Challenges Faced by David Beckham: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped David Beckham's life and career.

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.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1989: United's Trophy Drought

In 1989, Manchester United failed to win a major trophy for the first time since 1989.

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.

1996: Euro 1996 Snub

Despite playing regularly and consistently well for Manchester United, David Beckham did not break into the England squad before Euro 1996.

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: Unpopularity among Opposition Fans

Despite his achievements in the 1998–99 season, David Beckham was still unpopular among some opposition fans and journalists.

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: 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.

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.

2000: Feud with Alex Ferguson

In 2000, Alex Ferguson fined David Beckham for missing training to care for his son Brooklyn, who had gastroenteritis, after Victoria Beckham was photographed at a London Fashion Week event on the same night. Ferguson dropped Beckham for a crucial match against Leeds United and criticised him in his autobiography. Despite this, Beckham had a good season, helping United win the Premier League.

2000: Abuse towards Beckham during Euro 2000

In 2000, During England's 3–2 defeat by Portugal in Euro 2000, Beckham responded to abuse from English supporters by raising his middle finger. While the gesture attracted criticism, newspapers asked their readers to stop abusing him.

April 2002: Injury during Champions League Match

On April 10, 2002, David Beckham broke the second metatarsal bone in his left foot during a Champions League match against Deportivo de La Coruña. The injury prevented him from playing for United for the rest of the season.

2002: Loss of place on the Manchester United team

In 2002, David Beckham lost his place on the Manchester United team, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær replacing him on the right side of midfield.

February 2003: Argument with Alex Ferguson

On February 15, 2003, Alex Ferguson kicked a boot at David Beckham in the changing room following an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, causing a cut that required stitches. The incident led to transfer speculation.

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.

July 2004: Intruder at Beckham Home

In July 2004, while David Beckham was in pre-season training in Spain, an intruder with a can of petrol scaled a wall at his home while Victoria and their children were inside. Security guards apprehended the man before he reached the house.

October 2004: Admission of Intentional Fouling

In October 2004, David Beckham admitted to intentionally fouling Ben Thatcher in an England match against Wales to get himself booked, aiming to serve a suspension during a match he would have missed due to injury. He also received a red card in a league match for sarcastically applauding the referee, though the suspension was later cancelled on appeal.

2004: Real Madrid finishes second in the league

In 2004, Real Madrid finished the league season in second position.

2004: Extramarital Affair Allegations

In 2004, various newspapers published claims by David Beckham's former personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, that they had engaged in an extramarital affair. Sarah Marbeck also claimed to have slept with Beckham on two occasions, both of which Beckham dismissed as "ludicrous".

October 2005: Beckham sent off against Austria

In October 2005, David Beckham's sending off against Austria made him the first England captain to be sent off and the first player to be sent off twice while playing for England.

October 2005: Second Red Card for England

On 8 October 2005, David Beckham received his second red card for England during a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Austria in Manchester. This contributed to a perception of indiscipline at times during his career.

December 2005: Third sending off of the season

On December 3, 2005, David Beckham was sent off for the third time that season in a league match against Getafe.

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: World Cup Qualifier

On October 8 2005, David Beckham received his second red card for England during a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Austria in Manchester.

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.

August 2009: Red Card with LA Galaxy

On 15 August 2009, David Beckham received his only red card while playing for LA Galaxy in a 2–0 home defeat to the Seattle Sounders in MLS.

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: 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.

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: Achilles tendon injury

In March 2010, during a game against Chievo, David Beckham suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, causing him to miss the World Cup. He underwent surgery in Turku, Finland, on 15 March 2010.

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: Court Application Against In Touch Magazine

In September 2010, David Beckham announced that he was making a court application against prostitute Irma Nici and several others over claims in the magazine In Touch that he had sex with her. His court application was dismissed, and the magazine later accepted that the allegations were untrue.

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: 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.

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.

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: Knighthood Controversy

In 2013, David Beckham was reportedly angry at not being granted a knighthood. The Honours Committee was allegedly concerned about his tax affairs based on input from HMRC, a UK government department.

2015: Email Hack and Publication

In 2015, a Portuguese company associated with David Beckham's spokesman was hacked, resulting in the publication of his personal emails by Germany's Der Spiegel and France's L'Equipe. The reports detailed his anger at not receiving a knighthood in 2013 and concerns over his tax affairs. Beckham's team confirmed some emails were genuine but claimed others were doctored.

November 2018: Guilty Plea for Mobile Phone Use While Driving

On 21 November 2018, David Beckham was caught using a mobile phone while driving.

May 2019: Driving Ban for Mobile Phone Use

On 9 May 2019, David Beckham was banned from driving for six months at Bromley Magistrates Court after previously pleading guilty to using a mobile phone while driving on 21 November 2018. He also received six points on his license and was fined £750.