David Beckham is an English former soccer player. He is the current owner of Inter Miami FC and co-owner of EFL League Two side Salford City alongside Manchester United’s Class of ‘92 players Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.
England international Beckham played for some of the biggest soccer clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and LA Galaxy. Beckham won the most international caps (115) for an English outfield player until Wayne Rooney overtook his record in 2016.
Beckham was renowned for his ability to score free-kicks and supply crosses from the right-hand side of midfield. In a 20-year career, Beckham won 19 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and league titles in four countries (England, Spain, France and the United States), becoming the first British player to achieve such an accomplishment.
Beckham is celebrated around the world not only for his soccer achievements but also his business ventures. He also enjoys a high celebrity status alongside wife and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
Beckham was part of Manchester United's golden generation. A product of the club’s academy, the Class of '92 also featured the Neville brothers, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt and won the 1992 FA Youth Cup under the guidance of coach Eric Harrison.
Beckham made his senior debut for United in the same year, replacing Andrei Kanchelskis against Brighton in the League Cup. In January 1993, Beckham signed a professional contract with the club.
After continuing to progress in the youth and reserve ranks, Beckham made his first start for United in the League Cup against Port Vale in September 1994 before scoring his first Champions League goal during a 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in December.
In January, Beckham joined Preston North End on loan and spent the remainder of the 1994/95 campaign there. He is remembered for scoring direct from a corner for the Lancashire side.
In 1995/96, manager Alex Ferguson injected youth into his United team, which was criticised by TV pundit Alan Hansen after United lost 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. The player-turned-analyst said: "You can't win anything with kids."
United went on to prove him wrong by collecting the Premier League and FA Cup double, with Beckham scoring in the semi-final against Chelsea and assisting for Eric Cantona in the final.
Beckham scored eight goals and had eight assists from 39 games in all competitions.
Before the 1996/97 season, Beckham was handed the No. 10 jersey, a number previously worn by Mark Hughes. Beckham became a regular starter in the team and hit the headlines after scoring from the halfway line against Wimbledon.
Following an impressive season, which saw United retain the Premier League title, Beckham was voted PFA Young Player of the Year.
In 1998/99, Beckham was given the No. 7 jersey, a number which had previously been worn by iconic players such as George Best, Denis Law and Eric Cantona. It would prove to be a historic year for the club as they secured a historic treble (Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League).
With Roy Keane and Scholes suspended for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, Beckham started in central midfield. With United trailing 1-0 in stoppage time, Beckham took both corners which led to goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 91st and 93rd minutes, respectively.
Beckham finished second to Rivaldo in the European Player of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
Beckham would win another four Premier League titles in five seasons but his relationship with Ferguson began to deteriorate due to his celebrity status outside of soccer.
Unable to retain his spot in the first team in 2002/03, speculation mounted about Beckham's future at the club after he turned up to training with stitches above his eye. It was believed Ferguson had launched a boot in the direction of Beckham after a defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Despite being pictured signing a Barcelona jersey for a fan with his name on the back of it, rumours continued to circulate about a move to Real Madrid. These intensified after Beckham scored two goals in United's Champions League Round-of-16 tie against the Spanish giants.
