David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born 2 May 1975) is an English former professional footballer, playing as a midfielder most notably for Manchester United FC and Real Madrid CF; model; philanthropist; and current co-owner of Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer.
Beckham inherited a love of Manchester United from his parents, and growing up aspired to join the club. He joined as a trainee in 1991 and eventually made his debut for the club in 1995, one of the 1990s trainees referred to as "Fergie's Fledglings" for their mentorship by club manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Playing on the right side of the midfield, Beckham quickly established himself as one of the club's most promising young players, and his tenure with Man U contributed to six English Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and one UEFA Champions League win. He was also a consistent member of the English national football team throughout his professional career, including captaining the team from 2000 to 2006. Beckham's style of play would eventually be defined by his skill at passing and his miraculous free kicks.
Declining performance with Man U led to a transfer to Real Madrid in 2003. He played as a Galáctico — high-profile player recruited by then-president Florentino Pérez — until 2007, where a much-publicized acquisition by the LA Galaxy caused a move to Los Angeles. He played the next five seasons with the Galaxy, helping the team clinch two MLS Cups (league championships) in 2011 and 2012. Following a short stint with Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham announced his retirement from the pitch in 2013. Since then, he co-founded Inter Miami CF using an option in his contract from the LA Galaxy, and is also a co-owner of the non-league club Salford City.
He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and in the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.
Beckham wasted no time in becoming a big deal to sports pop culture, and was one of the first pro athletes to really bring in the big bucks with endorsement deals. His relevance to media was also helped immensely by his relationship and 1999 marriage to Victoria "Posh Spice" Adams. Due to their combined fame, "Posh and Becks" became one of the supercouples of 1990s-2000s England, appearing frequently in advertisements and on television, and with several forays into fashion (in fact, Beckham has been considered one of England's foremost metrosexuals) and reality TV). Together, the Beckhams have four children: sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, and daughter Harper. Their married life was the source of intense pop culture focus and tabloid melodrama, not that this was totally unwelcome — "Brand Beckham" has kept the family in the spotlight. David has also announced an intention to develop soccer-related television shows.
David Beckham in media:
Films—Live Action
- He is idolized by the characters of the appropriately titled Bend It Like Beckham, and appears in archive footage.
- Appeared As Himself in Goal and its sequel.
- Has made cameos in Guy Ritchie films:
- The projectionist in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
- Trigger in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Live-Action TV
- Beckham is a four-part docuseries on his life and career, directed by Fisher Stevens.
- Produced and stars in Save Our Squad on Disney+.
Western Animation
- Was frequently lampooned on 2DTV.
- Take Two with Phineas and Ferb: Appears as himself in a 2011 episode.
- Also lampooned (along with several other big-name footballers) in The Champions (2018).
