David Beckham's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of David Beckham. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

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.

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.

1997: PFA Young Player of the Year

In 1997, Beckham was voted PFA Young Player of the Year by his peers.

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: 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.

1999: UEFA Champions League Win with Manchester United

In 1999, Beckham won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United.

1999: Marriage to Victoria Beckham and Ballon d'Or Runner-Up

In 1999, David Beckham married Victoria Beckham and was runner-up in the Ballon d'Or.

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.

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: 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: Runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year

In 2001, David Beckham was runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year.

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: Goal Ranked Among Greatest Sporting Moments

In 2002, a UK poll conducted by Channel 4 voted Beckham's goal against Wimbledon as No.18 of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.

June 2003: Appointed an OBE

On June 13, 2003, David Beckham was appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to football.

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.

2004: Named in FIFA 100 List

In 2004, David Beckham was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.

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.

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.

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.

March 2008: Beckham wins 100 caps

On March 20, 2008, David Beckham was recalled to the England squad by Fabio Capello for the friendly against France in Paris on March 26, becoming only the fifth Englishman to win 100 caps.

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.

2008: Induction into English Football Hall of Fame

In 2008, David Beckham was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

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.

2011: MLS Cup Win with LA Galaxy

In 2011, David Beckham won the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy.

2012: Second MLS Cup Win with LA Galaxy

In 2012, David Beckham won his second MLS Cup with LA Galaxy.

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.

2015: GQ's Best Dressed British Men

In 2015, David Beckham was named one of GQ's 50 best-dressed British men, solidifying his status as a fashion icon.

2016: Goal Ranked Best Opening Day Goal

In 2016, a Sky Sports poll ranked David Beckham's goal against Wimbledon as the best opening day goal in Premier League history.

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.

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.

2021: Induction into Premier League Hall of Fame

In 2021, David Beckham was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

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.