Rise to Success: Career Highlights of David Beckham
Discover the career path of David Beckham, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
David Beckham is a retired English professional footballer, celebrated for his exceptional passing range, crossing skills, and free-kick expertise. Recognized as one of the best players of his era and in Premier League history, he secured 19 major trophies and distinguished himself as the first English player to clinch league titles in four nations: England, Spain, the United States, and France. Currently, he is the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City.
1986: Manchester United Mascot
In 1986, young David Beckham was a Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United.
1989: United's Trophy Drought
In 1989, Manchester United failed to win a major trophy for the first time since 1989.
1990: Under-15 Player of the Year
In 1990, David Beckham was named Under-15 Player of the Year while playing for Brimsdown Rovers' youth team.
July 1991: Signed Youth Training Scheme contract with Manchester United
On July 8, 1991, David Beckham signed a Youth Training Scheme contract with Manchester United.
July 1991: Signed as Trainee for Manchester United
On July 8, 1991, David Beckham signed for Manchester United as a trainee.
April 1992: Scored in FA Youth Cup First-Leg Win
On April 14, 1992, Beckham scored Manchester United's second goal in their 3–1 first-leg win of the FA Youth Cup final against Crystal Palace.
May 1992: FA Youth Cup Win
In May 1992, Beckham, as part of the youth team, helped Manchester United win the FA Youth Cup.
September 1992: First-Team Debut
On September 23, 1992, Beckham made his first-team debut as a substitute in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
1992: First-Team Debut with Manchester United
In 1992, at the age of 17, David Beckham made his first-team debut with Manchester United.
January 1993: Signed as Professional
On January 23, 1993, David Beckham signed as a professional player.
May 1993: FA Youth Cup Final Loss
In May 1993, Manchester United lost the FA Youth Cup final against Leeds United, with Beckham playing in both legs.
September 1994: First Full Appearance
In September 1994, Beckham made his first full appearance in the club's first team against Port Vale in a League Cup fixture.
December 1994: UEFA Champions League Debut and Goal
On December 7, 1994, David Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4–0 victory at home to Galatasaray.
1994: Loan to Preston North End
In 1994, David Beckham went to Preston North End on loan to gain first-team experience.
1994: Departure of Key Players
In 1994, experienced players Paul Ince, Mark Hughes, and Andrei Kanchelskis left the club, opening opportunities for young talents.
April 1995: Premier League Debut for Manchester United
On April 2, 1995, David Beckham made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in a goalless draw against Leeds United.
1995: Purchase of First Home
In 1995, early in his Manchester United career, 20-year-old David Beckham bought a four-bedroom house in Worsley directly from the property developer, marking his first significant property purchase.
August 1996: Spectacular Goal Against Wimbledon
On August 17, 1996, David Beckham scored a spectacular goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon, becoming a household name.
September 1996: England National Team Debut
On September 1, 1996, at the age of 21, David Beckham made his debut for the England national football team.
1996: Automatic First-Choice Player
During the 1996-97 season, Beckham became an automatic first-choice player at Manchester United, helping them retain the Premier League title.
1996: Goal from the half-way line against Wimbledon
In 1996, David Beckham scored a goal from the half-way line against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.
1997: PFA Young Player of the Year
In 1997, Beckham was voted PFA Young Player of the Year by his peers.
1997: Brylcreem Endorsement
In 1997, David Beckham secured an early endorsement deal with the British hair styling brand Brylcreem for £4 million, leading to appearances in UK commercials.
1998: Rebuilding reputation after 1998 World Cup
David Beckham rebuilt his reputation after the 1998 World Cup incident. Victoria praised him for this in 2008.
1998: Red Card Incident in 1998 World Cup
During the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham received a red card after kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone, following a foul. This was one of Beckham's most notorious moments of indiscipline.
1998: Beckham scores first goal for England in 1998 FIFA World Cup
In 1998, 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. He scored his first goal for England with a free kick in a 2–0 victory against Colombia.
1998: Appearance at FIFA World Cup
In 1998, David Beckham appeared at the FIFA World Cup.
1998: Speculation about Leaving England
In 1998, there was speculation that the criticism David Beckham received after being sent off in the World Cup would lead to him leaving England, but he decided to stay at Manchester United.
1999: UEFA Champions League Win with Manchester United
In 1999, Beckham won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United.
1999: UEFA Champions League Final Win
In 1999, David Beckham played in central midfield in Manchester United's win over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Final, and his assists led to the team winning. He was also runner-up for European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
January 2000: Red Card in FIFA Club World Championship
On 6 January 2000, David Beckham received his only red card while playing for Manchester United in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship against Necaxa.
November 2000: Beckham promoted to England team captain
On November 15, 2000, David Beckham was promoted to team captain of England by caretaker manager Peter Taylor, following Kevin Keegan's resignation. He then kept the role under new manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.
2000: Appearance at UEFA European Championship
In 2000, David Beckham appeared at the UEFA European Championship.
2000: Premier League Title Retained
In 2000, David Beckham helped Manchester United retain the Premier League title by an 18-point margin, after a season where they were pushed by Arsenal and Leeds United.
2000: Third Successive League Title
In 2000, David Beckham was a key player in Manchester United's third successive league title. He scored nine Premier League goals and had the most assists in the league, with twelve.
October 2001: Beckham helps England qualify for 2002 FIFA World Cup
On October 6, 2001, David Beckham played a major role in helping England qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, including a free-kick goal against Greece. He was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2001 and was runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year.
2001: One of Beckham's best seasons as a United player
In 2001, David Beckham had one of his best seasons as a United player; he scored 16 goals in all competitions, the best of his career.
2002: Beckham's role in England's qualification for the FIFA World Cup
In 2002, Beckham played a major role in helping England qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, starring in an impressive 5–1 victory over Germany in Munich. He 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.
2002: Appearance at FIFA World Cup
In 2002, David Beckham appeared at the FIFA World Cup.
2002: Bend It Like Beckham Film
In 2002, David Beckham appeared in the film Bend It Like Beckham only through archive footage. He and his wife wanted to make cameo appearances, but scheduling conflicts prevented it.
2002: Beckham plays in 2002 World Cup
In 2002, David Beckham played in the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea, scoring a penalty against Argentina. England defeated Denmark in the second round with Beckham providing an assist in a 3–0 win. England were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Brazil.
2002: Metrosexual Icon
In 2002, David Beckham was hailed as the ultimate "metrosexual" by the person who coined the term, solidifying his image as a fashion icon. His various hairstyles throughout his career, including a buzz cut, Mohawk, and ponytail, received extensive media coverage.
2002: MLS Supporters' Shield
In October 2010, LA Galaxy secured their first MLS Supporters' Shield since 2002.
July 2003: Real Madrid Presentation
In July 2003, David Beckham was unveiled as a Real Madrid player, wearing the number 23 shirt in honour of Michael Jordan. Adidas reported high sales of Beckham-related merchandise after his arrival.
August 2003: Spanish Super Cup win
In August 2003, David Beckham scored the final goal in Real Madrid's 3–0 win over Mallorca in the Spanish Super Cup. He settled in quickly, scoring five times in his first 16 matches.
2003: Transfer to Real Madrid
In 2003, David Beckham joined Real Madrid for €37 million on a four-year contract, after Manchester United had initially appeared keen to sell him to Barcelona.
2003: Lifetime Contract with Adidas
In 2003, David Beckham signed a US$160 million lifetime contract with Adidas, securing a significant upfront payment and a percentage of profits from his branded Adidas products.
2003: Last match with Manchester United
In February 16 2010, Beckham played against Manchester United for the first time since he left the club in 2003.
January 2004: Sleeping Portrait by Sam Taylor-Johnson
In January 2004, artist Sam Taylor-Johnson recorded David Beckham sleeping in a Madrid hotel room after a morning training session with Real Madrid. The film was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in London.
January 2004: Red Card in Copa del Rey
On 21 January 2004, while playing for Real Madrid, David Beckham received a red card in a Copa del Rey match against Valencia in Madrid.
2004: Appearance at UEFA European Championship
In 2004, David Beckham appeared at the UEFA European Championship.
2004: Beckham plays in Euro 2004
In 2004, David Beckham played in all of England's matches at Euro 2004. He had a penalty saved in England's opening 2–1 defeat to France and missed another in a penalty shootout in the quarter-final match against hosts Portugal, following a 2–2 draw. England lost the shootout 6–5, thus going out of the competition.
2004: Adidas Commercial "Kicking it"
In 2004, David Beckham's Adidas television commercial "Kicking it", featuring Jonny Wilkinson, was recognized as one of the best British commercials of the year. It was also featured as one of the Great Ads of the 21st Century by Channel 4.
2005: Football academies established and judge for British Book Awards
During the 2005 season, David Beckham established football academies in Los Angeles and east London, and was named a judge for the 2006 British Book Awards.
2005: Appointed as UNICEF Ambassador
In 2005, David Beckham became a UNICEF ambassador.
2005: Foundation of the David Beckham Academy
In 2005, David Beckham founded the David Beckham Academy football school, with locations in London and Los Angeles. The academies provided training and development for young footballers.
2005: Cameo in Goal!
In 2005, David Beckham made a cameo appearance with Zinedine Zidane and Raúl in the film Goal!. A lookalike was used for the party scene, but Beckham himself appeared in the sequel.
2005: Involvement in London Olympics Bid
In 2005, David Beckham played a key role in bringing the Olympics to London, travelling with the British delegation to Singapore for the host city selection.
June 2006: Beckham's performance at the 2006 World Cup
In June 2006, during England's matches at the 2006 World Cup, David Beckham's free kick led to an own-goal by Carlos Gamarra in the game against Paraguay. In the match against Trinidad and Tobago, Beckham's cross led to a goal by Peter Crouch, and he was named Man of the Match.
August 2006: Beckham dropped from England squad
On August 11, 2006, David Beckham was dropped completely from the England national team by new coach Steve McClaren, who stated he was "looking to go in a different direction" with the team.
2006: Transformation from being dropped to being captain.
In 2006, Beckham had gone from being dropped completely from the England squad to being reinstated (though temporarily) as England captain.
2006: Appearance at FIFA World Cup
In 2006, David Beckham appeared at the FIFA World Cup.
2006: Appearance in Goal II: Living the Dream
In 2006, David Beckham appeared in a larger role in the film Goal II: Living the Dream. The film centers around the Real Madrid team, featuring Beckham and other Madrid players alongside fictional characters.
2006: Legs Insured for £100m
In 2006, David Beckham's legs were insured for £100 million by Lloyd's of London, highlighting his value and importance as a player.
January 2007: Joining LA Galaxy
In January 2007, it was confirmed that David Beckham would leave Real Madrid in six months to join the MLS side LA Galaxy. His official press conference was held in conjunction with the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.
January 2007: Real Madrid says Beckham will not remain at the club after the end of the season
On January 10, 2007, Real Madrid announced that David Beckham would not remain at Real Madrid after the end of the season. However, they later claimed that they were mistranslated.
February 2007: Beckham rejoins the team
In February 2007, Fabio Capello allowed David Beckham to rejoin the team for the match against Real Sociedad on February 10, 2007. Beckham scored the equalising goal from a free kick.
March 2007: Final UEFA Champions League appearance
On March 7, 2007, David Beckham made his final UEFA Champions League appearance for Real Madrid. The team was knocked out of the competition by Bayern Munich.
May 2007: Beckham recalled to England squad
On May 26, 2007, Steve McClaren announced that David Beckham would be recalled to the England squad for the first time since stepping down as their captain.
June 2007: Final match for Real Madrid
On 17 June 2007, Beckham played his final match for Real Madrid, where the team won against Mallorca 3-1, securing the La Liga title, their first since Beckham joined. Beckham was substituted due to an injury, and his replacement, José Antonio Reyes, scored twice.
July 2007: Start date with LA Galaxy
David Beckham's five-year deal to play for the LA Galaxy began on July 1, 2007.
July 2007: Arrival in Los Angeles and Welcome Party
In July 2007, David and Victoria Beckham's arrival in Los Angeles was met with significant media attention. Victoria appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and a private welcoming party was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art with A-list celebrities in attendance.
August 2007: Magazine Cover with Victoria
In August 2007, David Beckham appeared with Victoria on the cover of W magazine in the US. The Beckhams were paid US$13.7 million in 2007 to launch his fragrance line in the US.
November 2007: Beckham earns 99th cap against Croatia
On November 21, 2007, David Beckham earned his 99th cap against Croatia, setting up a goal for Peter Crouch to tie the game at 2–2.
2007: Praised for Professionalism at Real Madrid
In early 2007, despite strained relations with management at Real Madrid, president Ramón Calderón and manager Fabio Capello praised David Beckham for his professionalism and commitment. Also in 2007, Alex Ferguson speculated that Beckham's celebrity status had a negative impact on his career.
2007: Contract with LA Galaxy
MLS announced in February 2014 that Beckham had exercised his option to buy an MLS expansion team for US$25 million, which he had received as part of the contract he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007.
January 2008: Training with Arsenal
In January 2008, David Beckham trained with Arsenal for three weeks before returning to the LA Galaxy for pre-season training.
May 2008: Beckham honored before match against United States
On May 11, 2008, Fabio Capello included Beckham in his 31-man England squad to face the United States at Wembley on May 28. Before the match, Beckham received an honorary gold cap representing his 100th cap from Bobby Charlton and assisted John Terry on the match-winning goal.
June 2008: Beckham captains England against Trinidad and Tobago
On June 1, 2008, in a surprise move, Capello handed David Beckham the captaincy for England's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, marking a significant turnaround for Beckham's England career.
October 2008: Loan to AC Milan announced
On 30 October 2008, AC Milan announced that David Beckham would join them on loan from 7 January 2009, fueling speculation he might return to Europe.
December 2008: Unveiling at Milan's training facility
On 20 December 2008, David Beckham was unveiled at AC Milan's training facility and chose the number 32 shirt. The next day, he was introduced to the home fans at the San Siro.
2008: Beijing Olympics Handover Segment
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony, David Beckham, Jimmy Page, and Leona Lewis represented Britain during the handover segment for the 2012 Olympics. Beckham rode a London double-decker bus into the stadium and Page and Lewis performed "Whole Lotta Love".
2008: Beckham expresses his desire to continue playing for England.
In 2008, Beckham had assisted in three of England's four total goals in those two games, and he stated his desire to continue to play for England after his move to Major League Soccer.
February 2009: Beckham equals Bobby Moore's record
On February 11, 2009, David 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.
March 2009: Beckham surpasses Moore's record
On March 28, 2009, David Beckham surpassed Bobby Moore to hold the record outright when he came on as a substitute in a friendly against Slovakia, providing the assist for a goal from Wayne Rooney.
June 2009: Goal III: Taking on the World Release
In June 2009, David Beckham appeared through stock footage from the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Goal III: Taking on the World, which was released straight to DVD on June 15, 2009.
November 2009: Second Loan Period to Milan
In November 2009, it was confirmed that Beckham would return to Milan for a second loan period, starting in January 2010.
November 2009: Loss in MLS Cup final
On 22 November 2009, the LA Galaxy lost to Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final after a penalty shoot-out, in which Beckham scored.
2009: Opt-out clause in MLS contract
David Beckham's contract with the MLS included an opt-out clause after the 2009 season. This meant that he could leave the club after completing the third year of his five-year contract if he chose to.
2009: Launch of Malaria No More UK
In 2009, David Beckham co-founded Malaria No More UK Leadership Council and helped launch the charity with Andy Murray at Wembley Stadium.
2009: PepsiCo Collaboration Expiration
In 2009, David Beckham's 10-year collaboration with PepsiCo expired, marking the end of a significant endorsement deal.
2009: Closure of David Beckham Academy
In late 2009, it was announced that both locations of the David Beckham Academy football school, in London and Los Angeles, would close. The academies had been operating since 2005.
January 2010: Winning return in Milan shirt
On 6 January 2010, Beckham made a winning return in a Milan shirt, playing 75 minutes of a 5-2 victory over Genoa.
February 2010: Played against Manchester United
On 16 February 2010, David Beckham played against Manchester United for the first time since leaving the club in 2003. Milan lost 3-2.
March 2010: Beckham's Achilles tendon rupture
In March 2010, David Beckham's ruptured Achilles tendon ruled him out of selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
March 2010: Return to Old Trafford
On 10 March 2010, David Beckham returned to Old Trafford for the second leg of the tie, playing against Manchester United. Milan lost 4-0.
May 2010: Visit to British Troops in Afghanistan
In May 2010, David Beckham visited Afghanistan to boost the morale of British troops. His appearance, along with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Secretary Liam Fox, reportedly prompted a Taliban attack on Kandahar airfield.
August 2010: Capello unveils new England team without Beckham
On August 11, 2010, Fabio Capello unveiled a new England team for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign, with David Beckham not selected. Capello indicated Beckham's time with the national team was likely over, as he was looking to the future with new players.
September 2010: Return after injury
In September 2010, after recovering from his Achilles tendon injury, David Beckham returned to the game as a substitute in the Galaxy's 3-1 win over Columbus Crew.
2010: Capello hints Beckham has a long-term future in his side
Ahead of crucial qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, on March 25, 2008, Capello hinted that Beckham had a long-term future in his side.
February 2011: Training with Tottenham Hotspur
In February 2011, ahead of the 2011 MLS season, David Beckham trained with Tottenham Hotspur, but was not allowed to sign on loan.
November 2011: Winning MLS cup
On 20 November 2011, David Beckham 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.
December 2011: Expiration of Galaxy contract
On 31 December 2011, David Beckham's five-year contract with the LA Galaxy expired. Beckham stated that he did not intend to retire.
2011: MLS Cup Win with LA Galaxy
In 2011, David Beckham won the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy.
January 2012: New contract with Galaxy
On 18 January 2012, LA Galaxy announced that David Beckham had signed a new two-year contract to remain in Los Angeles.
2012: Beckham's final season
In 2012, David Beckham decided to retire at the end of the 2012-13 season, after which he received 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.
2012: London Olympics Opening Ceremony
In 2012, David Beckham featured at the Summer Olympics opening ceremony, carrying the Olympic flame to the stadium by speedboat.
2012: Final game with Galaxy
In 2012, David Beckham helped the Galaxy to a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference and announced that the 2012 MLS Cup Final would be his final game with the Galaxy.
2012: Beckham named in provisional squad for Olympics but not selected
In 2012, David Beckham was named in the provisional squad to represent the Great Britain Olympic football team at the 2012 Olympics. However, he was not included in the final selection by manager Stuart Pearce, but the British Olympic Association contacted Beckham's representatives for him to be related to Team GB more broadly.
2012: Second MLS Cup Win with LA Galaxy
In 2012, David Beckham won his second MLS Cup with LA Galaxy.
2012: Beckham not playing competitive matches for England.
In 2012, with UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign, 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.
January 2013: Beckham's medical with Paris Saint-Germain
In January 2013, David Beckham underwent a medical with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ahead of a potential move to the Ligue 1 side.
February 2013: Beckham's debut for PSG
On February 24, 2013, David Beckham made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coming off the bench in the 76th minute in a Ligue 1 home match against Marseille, becoming the 400th player in the club's history.
March 2013: Global Ambassador for Chinese Football
In March 2013, David Beckham was appointed as the global ambassador for Chinese football by Chinese authorities. His role was to help improve the image and raise the profile of the game in China and abroad.
April 2013: Red Card with Paris Saint-Germain
On 28 April 2013, David Beckham received one red card while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in a match against Evian.
May 2013: End of Playing Career
In May 2013, David Beckham's playing career came to an end. During his career he generated an estimated £1 billion in shirt and boot sales.
May 2013: Retirement from Professional Football
In May 2013, after a brief stint at Paris Saint-Germain, David Beckham retired from professional football after a 20-year career.
May 2013: Beckham wins Ligue 1 title with PSG
On May 12, 2013, David Beckham secured a fourth different top-flight winners' medal after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Lyon 1–0 to win the Ligue 1 title.
May 2013: Beckham announces his retirement
On May 16, 2013, David Beckham announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the French football season. He received specially designed Union Jack-themed boots with his family's names stitched on them for his final game, where he captained PSG against Brest on May 18, assisting a goal before being subbed off to a standing ovation in the 3-1 victory.
July 2013: Sky Sports Advertisement
From July 2013, David Beckham appeared in adverts for BSkyB, promoting their Sky Sports coverage through the Sky Go app.
2013: Limited Acting Skills
In 2013, British magazine Marketing Week commented on David Beckham's "somewhat limited acting skills". Through his friendship with Guy Ritchie, he made two film cameo appearances.
2013: Highest-Paid Player in the World
In 2013, David Beckham was listed as the highest-paid player in the world, earning over US$50 million in the previous twelve months.
January 2014: Appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
In January 2014, David Beckham appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC in the U.S.
February 2014: Beckham Exercises Option to Buy MLS Expansion Team
On 5 February 2014, MLS announced that David Beckham had exercised his option to buy an MLS expansion team for US$25 million. This option was part of the contract he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, signaling his continued involvement in soccer after his playing career.
November 2014: Paddington Bear Statue Design
In November 2014, David Beckham designed a Paddington Bear statue which was one of fifty created by various celebrities. These statues were auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
2014: Announcement of Inter Miami Ownership
In 2014, MLS announced that David Beckham and a group of investors would own Inter Miami.
2014: Assessment of Beckham's Crossing Ability
In 2014, Rob Smyth of The Guardian described David Beckham as "a great crosser and perhaps the greatest of all time". He noted Beckham's unique technique of using a barely moving ball, similar to his corners and free-kicks.
2015: Ferguson Excludes Beckham from World-Class Player List
In 2015, Alex Ferguson claimed he had only coached four world-class players at Manchester United, excluding David Beckham from the list. Ferguson commented that the world-class players were Cantona, Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Scholes.
2015: Launch of 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund
In 2015, David Beckham launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund.
2016: Opposition to Brexit
During the 2016 EU referendum, David Beckham publicly voiced his opposition to Brexit, stating his belief that the UK should face global problems together with other nations.
2016: End of England Appearance Record
In 2016, David Beckham's England appearance record for an outfield player ended.
2016: Hope to begin play in 2016
In February 2014 MLS announced that Beckham exercised his option to buy a MLS expansion team and initially hoped the team would begin play in 2016.
2017: Hope to begin play in 2017
In February 2014 MLS announced that Beckham exercised his option to buy a MLS expansion team and originally hoped the Miami-based team would begin play in 2017.
January 2018: Approval of Miami MLS Team
In January 2018, MLS announced that David Beckham's Miami-based team had been approved, likely beginning play in 2020. This followed delays in securing a stadium deal after Beckham exercised his option to buy an MLS expansion team in February 2014.
May 2018: Ambassadorial President of the British Fashion Council
On 11 May 2018, David Beckham was announced as the new Ambassadorial President of the British Fashion Council.
June 2018: Endorsement of North American Bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Prior to the June 2018 vote by FIFA member nations for selecting the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, David Beckham endorsed the joint North American bid (Canada, Mexico, and the United States).
January 2019: Beckham Becomes Part Owner of Salford City
In January 2019, it was announced that David Beckham was set to join his Class of '92 teammates as part owner of English non-league club Salford City, taking 10% of the club previously held by Peter Lim. The Football Association approved him to become a director of the club on 31 January.
March 2019: Statue Unveiled by LA Galaxy
In March 2019, David Beckham's former club, LA Galaxy, unveiled a statue of him outside of their stadium, marking the first statue of its kind in the MLS.
March 2020: Inter Miami's MLS Debut
On 1 March 2020, Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, made its MLS debut with a 1–0 away loss to Los Angeles. This marked the culmination of efforts that began with Beckham exercising his option to buy an MLS expansion team in February 2014.
June 2020: Minority Owner of Guild Esports
In June 2020, David Beckham became a minority owner of the London-based esports organisation Guild Esports.
November 2020: Agreement with EA Sports for FIFA 21
In November 2020, EA Sports reached an agreement with David Beckham to feature him in FIFA 21, earning him £40m over three years.
2020: Inter Miami began playing
In 2020, Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham and a group of investors, began playing.
April 2021: Global Ambassador for Maserati
In April 2021, David Beckham became a global ambassador for Maserati, further expanding his portfolio of endorsements.
June 2021: Stake in Vehicle Electrification Firm, Lunaz
In June 2021, David Beckham bought a 10% stake in vehicle electrification firm, Lunaz.
2022: Brand Ambassador for 2022 FIFA World Cup
In 2022, David Beckham faced controversy for signing a deal with Qatar (which persecutes LGBT people) to become a brand ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Beckham stated that the World Cup would be "[a platform for] progress, inclusivity and tolerance".
September 2023: Beckham's Ranking in Free-Kick Goals
As of September 2023, David Beckham was ranked joint-5th all-time with Lionel Messi in goals scored from direct free kicks, totaling 65 goals. Some pundits also rated him as one of the greatest wide midfielders of all time in September 2023.
2023: Beckham's thoughts on Manchester United
In 2023, Beckham reflected on his time at Manchester United, expressing the constant pressure to perform and the feeling of insecurity.
2023: Fuoriserie Essentials Collection with Maserati
In 2023, Maserati unveiled its first collection with David Beckham as part of Maserati's new personalization program, "Fuoriserie Essentials".
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