david beckham biography

David Beckham

Retired soccer star David Beckham played for Manchester United, England, Real Madrid, and the L.A. Galaxy. He is married to singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham.

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1975-present

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Quick facts, early years, soccer career, mls team owner and other ventures, wife and children, netflix docuseries, who is david beckham.

A phenom almost from the moment he could first kick a soccer ball, David Beckham fulfilled his childhood dreams of playing for Manchester United, a legendary English team, beginning at age 18. He became a full-time starter in 1995 and remained with the club until 2003. Next, the soccer star played for Spain’s Real Madrid, before signing a five-year contract with the L.A. Galaxy, an MLS team, in 2007. Beckham retired from his professional playing days in 2013. Today, he is a part-owner of Inter Miami CF, among other business interests. He and his wife, Victoria Beckham , have been married since 1999.

FULL NAME: David Robert Joseph Beckham BORN: May 2, 1975 BIRTHPLACE: Leytonstone, London, England SPOUSE: Victoria Beckham (1999-present) CHILDREN: Brooklyn , Romeo, Cruz, and Harper ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Born on May 2, 1975, in the Leytonstone area of London, David Robert Joseph Beckham is the only son of Ted Beckham, an appliance repairman, and Sandra West, a hair stylist. A middle child between two sisters, David grew up with a family of committed fans to Manchester United, England’s legendary soccer franchise.

Young Beckham showed his own promise as a footballer, winning the coveted Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools National Skills competition at 11 years old. His talent soon caught the notice of Manchester United team officials, who asked him to try out for the club’s youth league. By age 16, Beckham had left home and was playing for United’s training division. Two years later, he made the club, and by 1995, he was a full-time starter.

Beckham wasted little time in making a splash on the English soccer landscape. The talented goal scorer was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1997. A year later, he was one of the leading faces of England’s World Cup team. In 1998, Beckham, who’d already signed a deal with Adidas, netted $13 million in endorsement deals.

In 1999, he led Manchester United to the Premier League title, the FA Cup championship, and the Champions League title. Thanks to a last-minute free kick against Greece in 2001, England qualified for the 2002 World Cup. That same year, Beckham signed a three-year $22 million contract to remain with Manchester United.

But Beckham’s time with United proved to be shorter than anyone thought. In 2003, he was acquired by Real Madrid in a stunner of a deal that brought to light Beckham’s growing rift with Manchester’s then-manager Alex Ferguson.

Spanish soccer fans were thrilled to have their archrival join their team. Americans, meanwhile, were just getting to know him with the release of the 2002 movie Bend It Like Beckham , which follows a young girl who bucks her family’s traditional ways in order to play soccer.

America’s fascination with Beckham and his decade of dominance culminated in 2007 when the soccer great moved across the Atlantic on a reported five-year, $250 million deal with the L.A. Galaxy. The relocation was as much about giving Victoria Beckham ’s career a boost (she helped drive the decision to move to the States) as it was to give America’s MLS a shot in the arm. Within 48 hours of the signing, the Galaxy sold more than 5,000 season tickets.

Beckham’s career after moving to the United States, however, was a rocky one. He was beset by injuries, spraining a knee ligament his first season in Los Angeles, and later missed out on a chance to play in the 2010 World Cup because of an Achilles tendon injury.

On May 16, 2013—just days after winning a title with French club Paris Saint-Germain—the 38-year-old Beckham announced that he would retire at the end of the season, ending his 21-year soccer career.

“I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family. I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realize my dreams,” Beckham said in a statement. “I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period... If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realized those dreams.”

In 2014, Beckham and other investors announced plans to create a new MLS team in Miami. “This is an exciting time for myself, my family, my friends and partners, and it is something we are really looking forward to bringing to Miami,” Beckham said that February. He is the first former athlete to become a team owner in modern MLS history. Inter Miami CF officially launched in January 2018 and had its first game in March 2020. In July 2023, Inter Miami signed all-time great Lionel Messi to the team.

Dating back to his soccer days, Beckham has been involved in various charity work. Most notably, he has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005.

Beckham has been described as one of the world’s wealthiest athletes, with a reported net worth of $450 million . He and his wife, Victoria Beckham, have a combined net worth of $514 million.

Beckham has amassed his fortune from his time as an athlete, as well as his successful business ventures off the field. Forbes estimated he earned $255 million during his six years playing for the MLS (including endorsements and licensing). At the time of his retirement, he was the 7th highest paid athlete of all time, according to The Mirror , with a reported total earnings of $800 million.

An in-demand influencer for years, the soccer star has signed deals with companies such as Adidas, Haig Clubn whisky, Armani, and PepsiCo. In 2012, he started an underwear line for the clothing brand H&M. As part of Beckham’s marketing campaign with H&M, six 10-foot statues of the soccer star in his underwear were installed in New York City; others were installed in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Beckham reportedly boasts a $44 million art collection and spends an average of $46,000 per day on his hobbies, which includes collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia.

David Beckham has been married to Victoria Beckham , also known as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, since July 4, 1999. Even before meeting her , Beckham predicted to friends that he would one day marry her after watching the 1997 movie Spice World , telling them, “See that one there? I’m going to marry that one.” They met at a Manchester United game in 1997, and the two quickly fell in love. The couple tied the knot at a lavish $800,000 wedding at a castle outside of Dublin.

The couple learned they were pregnant with their first child just before a World Cup match in 1998, which prompted Beckham’s reply: “Oh blimey, you couldn’t have picked a worst time.” Their son Brooklyn Beckham was born in March 1999. The couple have three more children: sons Romeo and Cruz, born in September 2002 and February 2005, respectively; and daughter Harper, born in July 2011.

In 2020, David and Victoria Beckham signed a $20 million contract to create a docuseries with Netflix about their lives. The series, called Beckham , premiered in early October 2023, drawing significant attention from fans of the soccer star, while also drawing him nearly a half million new fans on social media. The documentary included several revelations about the Beckham couple, including how they fell in love, details about their lives together, and how they responded to negative chants from soccer fans.

One of the most attention-grabbing moments of Beckham was one in which the couple directly addressed rumors that David reportedly cheated on his wife with model Rebecca Loos (who wasn’t identified by name in the series) while playing in Spain in 2003, which he has vehemently denied. “It was a nightmare,” Victoria said . “It was an absolute circus—and everyone loves it when the circus comes to town, right? Unless you’re in it.” Roos said she endured many “disgusting” remarks on social media as a result of the Netflix series.

• If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realized those dreams.
• The spotlight will always be on me, but it’s something I’m learning to live with as the years go by.
• I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family. I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realize my dreams.
• I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period.

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David Beckham (born May 2, 1975, Leytonstone, East London , England) is an English football (soccer) player who gained international fame for his on-field play as well as for his highly publicized personal life.

At age 11 Beckham won a football contest, and as a teenager he competed on Manchester United ’s youth squad, leading it to a national championship in 1992. Three years later he began playing with the professional team in league competition, and during the 1995–96 season he helped Manchester United win the league title and the Football Association (FA) Cup. Beckham attracted national attention in August 1996 when he scored a goal from the halfway line (a feat roughly equivalent to a golfer’s hole in one). The following year Manchester United successfully defended its league title, and Beckham was voted Young Player of the Year. In the 1998–99 season Manchester United won the league title, the FA Cup, and the European Cup. Beckham was named best midfielder and Most Valuable Player. Considered one of the sport’s elite players, he was perhaps best known for his free kicks and crosses; the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham paid homage to his kicking ability. After helping Manchester United win three more league titles (2000, 2001, and 2003), he left the team in 2003 to join the Spanish football club Real Madrid . Four years later he signed a record-setting deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States . In October 2008 Beckham signed to play with Italian football powerhouse AC Milan during the MLS off-season. In 2011 he helped the Galaxy win an MLS Cup title. The Galaxy won a second MLS Cup title in 2012, and Beckham left the team at the end of the season. In 2013 he joined the French first-league team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and PSG won the French domestic title in his one season with the team. Beckham retired from football soon after winning his championship with PSG.

In 1996 Beckham first played on England’s national team, in a World Cup qualifying match. At the 1998 World Cup he drew much criticism after he was ejected from a game for kicking an opponent. England lost the match and was eliminated from the competition. In 2000 Beckham was made captain of the national team. At the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, England was defeated in the quarterfinals. After the 2006 tournament, Beckham stepped down as captain, and he was later dropped from England’s national team. He was recalled to the team in 2007, and the following year he posted his 100th international appearance, becoming the fifth person to do so in the history of English football. Beckham was poised to be the first Englishman to appear in four World Cups, but he tore his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan in March 2010 and was ruled out for the 2010 tournament. A healthy but older Beckham was not selected for the English side at the 2012 European Championship , and he finished his national career with 115 international games played, the most in his country’s history for a non-goalkeeper.

After his playing days ended, Beckham remained involved in soccer. He notably was the owner and president of the MLS team Inter Miami CF, which made its debut in 2020.

In 1999 Beckham married singer Victoria Adams , best known as “Posh Spice” of the Spice Girls pop group, in a lavish ceremony. The intense media attention to the couple increased Beckham’s popularity around the world, as did his style of dress and ever-changing hairstyles. In 2003 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He released an eponymous memoir in 2014.

David Beckham was the first English football player to win league titles in four countries: England, Spain, the United States and France. His career spanned 20 years with some of the most successful clubs in the world: Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain and the England team, which he captained for six years.

Since retiring from football in 2013, Beckham has worked with world-leading brands including Adidas, Tudor, Hugo Boss, Stella Artois and Sands. In 2018, he became a founder and co-owner of Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF, the culmination of his lifelong ambition to own a football club and the start of an exciting new chapter.

In 2019, David founded the content studio, Studio 99. The studio operates both editorial and commercial production, and specialises in developing and producing premium documentary features, series and formats for global platforms and networks, including Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. Studio 99’s recent work has included the Emmy-nominated documentary series “BECKHAM” (Netflix) and the compelling documentaries “99”, about Manchester United's extraordinary treble-winning season, and “Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything” (both for Amazon Prime Video). The studio also produces commercial content for globally recognised brands such as Nespresso, EA Sports, Tudor and Maserati.

In February 2022, Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the second largest licensing company in the world and a global brand owner, development and entertainment company, announced a strategic partnership with David Beckham to co-own and manage Beckham’s global brand. In connection with the partnership, David Beckham became a shareholder in ABG and joined a roster of ABG’s growing entertainment portfolio that includes some of the world’s most celebrated athletes and iconic sports brands, such as Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O’Neal, and Sports Illustrated.

Throughout his life, Beckham has been committed to supporting charities and projects that seek to drive change for the better. He has recently been appointed Ambassador for the King’s Foundation, which looks to nature and tradition to build thriving, sustainable communities and transform lives by offering education programmes that protect traditional skills and knowledge for future generations. He has worked with UNICEF for nearly 20 years as a Goodwill Ambassador, a role that promotes and protects the rights of the world’s most vulnerable children. In 2015, David launched the 7 Fund with UNICEF—a unique partnership to give vulnerable and disadvantaged children the opportunity to reach their full potential. He also campaigns for Malaria No More, using his platform to ensure the world and its leaders hear the urgent message of the malaria fight. Additionally, in his position as Ambassadorial President of the British Fashion Council (BFC), David helps promote and nurture British fashion and the UK’s creative industries.

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David beckham: it took making a docuseries for me to feel ok again (guest column).

Creating 'Beckham' addressed mental-health wounds so deep I'm still not sure I'll ever be fully rid of them, Beckham writes.

By David Beckham

David Beckham

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When I retired in 2013, people started asking me to make a documentary about my life and career.

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The moment I met director Fisher Stevens, I knew he was the right person to tell my story. He didn’t just want to talk about football or being married to a Spice Girl — he came with a different perspective and looked at my life through a wider lens . I could tell from our early conversations that he wanted to delve beneath the surface and understand me on a deeper, human level.

In all honesty, there were times when Fisher’s raw approach made me feel uncomfortable and a little bit nervous. But I knew that embracing this discomfort was a necessary part of the process. I told him that I only wanted to do this once, and I wanted to do it properly.

I must admit I wasn’t fully prepared for the depth of commitment and emotional energy this process would require. It was challenging and at times, hard. I spent over 50 hours with Fisher, and every time I saw a session with him in my diary, I would try and come up with ways to get out of it! After each interview I found myself needing time alone to decompress. Reflecting on both the highs and lows of my life and career was — at times — mentally and emotionally draining.

I realized that I had pushed so many of these feelings and emotions aside for years. I had always been taught to hold everything in and put on a brave face. This was the first time I had truly confronted some pretty monumental moments in my life, and it was therapeutic.

Two decades ago, questions like “Are you okay?” or “How do you feel?” were rarely asked. Thankfully, today we have the opportunity to openly talk about these issues, which should never be taken for granted. I hope anyone struggling today knows that they don’t have to carry the pressure alone.

I’m not quite sure how we got through those difficult times. I made a mistake in the 1998 World Cup, and I spent the next four years being shunned in my own country and received abuse at every game. Obviously I am human and you take things personally, but I felt the most guilt for the pain it caused my family.

I wouldn’t say that making this documentary gave me closure because I still feel pain from those moments. But it did allow me to forgive myself and let go of some of that guilt. After the premiere , my mum pulled me aside and reassured me, “You don’t need to feel bad anymore.” Those words make me feel emotional to this day.

It’s been almost a year since Beckham was released, and the response has exceeded my expectations — whether it’s people that I have known for a really long time coming up to me to say that they had no idea what I had been through, or hearing from people of how nostalgic it made them for the ’90s and their own memories.

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David beckham's soccer career timeline: teams, world cups & retirement.

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25 Fantastic Soccer Movies & TV Shows

10 best netflix sports documentaries, according to imdb, netflix's denzel washington replacement makes upcoming remake of his 2004 thriller way more exciting.

• The Netflix docuseries Beckham offers a comprehensive look at David Beckham's soccer career and personal life, including interviews with coaches, teammates, and his wife Victoria Beckham.
• Beckham's soccer accomplishments are remarkable, with over a dozen trophies won and a reputation for technical skill and ball control that is synonymous with his name.
• While Beckham faced challenges and controversies throughout his career, including a rocky start in the World Cup and a deteriorating relationship with manager Alex Ferguson, his impact on soccer cannot be overstated.

The Netflix docuseries Beckham provides a first-hand look at David Beckham's soccer career. The revealing documentary on Beckham also takes audiences behind the scenes of his life on and off the field. His coaches, teammates, and family, including his wife Victoria Beckham, provide a complete look at the player. The media attention created by Posh and Becks was unprecedented at the time, bolstered by their celebrity and combined appeal. However, an overview of Beckham's life and career must begin with his accomplishments on the soccer pitch.

Beckham won over a dozen trophies during his time as a professional, suiting up for teams across Europe and in the United States. He became one of the preeminent players of his generation both at the club level and in international play. In a sport where the greats are known by one name — Pele, Messi, Ronaldo — Beckham's became synonymous with incredible technical skill and masterful control of the ball. His contributions to soccer can't be overstated.

David Beckham's Professional Soccer Career Explained

Beckham grew up in a family that were diehard fans of the English Premier League's Manchester United. He played for several youth teams as a child and attended camps owned by professional clubs. Initially overlooked because of his small stature, Beckham developed into one of the best midfielders of his generation. He signed for Manchester United as a trainee in 1991 and made his professional debut a year later. It kicked off a 20-year career that saw him win 19 trophies around the world.

Manchester United

Beckham made his first team debut with Manchester United on September 23, 1992, as a substitute. Under manager Alex Ferguson, Beckham began to progress alongside other young players from United's academy. The team won the Premier League and FA Cup in 1996, giving Beckham his first silverware. Beckham's stock continued to rise as he became a major component of one of soccer's greatest teams. The 1998-1999 season saw Manchester United win the treble — the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League — in unprecedented fashion.

Despite winning the Premier League for a third consecutive season in 2001, Manchester United began to fracture from the inside. Beckham's relationship with Ferguson deteriorated, due in part to Beckham's highly publicized marriage to Victoria Beckham and the media attention that came with it. The 2002-2003 season was his last in Manchester, and he finished with 61 goals in the Premier League and won six league titles.

Real Madrid

Beckham moved to Real Madrid of Spain's La Liga in the summer of 2003. The transfer fee was €37 million, and Beckham signed a four-year contract. He joined a star-studded squad and quickly became a factor, scoring five times in his first 16 matches. The midfielder did not experience the same team success at Real Madrid as at Manchester United. The Spanish team won just a single league title during Beckham's tenure. The player tallied 20 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid.

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Los Angeles Galaxy

Beckham's move to Major League Soccer in the U.S. was confirmed in January 2007. The soccer icon immediately raised the league's profile when he agreed to a five-year contract worth $32.5 million. It was an injury-plagued debut season, and the Galaxy failed to make the playoffs during Beckham's second year in the league.

Beckham returned to the Galaxy in 2009 after a loan to Italian side AC Milan. The midfielder helped L.A. reach the MLS Cup final, losing to Real Salt Lake. After spending another season with Milan, he returned to the Galaxy, where he guided the team to back-to-back MLS Cup victories in 2011 and 2012.

The L.A. Galaxy loaned Beckham to AC Milan of Italy's Serie A league in January 2009. By February, Beckham sought a permanent move to Milan in an effort to prepare for the 2010 World Cup. However, the Italian team refused to match the Galaxy's asking price. The midfielder returned to Milan following the MLS season for another loan spell. But disaster struck when he tore his Achilles tendon, costing him a spot in the 2010 World Cup and the MLS season. In total, he scored two goals in 33 career games for AC Milan.

Paris Saint-Germain

Beckham announced the 2012 MLS Cup would be his final game for the Galaxy, opting out of the final year of his contract. He signed a five-month contract with Paris Saint-Germain of France's Ligue 1 in January 2013. PSG captured the league title in Beckham's first season on the squad. The star revealed that the 2012-2013 season would be his last as a professional player. He appeared in 14 games at PSG but did not score any goals.

David Beckham's World Cup History

Beckham made his international debut for England in 1996, appearing in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match. He would go on to represent his home in three World Cup tournaments, missing out on a potential fourth due to injury in 2010. Despite leading the team as captain in over 50 games, Beckham's international career was marked by controversy, underwhelming performances, and a lack of success on the biggest stage.

1998 World Cup

Beckham's first World Cup got off to a rocky start when manager Glenn Hoddle suggested his star player lacked focus. After not starting the first two games, Beckham scored in England's final game in the group stage. In the knockout round, Beckham received a red card against Argentina after retaliating following a hard foul. Argentina went on to eliminate England on penalty kicks.

English fans and the press were relentless in their criticism of Beckham. Many blamed him for the loss, taking things as far as sending Beckham death threats and hanging an effigy in London. The abuse from England fans continued for years as Beckham faced heckling over the '98 World Cup during the 2000 Euro tournament.

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2002 World Cup

Beckham got payback over Argentina in the 2002 World Cup by scoring the winning goal in the countries' group stage game. England defeated Denmark in the next round, avenging their loss from the last tournament. However, eventual champions from Brazil knocked out England in the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.

2006 World Cup

The 2006 World Cup saw Beckham and England get off to a hot start. Serving as captain, the midfielder played a role in goals during England's first two games and scored during the second-round match against Ecuador. England's World Cup dreams were dashed in the next round, when they lost to Portugal on penalties. An injured Beckham did not make it out of the first half.

David Beckham's Retirement Decision Explained

Beckham officially retired from soccer in 2013, completing a 20-year career as one of the most recognizable and accomplished players in the sport. In the Netflix documentary Beckham , he explained why he chose to retire despite some supporters believing he could still contribute on the field. He revealed it wasn't a lack of passion or that he'd fallen out of love with the sport. Instead, Beckham's injuries finally caught up with him. "I felt every time that I was getting out of bed, I was aching, I was hurting," Beckham said. He added, " So coming to that decision, it was actually a really tough one. "

Since retiring, Beckham has remained present both in pop culture and the sport of soccer. As part of his original MLS contract, he had the option to purchase an expansion team for $25 million. Beckham led the investment group that eventually founded Inter Miami. The team began MLS play in 2020 and made international headlines when it signed global icon Lionel Messi in 2023. Beckham has also made cameo appearances in the films King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

How Good Was David Beckham

There's no arguing Beckham's impact on soccer, whether it's what he accomplished at Manchester United or his contributions to growing MLS. He was a key component of Manchester United's dominance in the late '90s and early 2000s. It was at United that Beckham began cementing his legacy as one of soccer's best free-kick specialists. His bending shots became so recognizable that they entered pop culture with the 2002 feel-good sports movie Bend It Like Beckham . Beckham wasn't a flashy dribbler. He was criticized for his lack of pace and lapses in discipline. But his vision, passing, and crossing ability made him one of the best players of his era.

Beckham finished his professional career with 129 goals in 719 total games. He won six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, two MLS Cups, and the Champions League, La Liga, and Ligue 1 once. Twice he won the FIFA World Player of the Year Silver Award as the second-best player in the game. In 2004, soccer legend Pele named Beckham on his list of the 100 greatest living players. There are hours of highlights available online demonstrating his talents. However, to get the complete picture, Beckham provides a unique look at how Beckham became an icon.