David Beckham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Beckham
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Beckham in 2021
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| Born |
David Robert Joseph Beckham
2 May 1975 Leytonstone, London, England
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| Agent | Simon Fuller (XIX Entertainment) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Children | 4, including Brooklyn and Romeo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Nicola Peltz (daughter-in-law) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Association football career
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Sir David Robert Joseph Beckham is a famous English former professional footballer. He is also the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City. David Beckham was known for his amazing passing, crossing skills, and incredible set-piece goals. Many people consider him one of the best players of his time.
During his career, Beckham won 19 major trophies. He is the only English player to win league titles in four different countries: England, Spain, the United States, and France. He played for top clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain. He also proudly represented his country, England, making 115 appearances and serving as captain for six years.
Beyond football, David Beckham is a global ambassador for the sport and a well-known British cultural icon. He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2005, helping children around the world. In November 2025, he was honored with a knighthood by King Charles III for his contributions to sports and charity.
Contents
- David Beckham: Football Star and Global Icon
- Personal Life
- Career Statistics
- Honours
- David Beckham quotes
- See also
David Beckham: Football Star and Global Icon
Early Life and Football Dreams
David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 in Leytonstone, London, England. His parents were huge fans of Manchester United and often traveled far to watch their games. David inherited this love for football. He always knew he wanted to be a footballer. When teachers asked about his future job, he would always say "a footballer!"
He played for a local youth team called Ridgeway Rovers. He also attended one of Bobby Charlton's Soccer Schools, which helped him develop his skills. At 14, David signed schoolboy forms with Manchester United, beginning his journey to becoming a professional player.
Amazing Club Career
Manchester United Years
David Beckham joined Manchester United as a trainee in 1991. He was part of a talented group of young players, often called "Fergie's Fledglings," who won the FA Youth Cup in 1992. He made his first team debut in 1992 and signed as a professional in 1993.
Beckham quickly became a key player for United. He helped them win the Premier League title and FA Cup in the 1995–96 season. In 1996, he became famous for scoring an amazing goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon. He then took over the famous number 7 shirt, previously worn by legends like George Best.
The 1998–99 season was incredible for Beckham and Manchester United. They won the "treble" – the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. Beckham played a vital role, especially in the Champions League final where his corner kicks led to both of United's late goals. He continued to help United win more league titles, but eventually had some disagreements with his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, which led to his departure. He played 265 league games for United, scoring 62 goals.
Moving to Real Madrid
In 2003, David Beckham moved to Spanish club Real Madrid for a big transfer fee. He joined a team full of "Galácticos" – famous star players like Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. Beckham chose the number 23 shirt, inspired by basketball star Michael Jordan.
He quickly settled in, scoring in his first league game. His arrival also created a huge marketing buzz, especially in Asia. Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup shortly after he joined. During his time there, he sometimes faced disciplinary actions, receiving yellow and red cards, and once apologized for intentionally getting booked in an England match. In his final season with Real Madrid in 2006–07, he helped the team win the La Liga title.
American Adventure with LA Galaxy
In 2007, Beckham made a historic move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club LA Galaxy in the United States. This transfer brought a lot of attention to football in America. His contract included a special option to buy an MLS expansion team later on.
His debut for the Galaxy was a huge event, attracting many celebrities. Despite an ankle injury, he made his league debut in August 2007. He scored his first goal for the team from a free kick in a SuperLiga semi-final. While some fans were initially unhappy about his loan spells to European clubs, Beckham helped the Galaxy become very successful. He led them to win the MLS Cup in 2011 and again in 2012.
European Loans and Final Club
To stay fit for England international games, Beckham had two loan spells with Italian club AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. He played alongside other world-class players and even returned to play against his former club, Manchester United, at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, during his second loan with Milan, he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, which meant he missed the 2010 World Cup.
After recovering, he returned to LA Galaxy and continued to play well, helping them win more trophies. In 2013, David Beckham signed a five-month contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain. He famously donated his entire salary from PSG to local children's charities. He helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title, making him the first English player to win league titles in four different countries. He retired from professional football in May 2013 after a 20-year career.
Playing for England
World Cup Moments
David Beckham made his debut for the England national team in 1996. He played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and scored his first goal for England with a fantastic free kick against Colombia. However, he received a red card in a match against Argentina, which led to England's elimination. He faced strong criticism from some fans and media after this incident.
Captaining His Country
In 2000, Beckham was made England captain. He played a crucial role in helping England qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring a memorable free kick against Greece in the final qualifying game. At the 2002 World Cup, he scored a winning penalty against Argentina, helping England get revenge for 1998. He also played in UEFA Euro 2004.
At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Beckham continued to make an impact, assisting goals and scoring from a free kick against Ecuador. After the tournament, he stepped down as captain, having led England 58 times. He was later recalled to the squad and earned his 100th cap for England in 2008, becoming only the fifth Englishman to reach this milestone. He holds the record for the most caps for an English outfield player with 115 appearances.
Beyond the Pitch: Style and Business
His Unique Style
David Beckham became a fashion icon, known for his changing hairstyles and stylish looks. He and his wife, Victoria, were often called "Posh and Becks" by the media. He was also known as a "gay icon" for his popularity and support among diverse communities. His many endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Pepsi made him one of the most recognizable athletes globally.
Business Ventures
In 2005, Beckham started the David Beckham Academy football schools in London and Los Angeles, which later closed. A major part of his post-playing career is his role as president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, an MLS team that began playing in 2020. He also became a co-owner of English non-league club Salford City in 2019, joining his former Manchester United teammates.
Giving Back: Charity Work
David Beckham is a dedicated philanthropist. In 2013, he donated his entire £3.4 million salary from Paris Saint-Germain to two children's charities in France. He is a founding member of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council, helping to fight malaria. He also designed a Paddington Bear statue for charity and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005, launching his own "7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund" in 2015.
Beckham in Films and TV
While David Beckham didn't personally appear in the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham (except in old footage), he did make cameo appearances in the films Goal! (2005) and Goal II: Living the Dream. He also appeared in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, carrying the Olympic flame by speedboat. More recently, he featured in the 2023 Netflix documentary series Beckham, which explored his life and career.
Career Highlights and Awards
David Beckham's career was filled with many achievements. He was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 1999 and twice for FIFA World Player of the Year. He was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021. In November 2025, he was knighted by King Charles III.
Personal Life
David Beckham married Victoria Adams, famously known as "Posh Spice" from the pop group Spice Girls, in 1999. They have four children: sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, and daughter Harper. The family is often in the public eye.
David has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which means he likes things to be very neat and organized. He is also a staunch monarchist and showed his respect by queuing for 12 hours to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state in 2022. Since 2020, he has been actively involved in beekeeping and farming at his home in the Cotswolds. He has over 65 tattoos on his body, many of which are dedicated to his family.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United | 1992–93 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |
| 1993–94 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1994–95 | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 1995–96 | Premier League | 33 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 40 | 8 | ||
| 1996–97 | Premier League | 36 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 49 | 12 | |
| 1997–98 | Premier League | 37 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 11 | |
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 34 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 9 | |
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 31 | 6 | – | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 48 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 31 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 9 | |
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 28 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 16 | |
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 31 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 3 | – | 52 | 11 | ||
| Total | 265 | 62 | 24 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 83 | 15 | 10 | 1 | 394 | 85 | ||
| Preston North End (loan) | 1994–95 | Third Division | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | |
| Real Madrid | 2003–04 | La Liga | 32 | 3 | 5 | 2 | – | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 46 | 7 | |
| 2004–05 | La Liga | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | 0 | – | 38 | 4 | |||
| 2005–06 | La Liga | 31 | 3 | 6 | 1 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 44 | 5 | |||
| 2006–07 | La Liga | 23 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | 6 | 0 | – | 31 | 4 | |||
| Total | 116 | 13 | 13 | 4 | – | 28 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 159 | 20 | |||
| LA Galaxy | 2007 | MLS | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | ||
| 2008 | MLS | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |||
| 2009 | MLS | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 4 | 0 | 15 | 2 | |||
| 2010 | MLS | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 3 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |||
| 2011 | MLS | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 | ||
| 2012 | MLS | 24 | 7 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 33 | 8 | ||
| Total | 98 | 18 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 124 | 20 | |||
| AC Milan (loan) | 2008–09 | Serie A | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | – | 20 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | Serie A | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | – | 13 | 0 | |||
| Total | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 | 0 | – | 33 | 2 | ||||
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2012–13 | Ligue 1 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 523 | 97 | 39 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 124 | 18 | 31 | 3 | 729 | 129 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1996 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2002 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | |
| Total | 115 | 17 | |
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Beckham goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 June 1998 | Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France | 17 |  Colombia |
2–0 | 2–0 | 1998 FIFA World Cup |
| 2 | 24 March 2001 | Anfield, Liverpool, England | 39 |  Finland |
2–1 | 2–1 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 25 May 2001 | Pride Park, Derby England | 41 |  Mexico |
3–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 4 | 6 June 2001 | Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece | 42 |  Greece |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5 | 6 October 2001 | Old Trafford, Manchester, England | 46 | Greece |
2–2 | 2–2 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 10 November 2001 | Old Trafford, Manchester, England | 47 |  Sweden |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 7 | 7 June 2002 | Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan | 51 |  Argentina |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup |
| 8 | 12 October 2002 | Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia | 55 |  Slovakia |
1–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualification |
| 9 | 16 October 2002 | St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England | 56 |  North Macedonia |
1–1 | 2–2 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualification |
| 10 | 29 March 2003 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 58 |  Liechtenstein |
2–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualification |
| 11 | 2 April 2003 | Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England | 59 |  Turkey |
2–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualification |
| 12 | 20 August 2003 | Portman Road, Ipswich, England | 61 |  Croatia |
1–0 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 13 | 6 September 2003 | Skopje City Stadium, Skopje, North Macedonia | 62 | North Macedonia |
2–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualification |
| 14 | 18 August 2004 | St James' Park, Newcastle, England | 73 |  Ukraine |
1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 15 | 9 October 2004 | Old Trafford, Manchester, England | 76 |  Wales |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 16 | 30 March 2005 | St James' Park, Newcastle, England | 80 |  Azerbaijan |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 17 | 25 June 2006 | Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart, Germany | 93 |  Ecuador |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup |
Honours
Manchester United
- Premier League: 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03
- FA Cup: 1995–96, 1998–99
- FA Charity Shield: 1996, 1997
- UEFA Champions League: 1998–99
- Intercontinental Cup: 1999
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2006–07
- Supercopa de España: 2003
LA Galaxy
- MLS Cup: 2011, 2012
- Western Conference (regular season): 2009, 2010, 2011
- Western Conference (playoffs): 2009, 2011, 2012
- Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011
Paris Saint-Germain
- Ligue 1: 2012–13
England
- Tournoi de France: 1997
Individual
- Ballon d'Or runner-up: 1999
- FIFA World Player of the Year silver award: 1999, 2001
- Most assists in the Premier League: 1997–98, 1999–2000 (shared), 2000–01
- Premier League Player of the Month: August 1996
- PFA Young Player of the Year: 1996–97
- FWA Tribute Award: 2008
- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 1996–97
- England Player of the Year: 2003
- ESM Team of the Year: 1998–99
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 1998–99
- UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year: 1998–99
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2001, 2003
- Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2001–02):
- Domestic & Overall Team of the Decade
- Goal of the Decade (vs. Wimbledon, 17 August 1996)
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year: 2001
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award: 2010
- Real Madrid Player of the Year: 2005–06
- PFA Team of the Year: 1996–97 Premier League, 1997–98 Premier League, 1998–99 Premier League, 1999–2000 Premier League
- FIFA 100
- ESPY Awards:
- Best Male Soccer Player: 2004
- Best MLS Player: 2008, 2012
- English Football Hall of Fame: 2008
- Premier League Hall of Fame: 2021
- MLS Best XI: 2011
- MLS All-Star Game: 2008, 2011, 2012
- MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award: 2011
- PFA Team of the Century (1997–2007): 2007
- International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) Legends
- UEFA President's Award: 2018
Orders and special awards
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador, 2005–present
- "Britain's Greatest Ambassador" – 100 Greatest Britons awards
- The Celebrity 100, number 15 – Forbes, 2007
- Number 1 on the list of the 40 most influential men under the age of 40 in the UK – Arena, 2007
- Time 100, 2008
- Gold Blue Peter badge winner, 2001
- Do Something Athlete Award, 2011
- AC Milan Hall of Fame
Orders
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, 2003
- Knight Bachelor by King Charles III, 2025
Records
- First Englishman to win league titles in four countries (England, Spain, United States, France)
- First England player to score at three FIFA World Cups
- First British footballer to play 100 UEFA Champions League games
- Most free-kicks scored in the Premier League: 18
- Most free-kicks scored in a Premier League season: 5 in 2000-01
David Beckham quotes
- "I have always believed that if you want to achieve anything special in life you have to work, work, and then work some more."
- "I don't have time for hobbies. At the end of the day, I treat my job as a hobby. It's something I love doing."
- "The secret to my success is practice!"
See also
In Spanish: David Beckham para niños
