David Beckham is a celebrated former English professional footballer, currently the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City. Renowned for his exceptional passing range, crossing ability, and free-kick expertise as a right winger, he's considered among the greatest midfielders of his era and a top free-kick specialist. Beckham notably won 19 major trophies and stands as the first English player to secure league titles across four countries: England, Spain, the United States, and France.
In 1969, David Beckham's parents, Sandra Georgina and David Edward Alan Beckham, married in the London Borough of Hackney.
In May 1975, David Robert Joseph Beckham was born at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London.
In 1986, Beckham was a Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United.
In 1989, Manchester United failed to win a major trophy for the first time since 1989.
In 1990, Beckham was named Under-15 Player of the Year while playing for Brimsdown Rovers' youth team.
In July 1991, Beckham signed a Youth Training Scheme contract with Manchester United.
In July 1991, Beckham signed as a trainee for Manchester United.
In April 1992, Beckham scored Manchester United's second goal in their 3-1 first-leg win of the FA Youth Cup final against Crystal Palace.
In May 1992, Beckham helped Manchester United win the FA Youth Cup.
In September 1992, Beckham made his first-team debut for Manchester United.
In 1992, Beckham made his first-team debut for Manchester United at the age of 17.
In January 1993, Beckham signed as a professional for Manchester United.
In May 1993, Beckham started in Manchester United's 2-0 home loss in the FA Youth Cup final first leg against Leeds United.
In September 1994, Beckham made his first full appearance in the club's first team against Port Vale.
In December 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4-0 victory against Galatasaray.
In 1994, Beckham went to Preston North End on loan to gain first-team experience.
In 1994, Sir Alex Ferguson brought young talents into Manchester United, including Beckham.
In April 1995, Beckham made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in a goalless draw against Leeds United.
In 1995, early in his Manchester United career, Beckham bought a four-bedroom house in Worsley directly from the property developer, marking his first major property purchase.
In August 1996, Beckham scored a spectacular goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon.
In September 1996, at the age of 21, Beckham made his debut for the England national team.
During the 1996 season, Beckham became an automatic first-choice player at Manchester United.
In 1996, Beckham helped Manchester United win the Premier League title and FA Cup double.
In 1996, Beckham scored from the half-way line against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park, marking one of his first career milestones.
In 1997, Beckham signed a £4 million endorsement deal with British hair styling brand Brylcreem, launching him into the world of commercial endorsements and solidifying his status as a marketable celebrity.
In 1997, Beckham started dating Victoria Adams, known as "Posh Spice," after she attended a Manchester United match, creating a high-profile celebrity relationship.
In 1997, Beckham was voted PFA Young Player of the Year.
On January 24, 1998, David Beckham proposed to Victoria Adams in a restaurant in Cheshunt, England, solidifying their relationship which had already garnered significant media attention.
After the 1998 World Cup, Beckham faced immense criticism following his red card incident, but in the years that followed, he worked to rebuild his reputation both on and off the field, showcasing resilience and determination.
Despite his achievements in the 1998 season, Beckham was still unpopular among some opposition fans and journalists.
During the 1998 World Cup, Beckham received a notorious red card after kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone after being fouled, leading to significant media scrutiny and criticism. This event in 1998 marked a low point in his early career.
In 1998, there was speculation that Beckham would leave England after being sent off in the World Cup.
On March 4, 1999, David and Victoria Beckham's first son, Brooklyn Joseph, was born in London, marking a significant milestone in their family life.
On July 4, 1999, David Beckham and Victoria Adams married at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland, in a high-profile ceremony where his teammate Gary Neville was the best man and their son Brooklyn was the ring bearer.
In 1999, Beckham played in central midfield in Manchester United's win over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Final, assisting both goals.
In 1999, after the birth of his son Brooklyn, Beckham conceived the idea of getting tattoos, following a conversation with Mel B and her husband, Jimmy Gulzar, marking the start of his extensive collection.
In 1999, shortly after their wedding, David and Victoria Beckham bought a country house set in 24 acres in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, which the media nicknamed "Beckingham Palace", becoming a symbol of their wealth and fame.
In 1999, there was talk of a transfer to Juventus in Italy, but this never happened.
On January 6, 2000, Beckham received his only red card while playing for Manchester United during the FIFA Club World Championship match against Necaxa, adding to his disciplinary record.
In November 2000, Beckham was appointed as the captain of the England team, initially by caretaker manager Peter Taylor, and he retained the role under new manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.
In 2000, Beckham appeared at the UEFA European Championship.
In 2000, David Beckham played a crucial role in Manchester United's Premier League title win, contributing nine goals and leading the league with 12 assists.
In 2000, David Beckham was fined and dropped from a crucial match after Alex Ferguson was angered by Victoria Beckham's attendance at a London Fashion Week event, despite David being given permission to miss training to care for his sick son. Ferguson felt David should have been able to train if Victoria had taken care of their son that day.
In 2001, Beckham was runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year.
The 2001 season was one of David Beckham's best seasons. He scored 16 goals in all competitions, the best of his career.
In April 2002, David Beckham suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his left foot during a Champions League match against Deportivo de La Coruña, leading to speculation and preventing him from playing for Manchester United for the rest of the season. There was speculation that the injury might have been caused deliberately.
On September 1, 2002, David and Victoria Beckham's second son, Romeo James, was born in London, expanding their family.
After an early injury in 2002, David Beckham was unable to regain his place on the Manchester United team.
In 2002, Beckham participated in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, escorting Kirsty Howard as she presented the Jubilee Baton to the Queen.
In 2002, Beckham was hailed as the ultimate "metrosexual," highlighting his influence on fashion and popular culture, and his role as a style icon.
In 2002, Beckham's goal against Wimbledon was voted No.18 of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in a UK poll.
In February 2003, tensions between David Beckham and Alex Ferguson escalated after Ferguson kicked a boot that struck Beckham in the face, causing a cut that required stitches, following an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
In June 2003, David Beckham was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to football in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
In July 2003, David Beckham's transfer to Real Madrid was completed. He was unveiled and handed the number 23 shirt, due to Raul owning the number 7 shirt, his previous number for Manchester United and England.
In late July 2003, Real Madrid, with David Beckham, embarked on a tour of the Far East as part of pre-season training, capitalizing on Beckham's marketing appeal in Asia, drawing comparisons to Beatlemania in China.
In late August 2003, Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup against Mallorca, with David Beckham scoring the final goal, marking a successful start to his Real Madrid career.
In 2003, David Beckham joined Real Madrid for €37 million after Manchester United appeared keen to sell him to Barcelona. He became part of the Galácticos era at Real Madrid.
On January 21, 2004, while playing for Real Madrid, Beckham received a red card in a Copa del Rey match against Valencia in Madrid, contributing to his disciplinary record with the club.
In July 2004, while David Beckham was in pre-season training, an intruder carrying petrol scaled the wall at his family home in Spain while Victoria and their children were present. Security apprehended the intruder before he reached the house.
In October 2004, David Beckham admitted to intentionally fouling Ben Thatcher in an England match against Wales to get himself booked, serving a suspension in a match he was already set to miss due to injury. He also received a red card in a league match.
In 2004, Beckham appeared at the UEFA European Championship.
In 2004, Beckham faced allegations of an extramarital affair with his former personal assistant Rebecca Loos, and later with model Sarah Marbeck, both of which he dismissed as "ludicrous."
In 2004, Beckham was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.
In 2004, Real Madrid finished the season in second place.
On February 20, 2005, David and Victoria Beckham's third son, Cruz David, was born in Madrid, adding another member to their growing family.
In December 2005, David Beckham received his third red card of the season during a league match against Getafe. A day later, Vanderlei Luxemburgo was sacked as head coach.
During the 2005 season, David Beckham established football academies in Los Angeles and east London, and he was named a judge for the 2006 British Book Awards.
In 2005, Beckham became a UNICEF ambassador.
In 2005, Beckham founded the David Beckham Academy, a football school operating in London and Los Angeles, aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting football education.
In January 2006, Florentino Pérez resigned as president of Real Madrid, marking a change in leadership at the club.
In June 2006, during the World Cup, Beckham's free kick led to an own goal in England's match against Paraguay. He also provided an assist in the game against Trinidad and Tobago and was named Man of the Match.
In August 2006, after the World Cup, Beckham was dropped from the England national team by new coach Steve McClaren, who cited a desire to go in a "different direction" with the team.
In 2006, Since the 2006 World Cup, this match was the first time that Beckham had skippered England.
The summer of 2006 marked a turbulent time for Real Madrid with presidential elections held and Ramón Calderón becoming the new president.
In January 2007, David Beckham announced that he had signed a five-year deal to play for the LA Galaxy, starting in July 2007.
In January 2007, Real Madrid's sporting director announced that David Beckham would not remain at Real Madrid after the end of the season. He later claimed that he was mistranslated and that he actually said that Beckham's contract had not yet been renewed.
In January 2007, it was confirmed that David Beckham would be leaving Real Madrid in six months to join the LA Galaxy, ending speculation about his contract renewal in Madrid.
In February 2007, David Beckham rejoined the Real Madrid team after being allowed to by Fabio Capello, scoring a goal in his first match back.
In March 2007, David Beckham made his final UEFA Champions League appearance for Real Madrid, where they were knocked out of the competition by Bayern Munich, despite Beckham's pivotal role in the home game.
In April 2007, David Beckham and his wife, Victoria Beckham, purchased a US$18.2 million home on San Ysidro Drive in Beverly Hills.
On June 17, 2007, David Beckham played his final match for Real Madrid, contributing to their 3–1 win over Mallorca, securing the La Liga title. He limped off the field and was replaced by José Antonio Reyes, who scored two goals, leading the team to that season's La Liga title.
David Beckham starts playing for the LA Galaxy in July 2007.
In August 2007, David and Victoria Beckham appeared together on the cover of W magazine, further cementing their status as fashion icons and influential celebrities.
In November 2007, Beckham earned his 99th cap against Croatia, assisting a goal. Despite the loss, Beckham expressed his desire to continue playing for England.
In 2007, Alex Ferguson commented on how David Beckham's marriage to Victoria and entry into the entertainment scene changed him, suggesting it made his life more complicated and football a smaller part of it.
In 2007, Alex Ferguson speculated that Beckham's increasing celebrity status, particularly due to his relationship with Victoria, had a negative impact on his playing career, questioning the balance between fame and performance.
In a 2007 interview, Beckham stated that he always wanted to be a footballer.
In early 2007, Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón and manager Fabio Capello praised Beckham for maintaining his professionalism and commitment to the club. Also, Beckham's Real Madrid teammate Roberto Carlos regarded Beckham to be the best free-kick exponent he had ever seen.
In January 2008, David Beckham trained with Arsenal for three weeks to maintain his fitness before returning to the LA Galaxy for pre-season training.
In May 2008, Beckham was honored for his 100th cap before a match against the United States, receiving an honorary gold cap from Bobby Charlton. He also assisted the match-winning goal.
In May 2008, David Beckham scored a goal from 70 yards out during the Galaxy's 3–1 victory against the Kansas City Wizards, marking the second time in his career he scored from his own half. The win gave the Galaxy their first winning record in two years.
In June 2008, Capello unexpectedly made Beckham the captain for England's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, marking a significant turnaround after being dropped from the squad.
In October 2008, AC Milan announced that David Beckham would join them on loan starting January 7, 2009, to maintain match fitness for World Cup qualifying matches.
In December 2008, David Beckham was unveiled at Milan's training facility and chose the number 32 shirt. The day after, he was introduced to the San Siro crowd before a league match.
In 2008, Beckham was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
In 2008, Victoria revealed Beckham's nickname "Golden Balls" on national TV while praising him for rebuilding his reputation after the 1998 World Cup, contributing to his public persona and image.
In February 2009, Beckham equaled Bobby Moore's record of 108 caps for an English outfield player, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match against Spain.
In March 2009, Beckham surpassed 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 in the process.
In November 2009, it was confirmed that David Beckham would return to AC Milan for a second loan period, starting in January 2010.
In November 2009, the LA Galaxy, with David Beckham, lost to Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final after a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw. Beckham scored in the shootout.
In late 2009, it was announced that both the London and Los Angeles locations of the David Beckham Academy would close, ending Beckham's venture into football education and training.
On January 6, 2010, David Beckham made a winning return to AC Milan, playing 75 minutes in a 5–2 victory over Genoa.
On February 16, 2010, David Beckham played against Manchester United for the first time since he left the club in 2003, playing 76 minutes in a match that ended 3–2 to Manchester United.
In March 2010, a ruptured Achilles tendon ruled Beckham out of selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
In March 2010, during a game against Chievo, David Beckham suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, causing him to miss the World Cup and the MLS season. Surgery was performed on March 15, 2010, in Turku, Finland.
On March 10, 2010, David Beckham returned to Old Trafford, playing against Manchester United as part of AC Milan. He came on as a substitute in the 64th minute to a positive reception from the fans. He also aroused controversy for wearing a green-and-gold scarf given to him by Manchester United supporters protesting against club owner Malcolm Glazer.
In August 2010, after England's performance at the World Cup, manager Fabio Capello indicated that Beckham was not part of his plans for the future of the England team, suggesting he needed new players in Beckham's position.
In September 2010, Beckham announced a court application against prostitute Irma Nici and others over claims he had sex with her. While his application was dismissed initially, the magazine later admitted the allegations were false, clarifying Beckham's reputation.
On September 11, 2010, David Beckham returned to play after recovering from his Achilles tendon injury, coming on as a substitute in the Galaxy's 3–1 win over Columbus Crew.
In 2010, Capello hinted on 25 March 2008 that Beckham had a long-term future in his side, ahead of crucial qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
On July 10, 2011, David and Victoria Beckham's daughter, Harper Seven, was born in Los Angeles, completing their family with their first daughter.
On November 20, 2011, David Beckham won his first MLS Cup with the Los Angeles Galaxy, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0. This marked him as one of the few players to have won league titles in three different countries.
In December 2011, David Beckham's five-year contract with the LA Galaxy expired, but he stated that he did not intend to retire.
On January 18, 2012, despite being linked with Paris Saint-Germain, David Beckham signed a new two-year contract to remain with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
In May 2012, David Beckham and his victorious teammates were received by President Barack Obama at the White House.
In 2012, Beckham was named in the provisional squad for the Great Britain Olympic football team but was not included in the final selection.
In January 2013, David Beckham underwent a medical with Paris Saint-Germain, signaling a potential move to the Ligue 1 side.
In February 2013, David Beckham made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain, coming off the bench in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille, becoming the 400th player in the club's history. He confirmed that his entire salary would be donated to a local children's charity.
On April 28, 2013, Beckham received a red card while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in a match against Evian, marking one of the few disciplinary incidents during his time with the club.
In May 2013, Beckham reflected on how he wanted to be remembered in his retirement, expressing his desire to be seen as a hardworking and passionate footballer who always gave his all on the pitch.
In May 2013, Beckham retired from professional football after a 20-year career.
In May 2013, David Beckham won a fourth different top-flight winners' medal after Paris Saint-Germain beat Lyon to claim the Ligue 1 title.
On May 16, 2013, David Beckham announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the season. On May 18, 2013, he captained his final home game against Brest, receiving a standing ovation.
In 2013, Beckham was listed as the highest-paid player in the world.
In 2013, Beckham was not granted a knighthood, leading to frustration and discussions about his tax affairs, as revealed in leaked emails from 2015.
On February 5, 2014, MLS announced that Beckham had exercised his option to buy an MLS expansion team for US$25 million, which he had received as part of his contract with the LA Galaxy, marking his entry into team ownership.
In 2014, David and Victoria Beckham sold their country house in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, nicknamed "Beckingham Palace" by the media, marking a change in their property portfolio.
In 2014, MLS announced that Beckham and a group of investors would own Inter Miami.
In 2014, Rob Smyth of The Guardian described Beckham as a great crosser and perhaps the greatest of all time, emphasizing his unique technique with dead-ball situations and open play crosses.
In 2015, Alex Ferguson claimed he had only coached four world-class players at Manchester United, excluding Beckham from the list and sparking debate about Beckham's standing among football legends.
In 2015, Beckham launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund.
In 2015, a Portuguese company associated with Beckham's spokesman had their server hacked, leading to the publication of Beckham's personal emails which revealed his anger at not receiving a knighthood in 2013 and concerns about his tax affairs.
In 2016, Beckham's England appearance record for an outfield player ended.
In 2016, Beckham's goal against Wimbledon was ranked the best opening day goal in Premier League history.
In 2016, David and Victoria Beckham bought a barn in the Cotswolds, which would later serve as the site for Beckham's endeavors in beekeeping, animal husbandry, and farming, starting in 2020.
In January 2018, MLS announced that Beckham's Miami-based team had been approved, with play likely to begin in 2020 after delays in securing a stadium deal, marking a significant step in establishing the franchise.
On November 21, 2018, Beckham was caught using a mobile phone while driving in "slowly moving" traffic, leading to legal consequences including a driving ban and a fine in May 2019.
In 2018, Beckham added a tattoo of a solar system covering the left side of his scalp to his extensive collection of tattoos, showcasing his continued interest in body art.
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, taking 10% of the club, pending Football Association approval.
In May 2019, Beckham was banned from driving for six months at Bromley Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to using a mobile phone while driving in November 2018, resulting in six points on his license and a fine.
On March 1, 2020, Inter Miami, Beckham's MLS team, made its debut with a 1–0 away loss to Los Angeles, marking the beginning of the team's journey in professional soccer.
Since 2020, David Beckham has been actively involved in beekeeping, animal husbandry, and farming at their barn in the Cotswolds, which they bought in 2016, showcasing his interests beyond football.
As of 2021, Beckham has more than 65 tattoos covering a large part of his body, including names of his sons and wife, and several with religious significance, reflecting his personal life and beliefs.
In 2021, Beckham was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
In September 2022, Beckham queued for 12 hours to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state at Westminster Hall, demonstrating his staunch monarchist views and respect for the royal family.
In 2022, Manchester City won the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
As of September 2023, Beckham ranks joint-5th all time (alongside Lionel Messi) in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65.
In 2023, Beckham reflected on the pressure he felt to perform while at Manchester United.
In 2023, a documentary called Beckham was released on Netflix, revisiting the 2004 allegations of an affair with Rebecca Loos and showing how that period affected his marriage with Victoria.