|first1=Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> PSG went on to win the game 3–1.<ref name="PSG"/>

==International career==
[[File:David Beckham.jpg|thumb|Beckham captained England 59 times in 115 appearances, the fourth-highest after [[Bobby Moore]], [[Billy Wright (footballer born 1924)|Billy Wright]] and [[Bryan Robson]].<ref name="Beckham stands down">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/WorldCup2006/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/06/BeckhamStandsDown.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071029052205/http://www.thefa.com/WorldCup2006/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/06/BeckhamStandsDown.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2007|title=Beckham stands down|date=2 July 2006 |access-date=14 July 2007}}</ref>]]
On 1 September 1996, Beckham made his first appearance for [[England national football team|England]] on 1 in a [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifying match against [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=David Beckham Through the Years|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2014/05/02/david-beckham-through-years|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=2 May 2014|access-date=18 August 2024}}</ref>

In June 1997, he participated in the [[1997 Tournoi de France|Tournoi de France]], the friendly international football tournament held in France as a warm-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup.<ref name="Tournoi de France">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jun/25/vault-england-le-tournoi-france-1997 |title=From the Vault: recalling how England won Le Tournoi de France in 1997 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=24 November 2019 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610185846/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jun/25/vault-england-le-tournoi-france-1997 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpWC/CmpWC1998Squad.html|title=England in World Cup 1998 Squad Records|publisher=englandfootballonline.com|access-date=10 June 2007|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205181400/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpwc/CmpWC1998Squad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but the team's manager [[Glenn Hoddle]] publicly accused him of not concentrating on the tournament,<ref>{{cite web |title=Beckham Blasts Hoddle |work=Daily Dispatch |date=29 June 1998 |url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/06/29/sport/HODDLE.HTM |access-date=5 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514100417/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/06/29/sport/HODDLE.HTM|archive-date=14 May 2009}}</ref> and he did not start in either of England's first two games. He was picked for the third game against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] and scored with a [[Curl (association football)|bending]] {{convert|30|yd|adj=on}} [[Free kick (association football)|free kick]] in a 2–0 victory, which was his first goal for England.<ref name="Colombia">{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/26/england_colombia/ |title=England wins 2–0 to gain 2nd-round match with Argentina |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=25 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529224519/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/26/england_colombia/ |archivedate=29 May 2008 }}</ref>

In the second round (last 16) of that competition, he received a [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|red card]] in England's match against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]].<ref name="Argentina">{{cite news|first=Henry|last=Winter|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9939779/World-Cup-1998-Argentina-2-England-2-Argentina-win-4-3-on-pens-match-report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325055231/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9939779/World-Cup-1998-Argentina-2-England-2-Argentina-win-4-3-on-pens-match-report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2013|title=World Cup 1998; Argentina 2 England 2, Argentina win 4–3 on pens: match report|date=1 July 1998|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> Beckham, after having been fouled by [[Diego Simeone]], kicked Simeone while lying on the ground, striking him on the calf.<ref name="Argentina"/> ''[[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.<ref name="sportsillustrated.cnn July 1998">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/04/philjones_04/ |title=Long-awaited revenge: The Netherlands pay back controversial loss to Argentina |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=4 July 1998 |access-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101023753/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/04/philjones_04/ |archive-date=1 January 2012 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Simeone admits trying to get Beckham sent off |publisher=Rediff Sports |date=19 May 2002 |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/may/19wc3.htm |access-date=26 October 2005 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219141730/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/may/19wc3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The match finished in a draw, and England were eliminated in a [[Penalty shootout (association football)|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 [[public house|pub]], and the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' printing a [[darts|dartboard]] of him. He received death threats after the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beckham's Darkest Hour |publisher=Article on official UEFA website |url=http://en.uefa.com/news/newsId=27844,printer.htmx |access-date=6 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112062436/http://en.uefa.com/news/newsId%3D27844%2Cprinter.htmx |archive-date=12 January 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Euro 2000 and England captaincy===
The abuse that Beckham was receiving from English supporters peaked during [[UEFA Euro 2000 Group A#Portugal vs England|England's 3–2 defeat]] by [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]], a match where Beckham set up two goals, when a group of England supporters taunted him throughout the match.<ref>A reference to Brooklyn {{cite web |title=Leader – Play games behind closed doors |work=New Statesman |date=26 June 2000 |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200006260003 |access-date=4 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127032613/http://www.newstatesman.com/200006260003|archive-date=27 November 2011}}</ref> Beckham responded by [[finger (gesture)|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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Media sympathy for Beckham's gesture |work=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2000 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/790657.stm |access-date=4 October 2005 |archive-date=31 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531043458/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/790657.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="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&nbsp;... I don't believe it! David Beckham scores the goal to take England all the way to the World Cup Finals!&nbsp;... Give that man a Knighthood!"|source=—Television commentary on Beckham's stoppage time {{convert|30|yd|adj=on}} curling free-kick against Greece in the 2002 World Cup qualifying game in October 2001.<ref>"The Amazing David Beckham Goal That Sent England to the 2002 World Cup". The Atlantic. Retrieved 23 May 2014</ref>}}

On 15 November 2000, following [[Kevin Keegan]]'s resignation as England manager in October, Beckham was promoted to team captain by the caretaker manager [[Peter Taylor (footballer born 1953)|Peter Taylor]], and then kept the role under new manager [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]].<ref name="captain"/>

Beckham played a major role in helping England qualify for the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], starring in an impressive [[2001 Germany v England football match|5–1 victory]] over [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in Munich.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1515667.stm|title=Awesome England thrash Germany|website=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|date=1 September 2001}}</ref> The final step in Beckham's conversion from villain to national hero happened in England's final qualifying game against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] on 6 October 2001.<ref name="Greece">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1575190.stm|title=England reach World Cup finals|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=27 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227042004/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1575190.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> England needed to win or draw the match to qualify outright for the World Cup, but were losing 2–1 with little time remaining. When [[Teddy Sheringham]] was fouled {{convert|8|yd|0|spell=in}} outside the Greek penalty area, England were awarded a free-kick and Beckham ensured England's qualification with a curling strike of the kind that had become his trademark.<ref name="Greece"/> Beckham was voted the [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] for 2001, and finished runner-up to [[Luís Figo]] of Portugal, for the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1715960.stm|title=Figo best in world|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=2 February 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202113856/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1715960.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004===
[[File:020607beckhamPK.jpg|thumb|left|Beckham scoring a penalty against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at the 2002 World Cup]]
Beckham was partially fit by the time of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] held in Japan and South Korea, and played in the first match against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]. After the events of four years earlier, Beckham achieved a degree of revenge over Argentina by scoring the winning goal with a penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/argentina_v_england/default.stm|title=England's revenge|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=7 June 2002|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106115412/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/argentina_v_england/default.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> England defeated [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] in the second round with Beckham providing an assist in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/denmark_v_england/default.stm |title=England brush Danes aside |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=15 June 2002 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> England were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] after [[Ronaldinho]] scored the winner; following the match, Beckham was criticised in the media for jumping over a tackle late in the first half, which led to Brazil's equaliser.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2049000/2049924.stm|title=Brazil end England's dream|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212040235/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2049000/2049924.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=James|last=Lawton|title=Beckham's convenient smokescreen|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/beckham-s-convenient-smokescreen-181260.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 June 2002 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref>

The following month, at the opening ceremony of the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] in Manchester, Beckham escorted [[Kirsty Howard]] as she presented the [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Jubilee Baton to the Queen]]. Beckham played in all of England's matches at [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]]. He had a penalty saved in England's opening 2–1 defeat to France<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3787491.stm |title=France 2-1 England |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=13 June 2004 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> and missed another in a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] in the quarter-final match against hosts [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], following a 2–2 draw.<ref name="Euros"/> England lost the shootout 6–5, thus going out of the competition.<ref name="Euros">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm|title=Portugal break England hearts|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=17 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417090356/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2005, Beckham's sending off against [[Austria national football team|Austria]] made him the first England captain to be sent off and the first player to be sent off twice while playing for England. He captained England for the 50th time in a friendly international against Argentina the following month.<ref name="captain"/>

===2006 FIFA World Cup===
In England's opening game at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] on 10 June 2006, Beckham's free kick led to an [[own-goal]] by [[Carlos Gamarra]] as England won 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4852606.stm |title=England 1-0 Paraguay |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=10 June 2006 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> In England's next match, played against [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] on 15 June 2006, Beckham's cross in the 83rd minute led to a [[Peter Crouch]] goal, which put England into the lead 1–0. Beckham gave another assist to [[Steven Gerrard]]. In the end they won 2–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853008.stm |title=England 2-0 Trinidad & Tobago |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=15 June 2006 |access-date=18 June 2024 }}</ref> He was named [[Man of the Match]] by tournament sponsor [[Budweiser]].

During England's second round match against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]], Beckham scored from a free kick in the 59th minute, becoming the first English player to score in three separate World Cups,<ref name="Ecuador">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5103974.stm |title=England 1–0 Ecuador |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=25 June 2006 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=8 March 2008 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080308165609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5103974.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and giving England a 1–0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals. He was sick before the game and vomited several times as a result of [[dehydration]] and illness that he got after having scored the winning goal for England.<ref name="Ecuador"/> In the quarter-final against Portugal, Beckham was substituted following an injury shortly after half time and the England team went on to lose the match on penalties (3–1), the score having been 0–0 after extra time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm|title=England 0–0 Portugal|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=31 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231122454/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> After his substitution, Beckham was visibly shaken and emotional for not being able to play, being in tears at one point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/01/worldcup.portugal/|title=Portugal sink England on Penalties|publisher=CNN|date=1 July 2006|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406031700/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/01/worldcup.portugal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A day after England were knocked out of the World Cup, an emotional Beckham made a statement in a news conference that he had stepped down as England captain,<ref name="captain">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5138288.stm |title=Beckham quits as England captain |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=2 July 2006 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=10 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210040846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5138288.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> stating: "It has been an honour and privilege to captain my country but, having been captain for 58 of my 95<ref>This was an error on Beckham's part – he had played 94 times for England by this stage.</ref> games, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under [[Steve McClaren]]." (Beckham had won 94 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] up to that point.) He was succeeded by [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] captain [[John Terry]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782197.stm|title=Terry named new England skipper|access-date=10 August 2006|work=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2006|archive-date=23 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823191300/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782197.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Having stepped down as captain after the World Cup, Beckham was dropped completely from the England national team selected by new coach [[Steve McClaren]] on 11 August 2006. McClaren said that he was "looking to go in a different direction" with the team, and that Beckham "wasn't included within that".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782613.stm|title=McLaren ends Beckham England era|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=13 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913001907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4782613.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> McClaren said Beckham could be recalled in future. [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]], [[Kieran Richardson]] and the World Cup alternative to Beckham, [[Aaron Lennon]], were all included, although McClaren eventually opted to employ [[Steven Gerrard]] in that role.

===Post-2006 World Cup===
[[File:Beckhamtakesfreekick.jpg|thumb|Beckham takes the free kick against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] from which [[John Terry]] scored.]]
On 26 May 2007, McClaren announced that Beckham would be recalled to the England squad for the first time since stepping down as their captain. Beckham started against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] in England's first match at the new [[Wembley Stadium]] and put in a positive performance. In the second half, he set up England's goal converted by captain [[John Terry]]. It looked as though England would claim victory over Brazil, but newcomer [[Diego (footballer, born 1985)|Diego]] equalised in the dying seconds. In England's next match, a Euro 2008 qualifier against [[Estonia national football team|Estonia]], Beckham sent two trademark assists for [[Michael Owen]] and [[Peter Crouch]], helping England to prevail 3–0. Beckham had assisted in three of England's four total goals in those two games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/EstoniaEngland_report.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080509055532/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/EstoniaEngland_report.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 May 2008|title=Three's the magic number|publisher=The Football Association|date=6 June 2007|access-date=9 June 2007}}</ref> and he stated his desire to continue to play for England after his move to [[Major League Soccer]].

On 22 August 2007, Beckham played in a friendly for England against [[Germany national football team|Germany]], becoming the first to play for England while with a non-European club team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=455849&root=euro2008&cc=4716 |title=Becks and England suffer Wembley woe |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=22 August 2007 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023101648/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=455849&root=euro2008&cc=4716 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 21 November 2007, Beckham earned his 99th cap against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]], setting up a goal for Peter Crouch to tie the game at 2–2. Following the 2–3 loss, England failed to qualify for the [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008 Finals]]. Despite this, Beckham said that he had no plans to retire from international football and wanted to continue playing for the national team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7106741.stm |title=Beckham dismisses retirement talk |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 November 2007 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=4 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504092707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7106741.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> After being passed over by new England coach and Beckham's former manager at [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], [[Fabio Capello]], for a friendly against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] which would have given him his hundredth cap; Beckham admitted that he was not in shape at the time, as he had not played a competitive match in three months.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Beckham acknowledges lack of fitness |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7845276/Beckham-acknowledges-lack-of-fitness |journal=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] |date=28 February 2008 |access-date=1 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302003736/http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7845276/Beckham-acknowledges-lack-of-fitness |archive-date=2 March 2008 }}</ref>

===100 England caps, final appearance===
[[File:David Beckham, 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Beckham lining up a free kick for England in 2008]]
On 20 March 2008, Beckham was recalled to the England squad by Capello for the friendly against [[France national football team|France]] in Paris on 26 March. Beckham became only the fifth Englishman to win 100 caps. Capello had hinted on 25 March 2008 that Beckham had a long-term future in his side, ahead of crucial qualifiers for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Beckham to start in Paris for 100th cap |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/03/26/football.beckham/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=26 March 2008 |access-date=26 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329225706/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/03/26/football.beckham/index.html |archive-date=29 March 2008 }}</ref>

On 11 May 2008, Capello included an in-form Beckham in his 31-man England squad to face the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] on 28 May before the away fixture with [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] on 1 June. Beckham –&nbsp;who wore a pair of golden boots to mark the occasion – was honoured before the match by receiving an honorary gold cap representing his 100th cap from [[Bobby Charlton]], and was given a standing ovation from the crowd. He played well and assisted John Terry on the match-winning goal. When substituted at half-time for [[David Bentley]], the pro-Beckham crowd booed the decision.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hart & Jagielka in England Squad |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7395247.stm |website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 May 2008 |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608015646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7395247.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan|last=Veal|title=From Golden Generation to golden boots, remembering David Beckham's 100th England cap|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/david-beckham-100th-england-cap-2008-fabio-capello-a9426041.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=26 March 2020 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401212055/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/david-beckham-100th-england-cap-2008-fabio-capello-a9426041.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a surprise move, Capello handed Beckham the captaincy for England's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June 2008. The match was the first time since the 2006 World Cup that Beckham had skippered England and marked a dramatic turnaround for Beckham. In two years, he had gone from being dropped completely from the England squad to being reinstated (though temporarily) as England captain.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Capello names Beckham as captain for T&T friendly |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8193404/Capello-names-Beckham-as-captain-for-T&T-friendly |work=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] |date=31 May 2008 |access-date=31 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712104347/http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8193404/Capello-names-Beckham-as-captain-for-T%26T-friendly |archive-date=12 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the 2010 World Cup Qualifier against [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]], which England won 3–1 in [[Minsk]], Beckham came off the bench in the 87th minute to earn his 107th cap making him England's third-most-[[cap (sport)|capped]] player in history, overtaking Bobby Charlton in the process. On 11 February 2009, Beckham drew level with [[Bobby Moore]]'s record of 108 caps for an English outfield player, coming on as a substitute for [[Stewart Downing]] in a friendly match against [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=260599&cc=5901 |title=Report: Spain vs England – International Friendly |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=4 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215121358/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=260599&cc=5901 |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> On 28 March 2009, Beckham surpassed Moore to hold the record outright when he came on as a substitute in a friendly against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]], providing the assist for a goal from [[Wayne Rooney]] in the process.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7966672.stm |title=International football as it happened |work=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2009 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=4 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404105346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7966672.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, Beckham had made 16 appearances out of a possible 20 for England under Capello until his ruptured Achilles tendon of March 2010 ruled him out of selection for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in South Africa.<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> His last game for England before injury had been on 14 October 2009 as a substitute in England's last World Cup qualifying game, which ended [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6|England 3–0 Belarus]].<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/>

After a poor performance from England at the World Cup, Capello remained as manager but was under pressure to revamp the England squad for the imminent [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group G|UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign]]. He unveiled a new team at the next England match, a home friendly match against Hungary on 11 August 2010, with Beckham still unavailable for selection but aiming for a return to playing in MLS by the following month.<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> In the post-match interview, Capello said of the prospect of the now 35-year-old Beckham playing any future competitive matches for England, that: "I need to change it. David is a fantastic player but I think we need new players for the future", referring to the new players that play in Beckham's right midfield position, including [[Theo Walcott]] and [[Adam Johnson (footballer)|Adam Johnson]], adding: "This is the future of the team under Fabio Capello or another manager."<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> He said that Beckham may be selected for one last friendly game, stating, "If he is fit, I hope we will play one more game here at Wembley so the fans can say goodbye." Beckham's agent released a statement reiterating Beckham's position that he had no desire to retire from international football, and would always make himself available for selection for England if fit and if needed.<ref name="BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8906692.stm |title=David Beckham has no England future, says Fabio Capello|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 August 2010 |access-date=12 August 2010 |archive-date=9 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409063132/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8906692.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham remained ten caps short of the record number of 125 caps by goalkeeper [[Peter Shilton]], for a player of any position.<ref name=BBC11Aug2010NoEnglandFuture/> Beckham was named in the provisional squad to represent the [[Great Britain men's Olympic football team|Great Britain Olympic football team]] at the 2012 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/david-beckham-set-to-be-included-in-provisional-team-gb-olympic-squad-7830913.html|title=David Beckham set to be included in provisional Team GB Olympic squad|work=The Independent|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=4 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140255/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/david-beckham-set-to-be-included-in-provisional-team-gb-olympic-squad-7830913.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was not included in the final selection by manager [[Stuart Pearce]], while Andy Hunt, the head the [[British Olympic Association]], contacted Beckham's representatives for him to be related to [[Team GB]] more broadly.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18673893|title=Team GB: David Beckham left out for football reasons – Stuart Pearce|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2014|date=2 July 2012|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413080236/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18673893|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Player profile==
===Style of play===
[[File:Beckham first goal LA Galaxy.jpg|thumb|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 (association football)|free-kick]] exponents of all time.<ref name="Beckham best generation"/><ref name="best freekick takers history"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Ranking the 16 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time |access-date=14 October 2020 |magazine=Bleacher Report |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806214301/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref> As of September 2023, Beckham ranks joint-5th all time (alongside [[Lionel Messi]]) in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Most goals via free-kicks in football history |url=https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick-goals-football-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=Sports Adda |date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221143/https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick-goals-football-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham has been rated by some pundits as one of the greatest wide midfielders of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://bleacherreport.com/articles/133999-greatest-ever-football-top-ten-right-midfielders-of-all-time |title= Greatest Ever: Football: Top 10 Right-Midfielders of All Time |publisher= BleacherReport |access-date= 10 May 2023 |archive-date= 10 May 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230510192710/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/133999-greatest-ever-football-top-ten-right-midfielders-of-all-time |url-status= live }}</ref> Predominantly right-footed, his range of passing, vision, [[Cross (association football)|crossing]] ability and [[Curl (association football)|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.<ref name="Kings of the free-kick"/><ref name="United Legends"/><ref name="ESPN 2002 Profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/england/players/beckhamdavid.html |title=England – Who's Who: David Beckham |publisher=ESPN FC |date=3 September 2002 |access-date=10 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610193540/http://www.espnfc.com/england/players/beckhamdavid.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/23/sport.comment1 |title=Famous five for the heart of Eriksson's new England |work=The Guardian |last1=Atkinson |first1=Ron |last2=Campbell |first2=Sol |date=23 February 2001 |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605175739/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/23/sport.comment1 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/tactics/gary-neville-forge-menacing-full-back-and-winger-partnership#:Jw2w5s73y-Ym0A|title=Gary Neville: Forge a menacing full-back and winger partnership|work=FourFourTwo|last1=Welch|first1=Ben|date=11 June 2013|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-date=10 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210051416/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/tactics/gary-neville-forge-menacing-full-back-and-winger-partnership#:Jw2w5s73y-Ym0A|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="farewell">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/02/farewell-to-gary-neville|title=Farewell to Gary Neville, the finest right-back of his generation|work=The Guardian|last1=Williams|first1=Richard|date=2 February 2011|access-date=19 May 2016|archive-date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625150143/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/02/farewell-to-gary-neville|url-status=live}}</ref>

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),<ref name="Fans beg Kaka to stay"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/18/sir-alex-ferguson-david-beckham-milan |title=Milan wrong to play David Beckham in central midfield says Sir Alex Ferguson |work=The Guardian |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124054702/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/18/sir-alex-ferguson-david-beckham-milan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Golden Goal">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/aug/19/golden-goal-david-beckham-manchester-united-wimbledon-1996-halfway-line |title=Golden Goal: David Beckham for Man Utd against Wimbledon (1996) |work=The Guardian |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |date=19 August 2016 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610231417/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/aug/19/golden-goal-david-beckham-manchester-united-wimbledon-1996-halfway-line |url-status=live }}</ref> and on rare instances as a [[Playmaker#Deep-lying playmakers|deep-lying playmaker]], in particular in his later career, to compensate for his physical decline with his advancing age.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/1847278/headline |title=Could Beckham have played in the middle? |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Okwonga |first1=Musa |date=19 March 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611020531/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/1847278/headline |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1424372-david-beckham-tactical-evolution-of-man-utd-real-madrid-and-la-galaxy-star |title=David Beckham: Tactical Evolution of Man Utd, Real Madrid and L.A. Galaxy Star |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Tighe |first1=Sam |date=27 November 2012 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610185039/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1424372-david-beckham-tactical-evolution-of-man-utd-real-madrid-and-la-galaxy-star |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham felt that his best role was on the right, although he personally preferred playing in the [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|centre]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/2369338/becks-nominates-best-position |title=Becks nominates best position |last1=Marshall |first1=Adam |work=Sky Sports |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610212530/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/2369338/becks-nominates-best-position |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to his passing, crossing, and prowess from [[Set piece (football)|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 [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box midfielder]] in his youth;<ref name="Golden Goal"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Becks' defending masterclass |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527147.stm |date=2 March 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527147.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/david-beckham-50-interesting-facts-you-might-not-know-about/1f4swedpi4c691xewy292m2v6g |title=David Beckham: 50 interesting facts you might not know about the ex-Man Utd & Real Madrid midfielder |publisher=Goal.com |date=21 June 2019 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611021454/https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/david-beckham-50-interesting-facts-you-might-not-know-about/1f4swedpi4c691xewy292m2v6g |url-status=live }}</ref> he was occasionally deployed as a [[Defender (association football)#Wing-back|wing-back]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham faces axe for England's Cup opener |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/beckham-faces-axe-for-englands-cup-opener-26183739.html |work=The Irish independent |last1=Holt |first1=Oliver |date=13 June 1998 |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182910/https://www.independent.ie/sport/beckham-faces-axe-for-englands-cup-opener-26183739.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, he was also an accurate striker of the ball from distance,<ref name="Golden Goal"/><ref name="Hit the net with David Beckham">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3534000/3534331.stm |title=Hit the net with David Beckham |date=5 March 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414120827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3534000/3534331.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as being a competent [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] taker.<ref name="Hit the net with David Beckham"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1344677-manchester-uniteds-seven-most-spot-on-penalty-takers-under-alex-ferguson#slide5 |title=Manchester United's 7 Most Spot-on Penalty Takers Under Alex Ferguson |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Jamie |date=23 September 2012 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610221750/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1344677-manchester-uniteds-seven-most-spot-on-penalty-takers-under-alex-ferguson#slide5 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also drew praise in the media for his ball control<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3532000/3532995.stm |title=Improve your control with Becks |date=12 October 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415063104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3532000/3532995.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and ability to create space for himself on the pitch,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527225.stm |title=How to find space with Becks |date=2 March 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414121205/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527225.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as his anticipation, composure, determination, athleticism, dedication, and intelligence as a footballer.<ref name="ESPN 2002 Profile"/><ref name="Soccer and Spice"/><ref name="top 20">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2374617/The-Top-20.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2374617/The-Top-20.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Top 20 |work=The Telegraph |date=10 March 2004 |access-date=17 April 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Approach to training and praise from managers===
{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="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."|source=—Former Manchester United manager [[Alex Ferguson]].<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>}}
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."<ref name="Kings of the free-kick">{{cite news |url=http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1551015/index.html |title=Kings of the free-kick |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=20 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617103741/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1551015/index.html |archivedate=17 June 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Beckham takes a great leap forward">{{cite news|last1=Barclay|first1=Patrick|title=Ferguson happy as Beckham takes a great leap forward|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/2995526/Ferguson-happy-as-Beckham-takes-a-great-leap-forward.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/2995526/Ferguson-happy-as-Beckham-takes-a-great-leap-forward.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=18 December 2014|date=30 December 2000}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Beckham reportedly spent hours practising his free kicks after training sessions had ended.<ref name="United Legends">{{cite web|url=http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/DavidBeckham.htm|title=Manchester United Legends – David Beckham|publisher=manutdzone.com|access-date=28 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818030242/http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/DavidBeckham.htm|archive-date=18 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/17/david-beckham-alex-ferguson-manchester-united |title=David Beckham: product of Sir Alex Ferguson's school of hard graft |work=The Guardian |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005160752/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/17/david-beckham-alex-ferguson-manchester-united |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Zidane still the master">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400339/Zidane-still-the-master.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400339/Zidane-still-the-master.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Zidane still the master |work=The Telegraph |last1=Hayward |first1=Paul |date=26 April 2003 |access-date=25 October 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Beckham maintained his training routine at Real Madrid and even when his relationship with management was strained in early 2007, Real Madrid president [[Ramón Calderón]] and manager [[Fabio Capello]] praised Beckham for maintaining his professionalism and commitment to the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/13/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Real-Madrid-Beckham.php |title=Coach says Beckham won't play again for Real Madrid |work=International Herald Time |date=13 January 2007 |access-date=28 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620123856/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/13/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Real-Madrid-Beckham.php |archive-date=20 June 2007 }}</ref> Beckham's Real Madrid teammate [[Roberto Carlos]] regarded Beckham to be the best free-kick exponent he had ever seen.<ref name="Roberto Carlos"/> One of the other best free kick exponents of their generation, Roberto Carlos, commented on the dilemma the team faced when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area: "I would stand on one side and Beckham on the other but I wanted to see Beckham take the free-kick because it's beautiful how he hits the ball."<ref name="Roberto Carlos">{{cite news|title=Beckham is best says Roberto Carlos|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01d5-0e70b1cdb2aa-fdc08ead8e7c-1000--beckham-is-best-says-roberto-carlos/|website=[[UEFA]]|date=9 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311073517/https://www.uefa.com/news/01d5-0e70b1cdb2aa-fdc08ead8e7c-1000--beckham-is-best-says-roberto-carlos/|url-status=live |archive-date=11 March 2022|access-date=17 September 2022|df=dmy-all}}</ref> During Beckham's time with Milan, his manager [[Carlo Ancelotti]] praised the Englishman for his intelligence and work-rate, in particular the improvements he demonstrated to the technical and tactical aspects of his game, which allowed him to compensate for his loss of pace.<ref name="Milan never intended to play David Beckham"/>

His former England manager [[Steve McClaren]] stated: <blockquote>I've been very fortunate to work with some great players and he [Beckham] was one of them. He was a great player, he made the very most of his talents and that was through sheer hard work, professionalism, always doing extra on the training field. He inspired his team-mates through his performances, he was a winner. He was a leader, people followed him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-reaction |title=David Beckham retires: 'He was a leader, people followed him' |work=The Guardian |last1=Jackson |first1=Jamie |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311200150/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-reaction |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote> Arsenal manager [[Arsène Wenger]] stated, "What remains in your memory is his genuine commitment and dedication, his natural humility which he always had, that will stay forever."<ref name="Quote"/>

In May 2013, asked about how he wanted to be remembered in his retirement, Beckham said, "I just want people to see me as a hardworking footballer, someone that's passionate about the game, someone that – every time I stepped on the pitch – I've given everything that I have, because that's how I feel. That's how I look back on it and hope people will see me."<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>

===Discipline===
Earlier in his career, Beckham's discipline during matches was brought into question on occasion in the media, due to his temper and his tendency to commit rash challenges and pick up unnecessary bookings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/594307.stm |title=Beckham: Help or hindrance? |work=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2000 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128011318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/594307.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-summons-beckham-over-poor-discipline-1122910.html |title=Football: FA summons Beckham over poor discipline |newspaper=The Independent |last1=Harris |first1=Nick |date=28 September 1999 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418125015/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-summons-beckham-over-poor-discipline-1122910.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham was the first England player ever to collect two red cards, and the first England captain to be sent off.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article576493.ece|title=Beckham red card but joy for Sven|newspaper=[[The Times]]|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510204225/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article576493.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beckham's most notorious red card was during the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] after Argentina's [[Diego Simeone]] had fouled him: Beckham, lying face down on the pitch, kicked out at the Argentine midfielder, who fell dramatically.<ref name="Argentina"/> Along with [[Wayne Rooney]], he holds the record for the most red cards for England at international level.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2057966/headline |title=Wayne Rooney's controversial foul vs. West Ham not his first gaffe |publisher=ESPN FC |date=27 September 2014 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611020744/https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2057966/headline |url-status=live }}</ref> His second red card for England came on 8 October 2005, in a [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2006 World Cup qualifier]] against Austria in Manchester.<ref name="Beckham's career red cards"/>

His only red card with Manchester United came on 6 January 2000, in the [[2000 FIFA Club World Championship]] against Necaxa.<ref name="Beckham's career red cards"/> During his time at Real Madrid, he amassed 41 yellow cards and four red cards in La Liga; he also received a red card in a Copa del Rey match against Valencia on 21 January 2004, in Madrid.<ref name="Beckham's career red cards">{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-beckham-statbox/statbox-david-beckhams-career-red-cards-idUKL1719114020070217 |title=STATBOX-David Beckham's career red cards |work=Reuters |date=17 February 2007 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611024349/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-beckham-statbox/statbox-david-beckhams-career-red-cards-idUKL1719114020070217 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="espnfc.com">{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/8880/david-beckham?cc=5739|title=ESPN player statistics: David Beckham|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=29 April 2013|archive-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602144129/http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/8880/david-beckham?cc=5739|url-status=live}}</ref> His only red card with LA Galaxy came on 15 August 2009, in a 2–0 home defeat to the Seattle Sounders in MLS.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/16/david-beckham-red-card-la-galaxy |title=David Beckham hits new low at LA Galaxy with red card in 17th minute |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 August 2009 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610064745/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/16/david-beckham-red-card-la-galaxy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2013/04/29/david-beckhams-only-mls-red-card-la-galaxy-vs-seattle-sounders-2009 |title=David Beckham's only MLS Red Card – LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders 2009 |publisher=MLS Soccer |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730122934/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2013/04/29/david-beckhams-only-mls-red-card-la-galaxy-vs-seattle-sounders-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> He received one red card while at Paris Saint-Germain, in a match against Evian on 28 April 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22334844 |title=David Beckham sent off after six minutes in PSG victory |work=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016225936/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22334844 |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2000 and 2013, Beckham played 572 competitive games for England, Milan, LA Galaxy, Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG, and he received nine red cards – one every 63–64 matches, on average.<ref name="espnfc.com"/>

===Reception===
[[File:David Beckham at Madame Tussauds London.jpg|thumb|upright|Wax statue of Beckham at [[Madame Tussauds]], London]]
Despite his success, popularity, and playing ability, critical reception of Beckham was often divided among sporting figures and fans throughout his career, in part – as Subhankar Mondal of ''[[Goal (website)|Goal]]'' notes – due to his ventures off the pitch, and the widespread coverage that his personal life received.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2008/08/10/812272/debate-is-david-beckham-truly-great |title=Debate: Is David Beckham Truly Great? |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Mondal |first1=Subhankar |date=10 August 2008 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611045426/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2008/08/10/812272/debate-is-david-beckham-truly-great |url-status=live }}</ref> His former Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, speculated in 2007 that Beckham's increasing celebrity status, in particular following his highly publicised relationship with his future wife [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria]], had actually had a negative impact on his playing career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11573971/David-Beckham-in-40-quotes.html |title=David Beckham in 40 quotes |work=The Telegraph |last1=Richman |first1=Darren |date=2 May 2015 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610151832/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11573971/David-Beckham-in-40-quotes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, he claimed he had only coached four world class players throughout his time at United, excluding Beckham from the list, commenting: "I don't mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world class: [[Eric Cantona|Cantona]], [[Ryan Giggs|Giggs]], [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] and [[Paul Scholes|Scholes]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sir-alex-ferguson-claims-he-managed-just-four-world-class-players-in-26-years-at-manchester-united-10511947.html |title=Sir Alex Ferguson claims he managed just four world class players in 26 years at Manchester United |work=The Independent |last1=Rice |first1=Simon |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102124631/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sir-alex-ferguson-claims-he-managed-just-four-world-class-players-in-26-years-at-manchester-united-10511947.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Upon his departure to LA Galaxy, {{Lang|es|[[El País]]}} reflected on the dichotomy of Beckham's playing career and his status off the pitch, describing him as "the great paradox of world football", also adding: <blockquote>He is the greatest icon on the planet and the cause of such delirium in the media and on the streets, the greatest catwalk model there is. And yet he has been an anti-diva. He was the most galactic of the galacticos off the pitch, but the greatest of earthlings when he walked on to the field.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2315481/Spain-bids-farewell-to-Beckham.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2315481/Spain-bids-farewell-to-Beckham.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Spain bids farewell to Beckham |work=The Telegraph |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid |date=19 June 2007 |access-date=2 April 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref></blockquote> Regarding Beckham's crossing ability, Rob Smyth of ''[[The Guardian]]'' said in 2014: "he was a great crosser and perhaps the greatest of all time," also noting that "he was a dead-ball specialist and also a dying-ball specialist: [...] his signature crosses in open play involved a ball that was barely moving, which allowed him to use the same technique as with corners and free-kicks."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/14/joy-of-six-crosses-david-beckham |title=The Joy of Six: football crosses |work=The Guardian |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |date=14 February 2014 |access-date=3 April 2020 |archive-date=26 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426113720/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/14/joy-of-six-crosses-david-beckham |url-status=live }}</ref> Nigel Reed of [[CBC Sports]] commented on Beckham's career and celebrity status, stating: "His brand is global, his appeal universal. He sparked debate and polarized opinion. But underneath the gloss he was, first and foremost, a very good footballer." He also added that while he felt that "Beckham was not the greatest player of his generation," he believed he had the ability to change games, describing him as "master of his art and a deadly opponent", whose "talent was only topped by his passion."<ref name="Soccer and Spice">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/soccer/opinion/2013/05/david-beckham-soccer-and-spice.html |title=David Beckham: Soccer and Spice |work=CBC Sports |last1=Reed |first1=Nigel |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616210250/https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/soccer/opinion/2013/05/david-beckham-soccer-and-spice.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Football-related business activities==
===David Beckham Academy===
[[File:David Beckham Academy London at night.jpg|thumb|Beckham Academy in London]]
In 2005, Beckham founded the [[David Beckham Academy]] football school, operating in London and Los Angeles. It was announced in late 2009 that both would close.<ref>{{Cite news |title=California Branch of David Beckham Academy Closes |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2010/02/08/1781126/california-branch-of-david-beckham-academy-closes |publisher=Goal |access-date=28 November 2010 |date=28 November 2010 |archive-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515045727/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2010/02/08/1781126/california-branch-of-david-beckham-academy-closes |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Inter Miami===
{{Main|Inter Miami CF}}
On 5 February 2014, MLS announced that Beckham had exercised his option to buy a [[Expansion of Major League Soccer|MLS expansion team]] for {{USD|25&nbsp;million}}, which he had received as part of the contract he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007.<ref name="Kennedy" /> The ownership group, led by Beckham, originally hoped the [[Miami]]-based team would begin play in 2016 or 2017.<ref name="Miami Beckham" /> After delays getting a [[Miami MLS stadium|stadium]] deal completed, MLS announced in January 2018 that the team had been approved, and would likely begin play in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42864461|title=David Beckham launches Miami Major League Soccer team|work=BBC Sport|date=29 January 2018|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505114620/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42864461|url-status=live}}</ref> The team name and crest were revealed on 5 September. Club Internacional de Futbol Miami – more commonly known as, Inter Miami – is represented by a black crest with neon pink trimmings and herons whose legs clasp to form an "M" for Miami.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-miami-soccer-team-crest-20180905-story.html|title=Inter Miami: David Beckham's MLS team unveils name and crest|last1=Lerner|first1=Keven|first2=Doug|last2=Phillips|work=Sun-Sentinel|access-date=5 September 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012130359/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-miami-soccer-team-crest-20180905-story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Inter Miami: David Beckham's MLS team is called Club Internacional de Futbol Miami |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45419289 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906040231/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45419289 |url-status=live }}</ref> The club made its MLS debut on 1 March 2020 with a 1–0 away loss to [[Los Angeles FC|Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=560541|title=LAFC vs. Inter Miami CF – Football Match Report – March 1, 2020 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302040744/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=560541|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Salford City===
In January 2019, it was announced that Beckham was set to join his Class of '92 teammates as part owner of English non-league club [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]], taking 10% of the club previously held by [[Peter Lim]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46972871|title=David Beckham to become shareholder of National League club Salford|date=23 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=23 January 2019|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301081420/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46972871|url-status=live}}</ref> with the deal being subject to [[Football Association]] approval. On 31 January, the club announced that the FA had approved him to become a director of the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47077888|title=David Beckham: Salford City directorship approved by Football Association|date=31 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=1 February 2019|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022160001/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47077888|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:David Beckham Victoria Beckham 2019.jpg|thumb|Beckham and wife [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria]] in 2019]]
In 1997, Beckham started dating [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria Adams]] after she attended a Manchester United match.<ref name="mend">{{Cite news |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article55497.ece |title=David and Victoria Beckham: Can they mend it like Beckhams? |work=The Independent |date=11 April 2005 |access-date=3 September 2018|location=London |first=Alison |last=Roberts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228201145/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article55497.ece |archive-date=28 December 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lamondamagazine.com/en/m/defense/victoria-beckham/ |title=Victoria Beckham owes me everything |first=Juliette |last=Wills |date=21 July 2013 |website=La Monda |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903151008/http://www.lamondamagazine.com/en/m/defense/victoria-beckham/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=idolsw>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2007/08/beckhams_steven_klein?currentPage=2 |title=American Idols |work=[[W (magazine)|W]] |date=1 January 2010 |access-date=3 September 2018|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214155704/http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2007/08/beckhams_steven_klein?currentPage=2 |archive-date=14 February 2009 }}</ref> She was famously known as "Posh Spice" of the pop music group [[Spice Girls]], one of Britain's top pop groups at the time, and his team was also enjoying a great run of success. Their relationship instantly attracted a great deal of media attention. The couple were dubbed "[[Posh and Becks]]" by the media.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6295214.stm |title=Will Brand Beckham break America? |last=Pryor |first=Fiona |date=12 July 2007 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-date=11 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311093221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6295214.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He proposed to her on 24 January 1998 in a restaurant in [[Cheshunt]], England.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

On 4 July 1999, they married at [[Luttrellstown Castle]] in Ireland. Beckham's teammate [[Gary Neville]] was the best man,<ref name="mend"/> and the couple's four-month-old son, Brooklyn, was the ring bearer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/383151.stm |title=David and Victoria tie the knot |work=BBC News |date=5 July 1999 |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303110445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/383151.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The media were kept away from the ceremony, as the Beckhams had an exclusive deal with ''[[OK!|OK! Magazine]]'', but newspapers were able to obtain photographs of them sitting on golden thrones.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sun pips OK! to Posh wedding photos |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/387126.stm |access-date=25 May 2006 |date=6 July 1999 |archive-date=6 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706182022/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/387126.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> 437 staff were employed for the wedding reception, which was estimated to have cost £500,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wedded spice |work=BBC News |date=5 July 1999 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/385866.stm |access-date=2 December 2005 |archive-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907003627/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/385866.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

David and Victoria have four children: sons [[Brooklyn Beckham|Brooklyn Joseph]] (born 4 March 1999 in London),<ref name="biography.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321 |title=David Beckham Biography: Soccer Player (1975–) |publisher=[[Biography.com]] ([[FYI (TV network)|FYI]] / [[A&E Networks]]) |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911191147/http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Romeo Beckham|Romeo James]] (born 1 September 2002 in London),<ref>{{cite news|title=Beckhams name their new son Romeo|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1405989/Beckhams-name-their-new-son-Romeo.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1405989/Beckhams-name-their-new-son-Romeo.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=11 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Cruz David (born 20 February 2005 in Madrid),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4281405.stm |title=Beckhams celebrate birth of Cruz |website=BBC News |accessdate=11 December 2016 |archive-date=17 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017133325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4281405.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and daughter Harper Seven (born 10 July 2011 in Los Angeles).<ref>Byrne, Alla and Perry, Simon {{cite web |url=https://people.com/parents/victoria-beckham-and-david-beckham-have-a-baby-girl/ |title=Victoria and David Beckham Welcome a Daughter |work=[[People (American magazine)|People]] |date=10 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917074756/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20505597,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Elton John]] and [[David Furnish]] are reportedly the godparents to Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/victoria-beckham-children-cruz-harper-christening_uk_5dff34b8e4b05b08bab6bd9d |title=Victoria Beckham Shares Photos From Cruz And Harper's Star-Studded Christening |last=Welsh |first=Daniel |date=22 December 2019 |website=Huffington Post |access-date=19 November 2024 }}</ref> their godmother is [[Elizabeth Hurley]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marriage.about.com/od/sports/a/davidbeckham.htm |title=Victoria and David Beckham Marriage Profile |publisher=Marriage.about.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=5 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205204021/http://marriage.about.com/od/sports/a/davidbeckham.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cruz and Harper were baptized [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] at [[Holy Trinity Church, Chipping Norton|Holy Trinity, Chipping Norton]]; among their godparents were [[Eva Longoria]] and [[Marc Anthony]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2019 |title=Victoria Beckham Shares Photos From Cruz And Harper's Star-Studded Christening |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/victoria-beckham-children-cruz-harper-christening_uk_5dff34b8e4b05b08bab6bd9d |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=HuffPost UK |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027114236/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/victoria-beckham-children-cruz-harper-christening_uk_5dff34b8e4b05b08bab6bd9d |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beckham's three sons have all played football in the [[Arsenal F.C. Academy|Arsenal academy]].<ref name="Brooklyn">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/11262771/David-Beckham-in-car-crash-after-picking-up-son-Brooklyn-from-Arsenal-training-ground.html |title=David Beckham and son Brooklyn 'shaken' after car crash following Arsenal training session |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |accessdate=29 November 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129214201/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/11262771/David-Beckham-in-car-crash-after-picking-up-son-Brooklyn-from-Arsenal-training-ground.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Brooklyn played football for [[Arsenal F.C. Academy|Arsenal U16]],<ref name="Brooklyn"/> through the end of the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://au.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2012-2013/brooklyn-beckham-set-to-be-released-by-arsenal-already_sto4614963/story.shtml |title=Brooklyn Beckham set to be released by Arsenal already |work=Eurosport |accessdate=14 November 2015 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108152952/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Like their father, Brooklyn and Romeo have both done modelling work and been named among ''[[GQ]]'''s best dressed British men.<ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk">{{cite news|title=50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015 |url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2015-01/05/best-dressed-men-2015/ |work=GQ |date=5 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107145128/http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2015-01/05/best-dressed-men-2015 |archive-date=7 January 2015 }}</ref> In his early Manchester United career, Beckham lived in a four-bedroom house in [[Worsley]] that he bought directly from the property developer as a 20-year-old in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nicola |last=Bartlett |title=Beckham's first home up for sale |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/david-beckhams-first-home-worsley-6787948 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=18 June 2015 |archive-date=18 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618214608/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/david-beckhams-first-home-worsley-6787948 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, shortly after his wedding, he and Victoria bought a country house set in {{convert|24|acre|ha|0|abbr=off}} in [[Sawbridgeworth]], Hertfordshire, which the media nicknamed "[[Beckingham Palace]]".<ref name="beckingham">{{Cite news|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article236166.ece |title=Beckingham Palace, our lovely home |work=The Independent |date=31 July 2001 |access-date=3 September 2018 |location=London |first=Julia |last=Stuart |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228201150/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article236166.ece |archive-date=28 December 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-beckingham-palace-david-victorias-3247500 |title=Inside 'Beckingham Palace': David and Victoria's mansion bought by insurance tycoon for £11.3million |newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]] |location=UK |first=Patrick |last=Hill |date=15 March 2014 |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=5 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052032/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-beckingham-palace-david-victorias-3247500 |url-status=live }}</ref> They sold the property in 2014.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/insurance/11515118/Neil-Utleys-stake-in-Hastings-Direct-to-be-valued-at-200m-in-upcoming-IPO.html | title=Neil Utley's stake in Hastings Direct to be valued at £200m in upcoming IPO | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | location=UK | first=Ashley | last=Armstrong | date=4 April 2015 | access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref>

Known by the nickname "Golden Balls",<ref>{{cite news|last=Smout|first=Alistair|title=Beckileaks' email furor puts brand Beckham on the back foot|date=6 February 2017|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-beckham/beckileaks-email-furor-puts-brand-beckham-on-the-back-foot-idUSKBN15L1KX|access-date=8 July 2019|quote=Known by the nickname 'Golden Balls', the east-London born midfielder shot to fame with Manchester United thanks to his expert free-kick taking and crossing ability.|archive-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708080734/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-beckham/beckileaks-email-furor-puts-brand-beckham-on-the-back-foot-idUSKBN15L1KX|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=paterniti>{{cite news|last=Paterniti|title=David Beckham on Retirement, Family Life, and Protecting His Kids|date=17 March 2016|work=GQ|url=https://www.gq.com/story/david-beckham-cover-protecting-kids-brooklyn|access-date=8 July 2019|quote=That's the way it's always been with Posh and Golden Balls, as the British press is fond of calling Beckham, after Victoria revealed the nickname in a long-ago interview.|archive-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708080738/https://www.gq.com/story/david-beckham-cover-protecting-kids-brooklyn|url-status=live}}</ref> Beckham acquired the name from Victoria, who revealed it on national TV in 2008 while praising him for rebuilding his reputation after the 1998 World Cup.<ref name=paterniti/><ref>{{cite news|last=Hewett|first=Emily|title=Victoria Beckham at her finest: Why is David Beckham affectionately known as Golden Balls?|date=22 March 2014|work=Metro|url=https://metro.co.uk/2014/03/22/victoria-beckham-at-her-finest-why-is-david-beckham-affectionately-known-as-golden-balls-4673059/|access-date=8 July 2019|quote=Praising her hubby on how he'd managed to turn his reputation around following the 1998 World Cup, which saw him forfeit England's chances after he was sent off for kicking an Argentinian footballer, she added: 'I call him Golden Balls now.'|archive-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708080736/https://metro.co.uk/2014/03/22/victoria-beckham-at-her-finest-why-is-david-beckham-affectionately-known-as-golden-balls-4673059/|url-status=live}}</ref> Beckham has [[obsessive compulsive disorder]] (OCD), which he says makes him "have everything in a straight line or everything has to be in pairs." Victoria claimed: "If you open our fridge, it's all co-ordinated down either side. We've got three fridges – food in one, salad in another and drinks in the third. In the drinks one, everything is symmetrical. If there's three cans, he'll throw one away because it has to be an even number."<ref name="OCD">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/beckham-reveals-his-battle-with-obsessive-disorder-472573.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605122351/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/beckham-reveals-his-battle-with-obsessive-disorder-472573.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 June 2008 |title=Beckham reveals his battle with obsessive disorder |access-date=28 August 2012 |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Maxine |last=Frith |date=3 April 2006}}</ref> A staunch [[Monarchism|monarchist]], Beckham [[Queue for the lying-in-state of Elizabeth II|queued for 12 hours]] in September 2022 to see [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II#Lying-in-state|Queen Elizabeth II lying in state]] at [[Westminster Hall]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=David Beckham on his wait to see the Queen lying in state |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-62927306 |access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916141030/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-62927306 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sansome |first=Jessica |date=16 September 2022 |title=David Beckham dons flat cap and suit as he queues for Queen lying in state |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/david-beckham-dons-flat-cap-25037458 |access-date=16 September 2022 |website=Manchester Evening News |archive-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916142251/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/david-beckham-dons-flat-cap-25037458 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!--[[Sarah Marbeck redirect points to this section]]-->
In 2004, various newspapers carried claims by Beckham's former personal assistant [[Rebecca Loos]] that she and Beckham had engaged in an extramarital affair.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3614993.stm |title=Beckham story is tabloids' dream |work=BBC News |date=9 April 2004 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=22 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422151445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3614993.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1-1066358,00.html |title=Beckham flies back to Madrid from holiday |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=7 April 2004 |access-date=4 May 2009 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108152955/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/15/pressandpublishing.football | title=Beckham assistant ready to take affair claim to court | newspaper=The Guardian | date=15 April 2004 | last1=Kelso | first1=Paul }}</ref> A week later, the Malaysian-born Australian model Sarah Marbeck claimed that she had slept with Beckham on two occasions. Beckham dismissed both claims as "ludicrous".<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham to stay in Spain |work=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3733607.stm |access-date=7 October 2005 |archive-date=25 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325202240/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3733607.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> A documentary called ''[[Beckham (TV series)|Beckham]]'' was released in 2023 on Netflix, 20 years after the alleged affair with Rebecca Loos took place. In it, Beckham did not deny the affair took place; instead, he stated how hard that general period was on his marriage.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/27/digested-week-rebecca-loos-can-hold-her-peace-no-longer | title=Digested week: Rebecca Loos can hold her peace no longer | newspaper=The Guardian | date=27 October 2023 | last1=Brockes | first1=Emma }}</ref>

David Beckham has been actively involved in [[beekeeping]], [[animal husbandry]] and [[Agriculture|farming]] since 2020 in the [[barn]] they bought in the [[Cotswolds]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/552940/david-beckham-incredible-garden-cotswolds-home-veg-patch/|title=David Beckham's incredible garden at £12m Cotswolds home is a feast for the eyes|date=14 May 2024|website=HELLO!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/victoria-beckham-jokes-give-me-my-husband-back-as-david-farms-8708204|title=Victoria Beckham Jokes 'Give Me My Husband Back' as David Goes into Farmer Mode with Chickens and Vegetables|website=People.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4116733/david-beckham-poses-farming-stars-visit-jeremy-clarksons-diddly-squat-farm|title=David Beckham poses with farming stars on visit to Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm |date=30 May 2023|work=Farmers Guardian}}</ref>

===Legal issues===
In September 2010, Beckham announced that he was making a court application against prostitute Irma Nici and several others over claims in the magazine ''[[In Touch Weekly|In Touch]]'' that he had sex with her.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/david-beckhams-lawyers-serve-25-million-writ-on-prostitute-irma-nici/story-e6frewyr-1225929589722 |title=David Beckham's lawyers serve $25 million writ on prostitute Irma Nici |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=26 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926032240/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/david-beckhams-lawyers-serve-25-million-writ-on-prostitute-irma-nici/story-e6frewyr-1225929589722 |url-status=live }}</ref> His court application was dismissed under US freedom of speech laws, and the magazine later accepted that the allegations against Beckham were untrue.<ref>{{cite news|title=David Beckham loses In Touch, Irma Nici lawsuit: Judge says cheating story is of public interest|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/david-beckham-loses-touch-irma-nici-lawsuit-judge-cheating-story-public-interest-article-1.133622|date=14 February 2011|access-date=11 January 2016|archive-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222140659/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/david-beckham-loses-touch-irma-nici-lawsuit-judge-cheating-story-public-interest-article-1.133622|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=David Beckham loses appeal to sue magazine over prostitute Irma Nici's false claims|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/david-beckham-loses-appeal-to-sue-magazine-over-prostitute-irma-nicis-false-claims/story-e6frfmqi-1226599012614|date=17 March 2013|work=news.com.au|access-date=11 January 2016|archive-date=7 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207200855/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/david-beckham-loses-appeal-to-sue-magazine-over-prostitute-irma-nicis-false-claims/story-e6frfmqi-1226599012614|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 9 May 2019, at Bromley Magistrates Court, Beckham was banned from driving for six months. He previously pleaded guilty to using a mobile phone while driving on 21 November 2018. The court heard he was photographed by a member of the public holding a phone as he drove in "slowly moving" traffic. Beckham received six points on his licence, to add to the six he already had for previous speeding matters. He was also fined £750, and ordered to pay £100 in prosecution costs and a £75 surcharge fee.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48213106 |title=Beckham banned for using phone in Bentley |work=BBC News |date=9 May 2019 |access-date=9 May 2019 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509154837/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48213106 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Tattoos===
{{as of|2021}}, Beckham has more than 65 [[tattoo]]s covering a large part of his body, including tattoos on his hands, neck and head.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Guide to David Beckham's 60 Plus Tattoos |url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a36339426/david-beckham-tattoos/ |work=menshealth.com |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214641/https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a36339426/david-beckham-tattoos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There are names of his sons Romeo, Cruz and Brooklyn, and of his wife Victoria. His wife's name, tattooed on his left forearm, is in the [[Devanagari]] script (used for the Hindi and Sanskrit languages, among others) because Beckham thought it would be "tacky" to have it in English. However, this was misspelt as the equivalent of "Vhictoria".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1044797.stm |title=Beckham's tattoo misspelt |work=BBC News |date=28 November 2000 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815033644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1044797.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In his autobiography ''David Beckham: My Side'', he said that the idea of having tattoos came to him in 1999 after his son Brooklyn was born, following a conversation on the subject of tattoos with [[Mel B]] and her then-husband, Jimmy Gulzar. Beckham said: "When you see me, you see the tattoos. You see an expression of how I feel about Victoria and the boys. They're part of me."<ref>Beckham, David (2010). "David Beckham: My Side". HarperCollins</ref>

He has several tattoos that pay tribute to his daughter, Harper, as well as several with religious significance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/david-beckhams-tattoos-explained-every-12761443|title=Every David Beckham tattoo explained – from Victoria's to the mistake|last=Jenkins|first=John|date=22 June 2018|website=Daily Mirror|access-date=30 March 2020|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611000529/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/david-beckhams-tattoos-explained-every-12761443|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Beckham added to his collection a tattoo of a solar system covering the left side of his scalp.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Gavin |title=Hooked on ink: is it possible to be 'addicted' to tattoos? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/shortcuts/2018/may/01/addicted-to-tattoos-david-beckham-body-art |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121926/https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/shortcuts/2018/may/01/addicted-to-tattoos-david-beckham-body-art |url-status=live }}</ref> Many of Beckham's tattoos were completed by the Manchester-based tattoo artist [[Louis Molloy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/david-beckham-tattoo-artist-says-he-feels-no-pain-2018-10|title=David Beckham 'feels absolutely no pain,' according to his tattoo artist|last=Murray|first=Tom|website=Insider|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>

===Leaked emails===

In 2015, a Portuguese company associated with Beckham's spokesman had their server hacked which contained personal emails from Beckham. Germany's ''Der Spiegel'' and France's ''L'Equipe'' published details of the hack, reporting how Beckham was angry at not being granted a knighthood in 2013, and that the [[Honours Committee]] was concerned about his tax affairs due to input from UK government department [[HM_Revenue_and_Customs|HMRC]]. Beckham's team stated some of the published emails were doctored, but they confirmed others as genuine.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/06/hacked-david-beckham-emails-renders-injunction-worthless | title=Publication of hacked David Beckham emails renders injunction worthless | newspaper=The Guardian | date=6 February 2017 | last1=Booth | first1=Robert | last2=Grierson | first2=Jamie }}</ref>

==Celebrity status and commercial partnerships ==
[[File:David Beckham 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham in [[Cape Town]], South Africa, in 2009]]
Beckham's relationship and marriage to Victoria, famous in her own right as part of the [[Spice Girls]], contributed to his celebrityhood beyond football. Beckham became known as a fashion icon, and together with Victoria, the couple became lucrative spokespeople sought after by clothing designers, health and fitness specialists, fashion magazines, and perfume and cosmetics manufacturers. Early endorsements included the British hair styling brand [[Brylcreem]] for £4&nbsp;million in 1997, which saw him appear in UK commercials.<ref name="Acting">{{cite news |title=David Beckham: a history in ads |url=https://www.marketingweek.com/david-beckham-a-history-in-ads/ |access-date=10 July 2021 |magazine=Marketing Week |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711120814/https://www.marketingweek.com/david-beckham-a-history-in-ads/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002 he was hailed as the ultimate "[[metrosexual]]" by the man who invented the term<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/feature/2002/07/22/metrosexual/print.html |title=Meet the metrosexual |work=Salon |access-date=13 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113123551/http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/feature/2002/07/22/metrosexual/print.html |archive-date=13 November 2008 }}</ref> and has been described as such by numerous other articles since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marksimpson.com/blog/2007/07/13/america-meet-david-beckham/ |title=America – meet David Beckham |publisher=Marksimpson.com |access-date=13 November 2008|date=13 July 2007 }}</ref> The various iconic hairstyles he sported throughout his career –&nbsp;including a [[buzz cut]], a [[Mohawk hairstyle|Mohawk]], and a [[ponytail]] – were widely covered in the media.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2013/may/17/david-beckham-hairstyles-pictures |title=David Beckham: a career in hairstyles – in pictures |work=The Guardian |last1=Hogan |first1=Michael |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=4 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-get-every-david-beckham-haircut |title=How to Get Every David Beckham Haircut |work=GQ |last1=Kilbane |first1=Brennan |date=23 August 2018 |access-date=4 April 2020 }}</ref>

While heterosexual, Beckham actively courted a gay fanbase and openly supported [[gay media]], preferring to give interviews to publications that supported the [[LGBTQ community]]. He came to be called a "[[gay icon]]" – a term he embraces – for his popularity among the gay community.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=James |date=17 May 2013 |title=Beckham: The man who broke football's gay taboo? |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/sport/football/football-david-beckham-gay-icon-fashion/index.html |access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> This honorific has been in dispute, however, since Beckham signed a deal with [[Qatar]] (which [[LGBT rights in Qatar|persecutes LGBT people]]) to become a brand ambassador for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2022 |title='A gay icon no more': will David Beckham's Qatar role kill his brand? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/18/will-david-beckham-qatar-role-kill-his-brand-world-cup |access-date=19 November 2022 |work=The Guardian }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2022 |title='A gay icon no more': will David Beckham's Qatar role kill his brand? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/18/will-david-beckham-qatar-role-kill-his-brand-world-cup |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=The Guardian }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Sammy |last1=Mngqosini |first2=Zayn |last2=Nabbi |date=14 November 2022 |title=David Beckham's 'status as a gay icon will be shredded' if he continues as Qatar World Cup ambassador says British comedian |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/14/football/david-beckham-qatar-world-cup-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=20 November 2022 |website=CNN }}</ref> In a statement, Beckham said that the World Cup will be "[a platform for] progress, inclusivity and tolerance".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Jeremy |date=18 November 2022 |title=David Beckham breaks silence on £150m Qatar ambassador role as criticism grows |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-beckham-qatar-world-cup-28525203 |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=The Mirror }}</ref>

The Beckhams were paid {{USD|13.7 million}} in 2007 to launch his fragrance line in the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/419662/david-beckham-s-incredible-soccer-career-by-the-numbers|title=David Beckham's career by the numbers|date=16 May 2013|publisher=E!|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> In the world of fashion, David has appeared on the covers of many magazines. US covers have included the men's magazine ''[[Details (magazine)|Details]]'', and with Victoria for the August 2007 issue of ''[[W (magazine)|W]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Beckhams: American Idols: W Feature Story on Style.com |url=http://www.style.com/w/feat_story/071107|publisher=Style.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718213746/http://www.style.com/w/feat_story/071107|archive-date=18 July 2008}}</ref> According to Google, "David Beckham" was searched for more than any other sports topic on their site in 2003 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=2003 Year-End Google Zeitgeist |url=https://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2003.html |access-date=9 October 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Year-End Google Zeitgeist |url=https://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2004.html |access-date=9 October 2005 }}</ref> According to [[Ask Jeeves]], Beckham ranked third among subjects most searched for by British users of that site in the first decade of the 2000s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Britney Spears tops Noughties web search list |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6858806/Britney-Spears-tops-Noughties-web-search-list.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6858806/Britney-Spears-tops-Noughties-web-search-list.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Telegraph |date=21 December 2009 |access-date=17 May 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[File:Michelle Obama with David Beckham 2012.jpg|thumb|left|Beckham with United States First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] at the White House, 15 March 2012]]
Upon their arrival in Los Angeles on 12 July 2007, the night before Beckham's formal introduction, [[Los Angeles International Airport]] was filled with paparazzi and news reporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/the-beckhams-go-to-hollywood-1-909020/|title=The Beckhams go to Hollywood|website=The Scotsman}}</ref> On the next night, Victoria appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'' with [[Jay Leno]] to talk about their move to LA and her [[NBC]] TV show ''[[Victoria Beckham: Coming to America]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBC.com – Victoria Beckham Coming To America |url=http://www.nbc.com/Victoria_Beckham/|publisher=NBC.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714101927/http://www.nbc.com/Victoria_Beckham/|archive-date=14 July 2007}}</ref> On 22 July, a private welcoming party was held for the couple at the [[Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles]]. [[A-list]] celebrities attending included [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Jim Carrey]], [[George Clooney]], [[Tom Cruise]], [[Katie Holmes]], [[Will Smith]], [[Jada Pinkett Smith]], and [[Oprah Winfrey]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Eller |first=Claudia |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-beckham19jul19,1,1699340.story |title=Hollywood breathlessly awaits Beckhams |work=Los Angeles Times |date=19 July 2007 |access-date=4 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403003158/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-beckham19jul19%2C1%2C1699340.story?track=rss |archive-date=3 April 2009 }}</ref>

Beckham's many endorsement deals make him one of the most recognisable athletes throughout the world. Having worn [[Adidas]] football boots from the start of his career (notably [[Adidas Predator]]), in 2003 he signed a {{USD|160&nbsp;million}} lifetime contract with Adidas, earning nearly half the money upfront, and would continue to earn percentages of profits on all of his branded Adidas products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/the-face-of-ten-celebrities-who-have-earned-big-bucks-from-endorsements-29958509.html|title=The face of&nbsp;... Ten celebrities who have earned big bucks from endorsements|work=The Irish Independent|date=28 January 2014 |access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> His 2004 Adidas television commercial "Kicking it", in which he appears with England Rugby World Cup winner [[Jonny Wilkinson]], was voted among the best British commercials of the year, and featured as one of the Great Ads of the 21st Century in Channel 4's 2004 update of [[The 100 Greatest TV Ads]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Adidas 'Kicking it' ad sails into top 50 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/17/newmedia.advertising |access-date=2 November 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The 100 Greatest TV Ads |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj14p4nulUw |access-date=2 November 2022 |publisher=Channel 4 |date=29 August 2004}}</ref> He had a 10-year collaboration with [[PepsiCo]] that expired in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pepsi-looking-for-economies-splits-with-the-expensive-david-beckham/|title=Pepsi, Looking for Economies, Splits With the Expensive David Beckham|date=3 January 2009|work=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> He has also promoted [[The Walt Disney Company]] theme parks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-beckham-endorsing-disney/|title=David Beckham Endorsing Disney|website=[[CBS News]]|date=26 January 2007|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> In April 2021, he became a global ambassador for [[Maserati]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maserati and David Beckham: Global Ambassador {{!}} Maserati|url=https://www.maserati.com/international/en/news/maserati-and-david-beckham#:~:text=David%20Beckham%20said:%20%E2%80%9CIt%27s%20an,very%20best%20innovation%20and%20design.&text=The%20movie%20sees%20the%20Maserati,performance%20SUV%20-%20the%20Levante%20Trofeo.|access-date=18 September 2021|website=www.maserati.com|archive-date=6 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406220652/https://www.maserati.com/international/en/news/maserati-and-david-beckham#:~:text=David%20Beckham%20said:%20%E2%80%9CIt%27s%20an,very%20best%20innovation%20and%20design.&text=The%20movie%20sees%20the%20Maserati,performance%20SUV%20-%20the%20Levante%20Trofeo.|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Maserati et David Beckham inaugurent la collection Fuoriserie Essentials |url=https://www.motorlegend.com/actualite-automobile/maserati-et-david-beckham-inaugurent-la-collection-fuoriserie-essentials/25336.html |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Motor Legend}}</ref> In 2023, as part of Maserati's new personalisation program, "Fuoriserie Essentials", the brand unveiled its first collection with Beckham.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maserati dévoile sa première collection automobile avec David Beckham |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/luxe/lifestyle/maserati-devoile-sa-premiere-collection-automobile-avec-david-beckham_GN-202306160408.html |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=BFM TV|date=16 June 2023 }}</ref><ref name=":1" />

Beckham has several eponymous video games, including ''[[Go! Go! Beckham! Adventure on Soccer Island]]'', a [[platform game]] for the [[Game Boy Advance]], and ''[[David Beckham Soccer]]'', a football game for a number of [[Video game platforms#Platforms|platforms]],<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |title=Go!Go! Beckham! Adventure on Soccer Island Review |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_gogobeckham_gba |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=12 September 2002 |access-date=8 June 2009 }}</ref><ref name="beckhamxbox">{{cite web|title=David Beckham Soccer Review |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |date=14 August 2002 |website=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/davidbeckhamsoccer/review.html |access-date=8 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828060405/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/davidbeckhamsoccer/review.html |archive-date=28 August 2009 }}</ref> and he was brand ambassador for exercise video game ''[[EA Sports Active 2]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=EA lands Beckham for brand ambassador role |url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1023006/ea-lands-beckham-brand-ambassador-role |first=John |last=Reynolds |work=Marketing |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=17 May 2014}}</ref> Beckham featured in [[EA Sports]]' [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]]; he was on the cover for the UK edition of ''[[FIFA: Road to World Cup 98|FIFA 98]]''. During his playing career (which ended in May 2013), Beckham generated an estimated £1&nbsp;billion in [[Kit (association football)#Basic equipment|shirt]] and [[football boot|boot]] sales.<ref name="honours"/> In 2006, [[Lloyd's of London]] insured his legs for £100m.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grant|first1=Katie|last2=Papasian|first2=John|title=Premium cover|work=[[i (British newspaper)|The i]]|issue=1435|date=2 July 2015|page=2|editor-last=Duff|editor-first=Oliver|editor-link=Oliver Duff (British editor)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lloyds.com/lloyds/about-us/history/innovation-and-unusual-risks/going-out-on-a-limb|title=GOING OUT ON A LIMB – BODY PARTS AND OTHERS|access-date=3 July 2015|website=Lloyd's.com|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704193008/https://www.lloyds.com/lloyds/about-us/history/innovation-and-unusual-risks/going-out-on-a-limb|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Vinfast-D.Beckham-Miss Vietnam.jpg|thumb|Beckham with Miss Vietnam [[Trần Tiểu Vy]] at the Paris Motor Show 2018]]
Beckham played a critical part in bringing the Olympics to London in 2012, travelling with the British delegation to [[Singapore]] in 2005 for the host city selection.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/10063146/David-Beckham-retires-key-role-in-London-2012-Olympic-bid-is-praised-by-Lord-Coe.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/david-beckham/10063146/David-Beckham-retires-key-role-in-London-2012-Olympic-bid-is-praised-by-Lord-Coe.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=David Beckham retires: key role in London 2012 Olympic bid is praised by Lord Coe|last=Hart|first=Simon|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 May 2013|access-date=7 September 2018|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the [[2008 Beijing Olympics]] closing ceremony, Beckham, [[Jimmy Page]], and [[Leona Lewis]] represented Britain during the handover segment for the 2012 Olympics. Beckham rode a [[AEC Routemaster|London double-decker bus]] into the stadium and Page and Lewis performed "[[Whole Lotta Love]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2303411/London-rap-troupe-fly-flag-at-Beijing-Olympics.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2303411/London-rap-troupe-fly-flag-at-Beijing-Olympics.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=London rap troupe fly flag at Beijing Olympics |first=Tom |last=Knight |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=17 June 2008 |location=London |issn=0307-1235 |oclc=49632006 |access-date=5 December 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He featured at the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony]], carrying the [[Olympic flame]] to the [[London Stadium|stadium]] by speedboat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/19016797|title=David Beckham 'proud' of Olympics 2012 role|date=28 July 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref>

Beckham visited Afghanistan in May 2010 for a morale-boosting visit to British troops fighting the [[Taliban insurgency]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.gaeatimes.com/2010/05/22/beckham-flies-to-afghanistan-to-boost-british-troops-morale-104019/ |title=Beckham flies to Afghanistan to boost British troops' morale |publisher=Sports.gaeatimes.com |date=22 May 2010 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723071831/http://sports.gaeatimes.com/2010/05/22/beckham-flies-to-afghanistan-to-boost-british-troops-morale-104019/ |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.gaeatimes.com/2010/05/23/beckham-visits-british-troops-in-afghanistan-104343/ |title=Beckham visits British troops in Afghanistan |publisher=Sports.gaeatimes.com |date=23 May 2010 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723071836/http://sports.gaeatimes.com/2010/05/23/beckham-visits-british-troops-in-afghanistan-104343/ |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The appearance of Beckham as well as British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] and Defence Secretary [[Liam Fox]] was believed to have prompted a [[Taliban]] attack on [[Kandahar]] airfield.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.rediff.com/report/2010/may/24/beckham-targetted-by-taliban-in-afghanistan.htm |title=Beckham targetted by Taliban in Afghanistan? |work=Rediff.com |date=24 May 2010 |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Anoop |last=Kumar |publisher=MyNews Interactive Media Co. |url=http://www.mynews.in/News/Taliban_targeted_Beckham_in_Afghanistan!_N57377.html |title=Taliban targeted Beckham in Afghanistan! |date=24 May 2010 |access-date=10 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301205044/http://www.mynews.in/News/Taliban_targeted_Beckham_in_Afghanistan%21_N57377.html |archive-date=1 March 2012 }}</ref>

Chinese authorities appointed Beckham as global ambassador for Chinese football in March 2013. After numerous officials had been banned for match-fixing, and the [[Chinese Super League]] had failed to retain the services of well-known international names, Beckham's role was to help improve the image of the game and raise its profile both in China and abroad.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-beckham-named-as-global-ambassador-for-chinese-football-8518912.html |title=David Beckham named as global ambassador for Chinese football |agency=Reuters |newspaper=The Independent |date=4 March 2013 |access-date=17 May 2014}}</ref>

From 14 July 2013, Beckham appeared in adverts for [[BSkyB]], advertising their [[Sky Sports]] coverage via the [[Sky Go]] app.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a498247/david-beckham-stars-in-sky-sports-tv-advert-video.html |title=David Beckham stars in Sky Sports TV advert – video – Showbiz News |website=Digital Spy |date=14 July 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013}}</ref> In January 2014, Beckham appeared on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' on NBC in the U.S., and in March he made a guest appearance in the BBC's [[Sport Relief 2014 Special|Sport Relief special]] of ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/sport-relief-2014-david-beckham-makes-acting-debut-only-fools-and-horses-debut-beckham-in-peckham-9208768.html|title=Sport Relief 2014: Watch David Beckham in Peckham in Only Fools and Horses special|work=The Independent|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> He was named one of ''[[GQ]]''{{'}}s 50 best dressed British men in 2015.<ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk"/>

In March 2015, Beckham had the third highest social media rank in the world among sportspeople, behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] and [[Lionel Messi]], with over 52 million Facebook fans.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Shakira as Facebook's most 'liked' person|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cristiano-ronaldo-overtakes-shakira-as-facebook-s-most--liked-person-085815659-soccer.html|publisher=Yahoo!|date=10 February 2017}}</ref> He also has [[List of most-followed Instagram accounts|over 80 million Instagram followers]], the fifth highest for a footballer, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, [[Neymar]] and [[Kylian Mbappé]], and the second most for a person from the UK, after [[Dua Lipa]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.trackalytics.com/the-most-followed-instagram-profiles/page/1/| title=The Most Followed Instagram Profiles|website=Trackalytics.com|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201130332/https://www.trackalytics.com/the-most-followed-instagram-profiles/page/1/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://socialblade.com/instagram/top/100/followers|title=Top 100 Instagram Users by Followers- Socialblade Instagram Stats – Instagram Statistics|work=Socialblade|access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref>

During the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 EU referendum]], Beckham voiced his opposition to [[Brexit]], stating: "For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone. For these reasons, I am voting to remain."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/as-our-alternative-monarch-surely-david-beckham-backing-remain-will-spark-a-constitutional-crisis-a7093791.html|title=Why David Beckham backing Remain could spark a constitutional crisis|work=The Independent|date=21 June 2016|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> Beckham was announced as the new Ambassadorial president of the [[British Fashion Council]] on 11 May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/david-beckham-appointed-ambassadorial-president-of-british-fashion-council-11367312|title=David Beckham appointed Ambassadorial President of British Fashion Council|publisher=Sky News|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> Prior to the June 2018 vote by FIFA member nations for selecting the hosts of the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]], Beckham endorsed the [[United 2026 FIFA World Cup bid|North American bid]] (Canada, Mexico and the United States).<ref>{{cite news |title=David Beckham: 2026 World Cup in North America would be 'very special. |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-fifa/story/3518083/david-beckham-2026-world-cup-in-north-america-would-be-very-special |publisher=ESPN |date=13 June 2018}}</ref>

[[File:MAL131 David Beckham 40 x 30 mm. Artysta malarz Paweł Brodzisz olej - alkid na płótnie 2025. Eksponat Muzeum Miniaturowej Sztuki Profesjonalnej Henryk Jan Dominiak w Tychach.jpg|thumb|Portrait of David Beckham, a 2025 [[portrait miniature|miniature]] [[painting]] by [[Paweł Brodzisz]]. It is an oil and alkyd on [[canvas]] painting, measuring 40 × 35 mm. It is currently on exhibit at the [[Muzeum Miniaturowej Sztuki Profesjonalnej Henryk Jan Dominiak in Tychy]].<ref>{{cite web| url =https://muzeumminiaturowejsztukiprofesjonalnejhenrykjandominiak.eu/wp/mal131-david-beckham/ |language = pl |title=''MAL131 David Beckham'' | access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref>]]
Beckham's former club [[LA Galaxy]] unveiled a statue of him outside of their stadium in March 2019, the first of its kind in the [[Major League Soccer|MLS]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47432089|title=David Beckham: LA Galaxy unveil statue before MLS season opener|date=3 March 2019|access-date=5 March 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, Beckham became a minority owner of the London-based [[esports]] organisation [[Guild Esports]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Seck |first1=Tobias |title=David Beckham Co-Owned Guild Esports Launches, Seeks $31M Investment |url=https://esportsobserver.com/david-beckham-guild-esports/ |access-date=3 April 2021 |work=The Esports Observer |date=25 June 2020}}</ref> In November 2020, [[EA Sports]] had an agreement with Beckham to feature him in ''[[FIFA 21]]'', in which he would earn £40m from a three-year deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/11/22/football/1606065097_228953.html?omnil=resrelrecom |title=Beckham will earn more from FIFA 2021 than he did at Man Utd and PSG |website=as.com |date=22 November 2020 |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414030332/https://en.as.com/en/2020/11/22/football/1606065097_228953.html?omnil=resrelrecom |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2021, Beckham bought 10% stake of vehicle [[electrification]] firm, Lunaz.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/03/david-beckham-buys-stakes-in-vehicle-electrification-firm |title=David Beckham buys stake in vehicle electrification firm |website=The Guardian |date=3 June 2021 }}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
In 2013, he donated all his £3.4 million salary from [[Paris Saint-Germain]] to two children's charities in France.<ref>{{cite web|title=David Beckham|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/david-beckham-finally-agrees-deal-to-donate-34m-psg-wages-to-french-childrens-charities-8659789.html|website=The Independent|publisher=Independent|date=14 June 2013}}</ref>

[[File:"Golden Paws" Paddington Bear, Green Park - geograph.org.uk - 4262168.jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham's England national football team-themed [[Paddington Bear]] statue – "Golden Paws" – in London, auctioned to raise funds for the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children|NSPCC]]]]
Beckham is a founding member of the [[Malaria No More UK]] Leadership Council and helped launch the charity in 2009 with [[Andy Murray]] at Wembley Stadium.<ref>"David Beckham: Fight Malaria by Donating a $10 Bed Net". (25 April 2007). Retrieved 4 May 2009</ref> In November 2014, Beckham designed a [[Paddington Bear]] statue, one of fifty created by various celebrities which were located around London prior to the release of the film ''[[Paddington (film)|Paddington]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Paddington Bear Statues Have Taken Over London |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-11-24/paddington-bear-statues-taken-over-london-david-beckham-benedict-cumberbatch |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=Condé Nast}}</ref> The statues were auctioned to raise funds for the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Shaunna |title=Emma Watson Designed A Paddington Bear For Charity And It's Freaking Adorable |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1984950/emma-watson-paddington-bear/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107012511/http://www.mtv.com/news/1984950/emma-watson-paddington-bear/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 November 2014 |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=9 June 2022 |publisher=MTV}}</ref>

==Appearances in films==
{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="We may be a small country, but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that."|source=—[[Hugh Grant]]'s character in the 2003 film ''[[Love Actually]]''.<ref name="Quote">{{cite news |title=David Beckham in 40 quotes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11573971/David-Beckham-in-40-quotes.html |work=The Telegraph|date=6 September 2018}}</ref>}} Beckham never personally appeared in the 2002 film ''[[Bend It Like Beckham]]'', except in archive footage. He and his wife wanted to make cameo appearances, but scheduling proved difficult, so the director used lookalike [[Andy Harmer]] instead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1363107.posh_and_becks_lookalikes_try_their_luck_in_la/|title=Posh and Becks look-alikes try their luck in LA|first=Rachel|last=Fitch|work=The Argus|date=30 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/mar/03/worldcupfootball2002.deniscampbell |title=There's only two David Beckhams|first=Denis|last=Campbell|newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 March 2002}}</ref> Beckham makes a cameo appearance with [[Zinedine Zidane]] and [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]], in the 2005 film ''[[Goal! (film)|Goal!]]''. Harmer doubled for him in the party scene.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andy Harmer ~ BeckhamLookalike.com|url=http://www.beckhamlookalike.com/clients.htm|work=BeckhamLookalike.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501102202/http://www.beckhamlookalike.com/clients.htm|archive-date=1 May 2007}}</ref> Beckham himself appears in the sequel, ''[[Goal II: Living the Dream]]'', in a larger role, when the film's lead character gets transferred to Real Madrid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473360/ |title=Goal! 2: Living the Dream&nbsp;... |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> The story centres on the Real Madrid team, with other Madrid players also appearing on and off the pitch, alongside the fictional characters. Through the use of stock footage from the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Beckham appeared in ''[[Goal III: Taking on the World]]'', released [[Direct-to-video|straight to DVD]] on 15 June 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0065743/ |title=David Beckham |website=IMDb |access-date=13 November 2008}}</ref>

In 2013, British magazine ''[[Marketing Week]]'' wrote of his "somewhat limited acting skills".<ref name="Acting"/> Through his friendship with [[Guy Ritchie]], he has made two film cameo appearances: as a projectionist in ''[[The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (film)|The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Guy Ritchie Backs David Beckham As An Actor|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/07/guy-ritchie-backs-david-beckham-as-actor_n_7957734.html|work=HuffPost|date=24 May 2016}}</ref> and as Trigger in ''[[King Arthur: Legend of the Sword]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/david-beckham-king-arthur-charlie-hunnan_uk_5911bd1ae4b0d5d9049fe64b|title=David Beckham's Film Career Takes Another Step With First Clip Of Him In 'King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword'|work=HuffPost|date=9 May 2017}}</ref> Artist [[Sam Taylor-Johnson]] [[David (2004 film)|recorded Beckham sleeping]] in a hotel room in [[Madrid]] in January 2004 following a morning's training session with Real Madrid.<ref name=GuardApr04>{{cite news|last1=Higgins|first1=Charlotte|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/apr/27/arts.artsnews|title=Video portrait captures Beckham asleep|date=27 April 2004|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=8 November 2023}}</ref> The film was commissioned by the [[National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]] in London.<ref name=GuardApr04/>

== Filmography ==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Television
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2012
! scope="row" | ''[[Hell's Kitchen (American TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "10 Chefs Compete"
|-
| 2014
! scope="row" | "[[Beckham in Peckham]]"
| Himself
| ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' entry for ''[[Sport Relief 2014]]''<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=21 January 2014 |title=Beckham off to Peckham in Only Fools and Horses special |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/21/david-beckham-only-fools-and-horses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923155122/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/21/david-beckham-only-fools-and-horses |archive-date=23 September 2014 |access-date=6 April 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
|-
| 2020
!scope="row"|''[[Modern Family]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Prescott"<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/10/25/courteney-cox-david-beckham-guest-star-modern-family/|title=Final season of ''Modern Family'' will feature Courteney Cox and David Beckham in a hot tub|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=25 October 2019|accessdate=18 July 2024|first=Dan|last=Snierson}}</ref>
|-
| 2023
! scope="row" | ''[[Beckham (TV series)|Beckham]]''<ref>{{Cite news |title=Five things we learned from Beckham documentary |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66998098 |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref>
| Himself
| 4 episodes on Netflix<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Beckham |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81223488 |access-date=8 October 2023 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}}</ref> 
|}

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[Coppa Italia]], [[Coupe de France]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/beckham.html |title=David Beckham |publisher=Stretfordend.co.uk |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref>
|[[1992–93 Manchester United F.C. season|1992–93]]
|[[Premier League]]
|0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0
|-
|[[1993–94 Manchester United F.C. season|1993–94]]
|Premier League
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|[[1994–95 Manchester United F.C. season|1994–95]]
|Premier League
|4||0||2||0||3||0||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||0||0||10||1
|-
|[[1995–96 Manchester United F.C. season|1995–96]]
|Premier League
|33||7||3||1||2||0||2{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||40||8
|-
|[[1996–97 Manchester United F.C. season|1996–97]]
|Premier League
|36||8||2||1||0||0||10{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||1{{efn|name=FACS|Appearance in [[FA Charity Shield]]}}||1||49||12
|-
|[[1997–98 Manchester United F.C. season|1997–98]]
|Premier League
|37||9||4||2||0||0||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||0||50||11
|-
|[[1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season|1998–99]]
|Premier League
|34||6||7||1||1||0||12{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||0||55||9
|-
|[[1999–2000 Manchester United F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|Premier League
|31||6||colspan="2"|–||0||0||12{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||5{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one appearance in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]], three appearances in [[FIFA Club World Championship]]}}||0||48||8
|-
|[[2000–01 Manchester United F.C. season|2000–01]]
|Premier League
|31||9||2||0||0||0||12{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||0||46||9
|-
|[[2001–02 Manchester United F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|28||11||1||0||0||0||13{{efn|name=UCL}}||5||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||0||43||16
|-
|[[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03]]
|Premier League
|31||6||3||1||5||1||13{{efn|name=UCL}}||3||colspan="2"|–||52||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!265!!62!!24!!6!!12!!1!!83!!15!!10!!1!!394!!85
|-
|[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] (loan)
|[[1994–95 Football League|1994–95]]
|[[The Football League|Third Division]]
|5||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||5||2
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
|[[2003–04 Real Madrid CF season|2003–04]]
|[[La Liga]]
|32||3||5||2||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||2{{efn|Appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||1||46||7
|-
|[[2004–05 Real Madrid CF season|2004–05]]
|La Liga
|30||4||0||0||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||38||4
|-
|[[2005–06 Real Madrid CF season|2005–06]]
|La Liga
|31||3||6||1||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|–||44||5
|-
|[[2006–07 Real Madrid CF season|2006–07]]
|La Liga
|23||3||2||1||colspan="2"|–||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||31||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!116!!13!!13!!4!!colspan="2"|–!!28!!2!!2!!1!!159!!20
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[LA Galaxy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/david-beckham |title=David Beckham |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref>
|[[2007 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2007]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|5||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|Appearances in [[North American SuperLiga]]}}||1||7||1
|-
|[[2008 Major League Soccer season|2008]]
|Major League Soccer
|25||5||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||0||0||25||5
|-
|[[2009 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2009]]
|Major League Soccer
|11||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||4{{efn|name=MLS|Appearances in [[MLS Cup Playoffs]]}}||0||15||2
|-
|[[2010 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2010]]
|Major League Soccer
|7||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||3{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||10||2
|-
|[[2011 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2011]]
|Major League Soccer
|26||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||4{{efn|Appearance in [[CONCACAF Champions League]]}}||0||4{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||34||2
|-
|[[2012 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2012]]
|Major League Soccer
|24||7||0||0||colspan="2"|–||3{{efn|Appearance in [[CONCACAF Champions League]]}}||1||6{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||33||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!98!!18!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!7!!1!!19!!1!!124!!20
|-
|rowspan=3|[[AC Milan]] (loan)
|[[2008–09 AC Milan season|2008–09]]
|[[Serie A]]
|18||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|–||20||2
|-
|[[2009–10 AC Milan season|2009–10]]
|Serie A
|11||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||13||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!29!!2!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!4!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!33!!2
|-
|[[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
|[[2012–13 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2012–13]]
|[[Ligue 1]]
|10||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|–||14||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!523!!97!!39!!10!!12!!1!!124!!18!!31!!3!!729!!129
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|id=2189|name=David Beckham|access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/beckham-intl.html |title=David Robert Joseph Beckham – Century of International Appearances |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=29 October 2009 |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/8880/david-beckham?cc=5901 |title=David Beckham Bio, Stats, News – Football/Soccer – |website=ESPN Soccernet |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=28 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128143203/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/8880/David-Beckham?cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[England national football team|England]]
|1996||3||0
|-
|1997||9||0
|-
|1998||8||1
|-
|1999||7||0
|-
|2000||10||0
|-
|2001||10||5
|-
|2002||9||3
|-
|2003||9||4
|-
|2004||12||2
|-
|2005||9||1
|-
|2006||8||1
|-
|2007||5||0
|-
|2008||8||0
|-
|2009||8||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!115!!17
|}

:''Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Beckham goal''.<ref>{{Englandstats|ref=y|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=D.Beckham |url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/david-robert-joseph-beckham/182/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by David Beckham
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Cap
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
|align="center"| 1
| 26 June 1998 || [[Stade Bollaert-Delelis]], [[Lens, Pas-de-Calais|Lens]], France ||align="center"| 17 || {{fb|COL}} ||align="center"| 2–0 ||align="center"| 2–0 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| 24 March 2001 || [[Anfield]], [[Liverpool]], England ||align="center"| 39 || {{fb|FIN}} ||align="center"| 2–1 ||align="center"| 2–1 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 9|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align="center"| 3
| 25 May 2001 || [[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]], [[Derby]] England ||align="center"| 41 || {{fb|MEX}} ||align="center"| 3–0 ||align="center"| 4–0 || [[Exhibition match|Friendly]]
|-
|align="center"| 4
| 6 June 2001 || [[Olympic Stadium (Athens)|Olympic Stadium]], [[Athens]], Greece ||align="center"| 42 || {{fb|GRE}} ||align="center"| 2–0 ||align="center"| 2–0 ||2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|align="center"| 5
| 6 October 2001 || [[Old Trafford]], [[Manchester]], England ||align="center"| 46 || {{fb|GRE}} ||align="center"| 2–2 ||align="center"| 2–2 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|align="center"| 6
| 10 November 2001 || Old Trafford, Manchester, England ||align="center"| 47 || {{fb|SWE}} ||align="center"| 1–0 ||align="center"| 1–1 || Friendly
|-
|align="center"| 7
| 7 June 2002 || [[Sapporo Dome]], [[Sapporo]], Japan ||align="center"| 51 || {{fb|ARG}} ||align="center"| 1–0 ||align="center"| 1–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
|align="center"| 8
| 12 October 2002 || [[Tehelné pole]], [[Bratislava]], Slovakia ||align="center"| 55 || {{fb|SVK}} ||align="center"| 1–1 ||align="center"| 2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 7|UEFA Euro 2004 qualification]]
|-
|align="center"| 9
| 16 October 2002 || [[St Mary's Stadium]], [[Southampton]], England ||align="center"| 56 || {{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}} ||align="center"| 1–1 ||align="center"| 2–2 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|align="center"| 10
| 29 March 2003 || [[Rheinpark Stadion]], [[Vaduz]], Liechtenstein ||align="center"| 58 || {{fb|LIE}} ||align="center"| 2–0 ||align="center"| 2–0 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|align="center"| 11
| 2 April 2003 || [[Stadium of Light]], [[Sunderland]], England ||align="center"| 59 || {{fb|TUR}} ||align="center"| 2–0 ||align="center"| 2–0 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|align="center"| 12
| 20 August 2003 || [[Portman Road]], [[Ipswich]], England ||align="center"| 61 || {{fb|CRO}} ||align="center"| 1–0 ||align="center"| 3–1 || Friendly
|-
|align="center"| 13
| 6 September 2003 || [[Skopje City Stadium]], [[Skopje]], Macedonia ||align="center"| 62 || {{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}} ||align="center"| 2–1 ||align="center"| 2–1 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
|align="center"| 14
| 18 August 2004 || [[St James' Park]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], England ||align="center"| 73 || {{fb|UKR}} ||align="center"| 1–0 ||align="center"| 3–0 || Friendly
|-
|align="center"| 15
| 9 October 2004 || Old Trafford, Manchester, England ||align="center"| 76 || {{fb|WAL}} ||align="center"| 2–0 ||align="center"| 2–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align="center"| 16
| 30 March 2005 || St James' Park, Newcastle, England ||align="center"| 80 || {{fb|AZE}} ||align="center"| 2–0 ||align="center"| 2–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|align="center"| 17
| 25 June 2006 || [[Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion]], [[Stuttgart]], Germany ||align="center"| 93 || {{fb|ECU}} ||align="center"| 1–0 ||align="center"| 1–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]
|}

==Honours==
<!--Actual awards only; do not include runners-up.-->

'''Manchester United'''<ref name="honours">{{cite news|title=David Beckham: his club and international career in stats|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-stats-numbers|work=The Guardian|date=1 July 2015}}</ref>
*[[Premier League]]: [[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995–96]], [[1996–97 FA Premier League|1996–97]], [[1998–99 FA Premier League|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 FA Premier League|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 FA Premier League|2000–01]], [[2002–03 FA Premier League|2002–03]]<ref name="PremProfile">{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/331/David-Beckham/overview |title=David Beckham: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=27 September 2018}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[1995–96 FA Cup|1995–96]], [[1998–99 FA Cup|1998–99]]
*[[FA Community Shield|FA Charity Shield]]: [[1996 FA Charity Shield|1996]], [[1997 FA Charity Shield|1997]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League|1998–99]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1999 Intercontinental Cup|1999]]

'''Real Madrid'''<ref name="honours"/>
*[[La Liga]]: [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]]
*[[Supercopa de España]]: [[2003 Supercopa de España|2003]]

'''LA Galaxy'''<ref name="honours"/>
*[[MLS Cup]]: [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]], [[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]]
**[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference (regular season)]]: [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]], [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]], [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]]
**[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference (playoffs)]]: [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]], [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]], [[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]]<ref name="Career Statistics and honours">{{cite news|title=Career Statistics|url=https://genius.com/David-beckham-career-statistics-annotated|website=Genius.com|date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
*[[Supporters' Shield]]: [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]], [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]]

'''Paris Saint-Germain'''<ref name="honours"/>
*[[Ligue 1]]: [[2012–13 Ligue 1|2012–13]]

'''England'''<ref name="Tournoi de France"/>
*[[Tournoi de France]]: [[1997 Tournoi de France|1997]]

'''Individual'''
<!--LEAGUE AND FEDERATION-SANCTIONED AWARDS ONLY. No fan or magazine-voted awards. Listed in chronological order from last time won.-->
[[File:Beckham2001award.jpg|thumb|upright|Beckham's [[2001 FIFA World Player of the Year]] runner-up trophy]]
*[[Ballon d'Or]] runner-up: 1999<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi wins record eighth Ballon d'Or - with Bellingham taking top under-21 award |url=https://news.sky.com/story/lionel-messi-wins-record-eighth-ballon-dor-with-bellingham-taking-top-under-21-award-12996923 |website=Sky News |date=30 October 2023 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Player of the Year]] silver award: 1999, 2001<ref>{{cite web|first=José Luis |last=Pierrend |title=FIFA Awards |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |publisher=Rec.Sports.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=2 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112042845/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |archive-date=12 January 2016 }}</ref>
*Most assists in the Premier League: [[1997–98 FA Premier League|1997–98]], 1999–2000 ''(shared)'', 2000–01<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist|title=Premier League Player Stats - Assists|website=premierleague.com|access-date=19 May 2022|quote=Select season in the "Filter by season" drop-down menu.}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[1996–97 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|August 1996]]<ref name=PremProfile/>
*[[PFA Young Player of the Year]]: [[1996–97 FA Premier League#Player and managerial awards|1996–97]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Gerrard named player of the year |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4935884.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2006 |access-date=2 August 2015 }}</ref>
*[[FWA Tribute Award]]: 2008<ref>{{cite news |title=Football writers honour United duo |url=http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/news/football-writers-honour-united-duo/ |publisher=Football Writers' Association |date=14 October 2011 |access-date=2 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924014457/http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/news/football-writers-honour-united-duo/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year]]: 1996–97<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award |url=http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/player_of_the_year/player_of_the_year.html |publisher=MUFCInfo.com |access-date=2 August 2015 }}</ref>
*[[The FA England Awards|England Player of the Year]]: 2003<ref>{{cite web |title=Past Winners: David Beckham |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/news/2012/england-award-beckham-2003 |publisher=The Football Association |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=2 August 2015 }}</ref>
*[[European Sports Media#ESM Team of the Year|ESM Team of the Year]]: 1998–99
*[[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]]: 1998–99<ref name="uefa_awards">{{cite web |title=David Beckham |url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=14670/profile/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214030856/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=14670/profile/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2010 |publisher=UEFA |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=2 August 2015 }}</ref>
*[[UEFA Club Football Awards|UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year]]: 1998–99<ref name="uefa_awards"/>
*[[UEFA Team of the Year]]: 2001, 2003<ref name="uefa_awards"/>
*[[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards]] (1992–93 to 2001–02):
**[[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards#Teams of the Decade|Domestic & Overall Team of the Decade]]<ref name="Telegraph15Apr03Elite">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Christopher |date=15 April 2003 |title=The Premiership elite selection 1993–2003 |work=The Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399684/The-Premiership-elite-selection-1993-2003.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112234832/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399684/The-Premiership-elite-selection-1993-2003.html |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>
**[[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards#Goal of the Decade|Goal of the Decade]] (vs. Wimbledon, 17 August 1996)<ref name="Telegraph15Apr03Elite" />
*[[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]]: 2001<ref name="bbc_spoty">{{cite news |title=David Beckham receives Lifetime Achievement award |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/9283138.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2010 |access-date=2 August 2015 }}</ref>
*[[BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award]]: 2010<ref name="bbc_spoty"/>
*[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] Player of the Year: 2005–06
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#FA Premier League 5|1996–97 Premier League]],<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 1997–98 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1997 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=978-1-85291-581-0 |page=317 }}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#FA Premier League 6|1997–98 Premier League]],<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 1998–99 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1998 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=978-1-85291-588-9 |page=352 }}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#FA Premier League 7|1998–99 Premier League]],<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Hugman |editor-first=Barry J. |title=The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1999 |publisher=AFS |isbn=978-1-85291-607-7 |page=352 }}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League|1999–2000 Premier League]]<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Hugman |editor-first=Barry J. |title=The 2000–2001 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=2000 |publisher=AFS |isbn=978-1-85291-626-8 |page=384 }}</ref>
*[[FIFA 100]]<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA's top 100 list |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2004/mar/05fifa.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=13 November 2008}}</ref>
*[[ESPY Awards]]:
**Best Male Soccer Player: 2004<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espy2008/postshow/index.html |title=ESPYS 2008 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=13 November 2008}}</ref>
**Best MLS Player: 2008, 2012<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Keane wins Best MLS Player at 2015 ESPY Awards |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2015/07/16/robbie-keane-wins-best-mls-player-2015-espy-awards |website=LAGalaxy.com |publisher=MLS |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=2 August 2015 }}</ref>
*[[English Football Hall of Fame]]: [[English Football Hall of Fame#2008 Inductees|2008]]<ref>{{cite web|title=David Beckham |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/profiles/entry/david-beckham/ |publisher=National Football Museum |access-date=2 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529174504/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/profiles/entry/david-beckham/ |archive-date=29 May 2015 }}</ref>
*[[Premier League Hall of Fame]]: 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Beckham voted into Premier League Hall of Fame |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2147452 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=20 May 2021 |date=20 May 2021}}</ref>
*[[MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award]]: 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/14/las-beckham-named-comeback-player-year |publisher=Major League Soccer |title=LA's Beckham named Comeback Player of the Year |date=14 November 2011 |access-date=14 November 2011 |archive-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714090042/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/14/las-beckham-named-comeback-player-year |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Professional Footballers' Association|PFA]] Team of the Century (1997–2007): 2007<ref>{{cite news|title=Team of the Century: 1997–2007 – the Premiership's finest of the last decade |url=http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa-legends/teams-of-the-century/team-of-the-century-1997-2007 |work=GiveMeFootball.com |publisher=Give Me Football |date=5 September 2007 |access-date=17 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021032411/http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa-legends/teams-of-the-century/team-of-the-century-1997-2007 |archive-date=21 October 2008 }}</ref>
*[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] (IFFHS) Legends<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>
*[[UEFA President's Award]]: 2018<ref>{{cite news |title=David Beckham: Uefa to honour former England captain with President's Award |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45257336 |access-date=21 August 2018 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref>

'''Orders and special awards'''
*Officer of the [[Order of the British Empire]] by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]: 2003<ref name="honours"/>
*United Nations Children's Fund ([[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]]) [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|Goodwill Ambassador]] (2005–present)
*"Britain's Greatest Ambassador" – [[Greatest Britons|100 Greatest Britons]] awards<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2208671.stm |title=100 great British heroes |website=BBC News |accessdate=21 March 2014 }}</ref>
*''The Celebrity 100,'' number 15 – ''[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]],'' 2007<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/06/14/best-paid-celebrities-07celebrities_cz_lg_0614celeb_land.html|title=The Celebrity 100|work=Forbes|access-date=17 July 2007|date=14 June 2007}}</ref>
*Number 1 on the list of the 40 most influential men under the age of 40 in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arenamagazine.co.uk/?p=942 |title=Britain's original style magazine – for men |work=Arena |access-date=13 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521142907/http://www.arenamagazine.co.uk/?p=942 |archive-date=21 May 2008 }}</ref> – ''[[Arena (magazine)|Arena]]'', 2007
*[[Time 100]]: 2008<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2004/time100/heroes/100beckham.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070122011220/http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2004/time100/heroes/100beckham.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2007 |title=David Beckham: Soccer's Metrosexual |magazine=Time |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref>
*Gold [[Blue Peter Badge]] winner, 2001
*[[Do Something]] Athlete Award, 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=http://celebrity-gossip.net/do-something-awards-2011/david-beckham-do-something-athlete-award-winner-533638 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003063713/http://celebrity-gossip.net/do-something-awards-2011/david-beckham-do-something-athlete-award-winner-533638 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 October 2011 |title=David Beckham: Do Something Athlete Award Winner! |access-date=12 June 2012 }}</ref>
*AC Milan Hall of Fame<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/david-beckham|title=A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: David Beckham|publisher=A.C. Milan|access-date=12 May 2017}}</ref>

'''Records'''
*First Englishman to win league titles in four countries (England, Spain, United States, France).<ref name="honours"/>
*First England player to score at three [[FIFA World Cup]]s.<ref name="honours"/>
*First British footballer to play 100 UEFA Champions League games.<ref name="honours"/>
*Most free-kicks scored in the Premier League: 18.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beckham, Ronaldo, Ward-Prowse & most Premier League free kick goals |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/beckham-ronaldo-ward-prowse-most-premier-league-free-kick/bltc4ba544cb6c58e9e#cs1109c6b5727c468b |website=Goal |date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
*Most free-kicks scored in a Premier League season: 5 in 2000-01<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyler |first=Martin |date=12 April 2019 |title=Tyler's stats: Mohamed Salah scores 50th Premier League for Liverpool |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11688015/tylers-stats-mohamed-salah-scores-50th-premier-league-for-liverpool |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Sky Sports}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Association football|English football}}
* [[List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]
* [[Designated Player Rule|Designated Player Rule (Beckham Rule)]]
* [[List of Jews in sports#Association football (soccer)|List of select Jewish footballers]]

==References==

===Books===
* {{Cite book |last1=Beckham |first1=David |title=David Beckham: My Side |publisher=HarperCollinsWillow |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-00-715732-7 }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Beckham |first1=David |last2=Freeman |first2=Dean |title=Beckham: My World |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-340-79270-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/beckhammyworld0000beck_i7u3 }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Beckham |first1=David |last2=Watt |first2=Tom |title=Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-06-057093-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/beckhambothfeeto00beck }}
* {{Cite book |last=Crick |first=Michael |title=The Boss – The Many Sides of Alex Ferguson |publisher=Pocket Books |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-7434-2991-7 |author-link=Michael Crick |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/bossmanysidesofa0000cric}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Ferguson |first1=Alex |last2=McIlvanney |first2=Hugh |title=Managing My Life – My Autobiography |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-340-72855-0 |author-link=Alex Ferguson |author-link2=Hugh McIlvanney |url=https://archive.org/details/managingmylife00alex}}
* {{Cite book |last=Wahl |first=Grant |title=The Beckham Experiment: How the World's Most Famous Athlete Tried to Conquer America |publisher=Crown |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-307-40859-4 |author-link=Grant Wahl}}

===Internet===
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine |first=Grant |author-link=Grant Wahl |last=Wahl |title=Beckham's Last Stand: In the fifth and final year of his MLS contract, he's back at the top of his game at last. Now, as the 2011 playoffs begin, he and the Galaxy look to stamp his American experiment a success by winning a championship |date=31 October 2011 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1191594/index.htm |access-date=28 October 2011 |quote='In [Major League Soccer] his ability to hold the ball in that position and pass makes him unique,' says [coach Bruce] Arena. 'He's right in the middle of things. In every game, he touches the ball the most of any player.'}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|David Beckham}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Instagram}}
* [https://www.tiktok.com/@davidbeckham David Beckham] on [[TikTok]]
* [https://www.facebook.com/Beckham David Beckham] on [[Facebook]] 
* [https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/david-beckham David Beckham] at ManUtd.com
* [http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football-legends/david-robert-joseph-beckham David Beckham] at [[Real Madrid CF|RealMadrid.com]]
* {{MLS player}}
* {{NFT player}}
* {{UEFA player|archive=20201225050117}}
* {{FIFA player|archive=20150906015817}}
* {{Englandstats}}
* {{LFP Ligue 1|david-beckham}}
* {{Premier League player|331}}

{{Inter Miami CF}}
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{{Navboxes
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{{England squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
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}}
{{Navboxes
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{{1996–97 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
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{{1999–2000 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}
{{UEFA Club Footballer of the Year}}
{{UEFA Club Football Awards}}
{{ESPY Best MLS Player}}
{{2001 UEFA Team of the Year}}
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{{Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year}}
{{England Player of the Year}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners}}
{{2011 MLS Best XI}}
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{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
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}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Beckham, David}}
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[[Category:Real Madrid CF players]]
[[Category:Salford City F.C. chairmen and investors]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award winners]]
[[Category:UNICEF goodwill ambassadors]]