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David Beckham

David Beckham

In recent decades, David and Victoria Beckham have remained one of the most famous power couples in Hollywood. However, before his marriage to the former Spice Girls member, David Beckham was already a household name in England as a Manchester United winger. In fact, when people think of David Beckham, the most iconic moments are his incredible set pieces under the red shirt. Over the years, David established himself as one of the most talented footballers England has ever boasted, and his legacy continues to live on after he retired from the field in 2013. Without further ado, let's revisit the memorable milestones in David Beckham's life and career.

photo 1/20 © Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

David's childhood

David's childhood

David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975, to Sandra Georgina and David Edward Beckham. At a young age, he already nourished a passion to become a footballer. His parents were also fanatical Manchester United fans who are willing to travel 200 miles just to watch the club playing, and their love for the club was passed on to David.

photo 2/20 © Tim P. Whitby

Marriage to Victoria

Marriage to Victoria

David Beckham of Manchester United and Victoria Adams of the Spice Girls were one of the most popular couples in the celebrity world after their 1997 courtship. They got married a little under two years later, and are having a dream-like and happy family with their four children.

photo 3/20 © Dave Hogan

Youth club

Youth club

David Beckham's enthusiasm for soccer began when he was a kid. The youthful Becks was regularly seen playing soccer at Ridgeway Park. Beckham, who never gave up on his aim to become a professional soccer player, spent his childhood career playing for Ridgeway Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brimsdown Rovers until landing a Youth Training Scheme with Manchester United in 1991.

photo 4/20 © Shaun Botterill

Golden Era

Golden Era

Beckham grew up a Manchester United fan, so it was only natural that he began his career path with the legendary English club. He debuted on his first team in 1992 and was a member of the club's golden era, reaching the peak of his career in 1999 when he helped The Red Devils win the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League.

photo 5/20 © Mirrorpix

Manchester United legend

Manchester United legend

Part of David Beckham will be forever Red. Throughout his career at Manchester United, David established himself as a legend, known for his range of passing, vision, crossing ability and bending free-kicks. Totally, the winger amassed 265 first-team appearances, scoring 62 goals for the club.

photo 6/20 © Shaun Botterill

 Preston North End

Preston North End

Beckham spent part of the 1994-1995 season in the Premier League on loan at Preston North End to get additional experience. In his five appearances for the club, he scored twice with remarkable results. Shortly after, Alex Ferguson returned him to Manchester United, where he made his Premier League debut for the champions.

photo 7/20 © GETTY_IMAGES

England debut

England debut

For many soccer players throughout the world, the opportunity to represent their nation is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon them. Beckham made his England National Team debut on September 1, 1996, in a World Cup qualifying match against Moldova. He gained 115 caps for the Three Lions during his lifetime.

photo 8/20 © Thierry Orban/Sygma

1998 FIFA World Cup's red card

1998 FIFA World Cup's red card

Beckham's most infamous chapter was the 1998 FIFA World Cup. All eyes were on Beckham and his burgeoning career as he competed in his first international competition. Beckham was sent off with a red card during England's Round 16 match against Argentina, costing them the opportunity to progress in the tournament.

photo 9/20 © David Cannon

Free kick against Greece

Free kick against Greece

David Beckham scored one of the most memorable goals in his career, and arguably in England's history after his right-foot curl that soared around the wall and into the top corner of Greece's goal. The dead-ball maestro's spectacular moment was the key to England securing their place at the 2002 World Cup.

photo 10/20 © Danny Gohlke/Bongarts

FIFA World Cup 2002

FIFA World Cup 2002

Continuing his rising trajectory, Beckham captained the England National Team to a fairly victorious 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign in Japan and South Korea. During the competition, Becks was able to exact revenge on Argentina for what happened 4 years ago by scoring the game-winning goal and knocking them out.

photo 11/20 © Horacio Villalobos

Free kick against Everton

Free kick against Everton

Beckham again proved why he might arguably be the greatest dead-ball maestro of all time. During the 2001 match between Manchester United and Everton, the number 7 took on a masterpiece that curled into the top left. The goal was so meaningful because it was David's last free-kick score for the Manchester club before signing with Real Madrid in the summer.

photo 12/20 © Matthew Peters/Manchester United

Euro 2004

Euro 2004

The legendary footballer stayed in his position as the captain in Euro 2004, but the national team failed to win the championship. England was eliminated from the competition after losing to France in the quarterfinals and then to Portugal in the semifinals.

photo 13/20 © Sandra Behne

Real Madrid signing

Real Madrid signing

Beckham was signed to La Liga champions Real Madrid in the summer of 2003 for a cost of €37 million, despite reports that he would attend Spanish rivals Barcelona. Beckham chose the number 23 instead of his characteristic number 7 to pay respect to Chicago Bulls jersey. He was a member of the club until 2007.

photo 14/20 © Sandra Behne

FIFA World Cup 2006

FIFA World Cup 2006

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Beckham was at the peak of his powers. He had a couple of assists during the game and was awarded Man of the Match following England's match against Trinidad & Tobago. Beckham became the first English player to score in three different World Cups. After England's quarter-final loss to Portugal, he announced his resignation as captain.

photo 15/20 © Simono Bruty/Anychance

LA Galaxy

LA Galaxy

The football icon joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in 2007. As a new league in a country where soccer was not so popular, Beckham's relocation to the United States created headlines. Keeping his Real Madrid number 23, Beckham's LA Galaxy uniform sold over 250,000 pieces even before his official presentation to the club.

photo 16/20 © Robert Mora/MLS

AC Milan loan

AC Milan loan

Beckham, aged 33, signed AC Milan on loan in January 2009, with aspirations to return to the MLS later that year. The soccer player played alongside other living legends Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo during his career with the Serie A club. After rejoining the LA Galaxy midway through the 2009-10 season, Beckham was loaned out to AC Milan for the remainder of the season.

photo 17/20 © Luca Ghidoni

Paris journey

Paris journey

Following his second consecutive cup triumph with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham went to Europe to sign a five-month deal with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. During his stint at PSG, he became the 400th player in the club's history and also helped the team win the Ligue 1 championship.

photo 18/20 © John Berry

Final game

Final game

Beckham, 38, announced his departure from professional soccer on May 16, 2013. Two days later, he made his farewell appearance for PSG as captain and helped the team to a 3-1 victory against Brest. A heartbroken Becks was received by a cheering crowd from both the stadium crowd and his squad as he stepped off the pitch.

photo 19/20 © John Berry

Inter Miami

Inter Miami

Beckham built a wealth of over $252 million after rising from modest origins in East London to becoming one of the greatest soccer legends of all time. To cap off his remarkable career, he paid $25 million for an MLS expansion franchise, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, also known as Inter Miami.

photo 20/20 © Mark Brown

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