David Beckham facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids

Sir

David Beckham

OBE

Beckham in 2021

Born

David Robert Joseph Beckham

2 May 1975 (age 50)

Leytonstone, London, England

Occupation

Footballer
businessman

Agent

Simon Fuller (XIX Entertainment)

Height

6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)

Spouse(s)

Victoria Adams

(m. 1999)

Children

4, including Brooklyn and Romeo

Relatives

Nicola Peltz (daughter-in-law)

Association football career

Youth career
Position(s)	Midfielder
	Ridgeway Rovers
1987–1991	Tottenham Hotspur
1989–1991	→ Brimsdown Rovers (loan)
1991–1994	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1992–2003	Manchester United	265	(62)
1995	→ Preston North End (loan)	5	(2)
2003–2007	Real Madrid	116	(13)
2007–2012	LA Galaxy	98	(18)
2009	→ AC Milan (loan)	18	(2)
2010	→ AC Milan (loan)	11	(0)
2013	Paris Saint-Germain	10	(0)
Total		523	(97)
International career
1992–1993	England U18	3	(0)
1994–1996	England U21	9	(0)
1996–2009	England	115	(17)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sir David Robert Joseph Beckham (born 2 May 1975) is an English former professional footballer. He is now the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City. He played mostly as a right winger and was famous for his amazing passing, crossing, and free-kicks.

Beckham is seen as one of the best players of his time and one of the greatest free-kick takers ever. During his career, he won 19 major trophies. He is also the first English player to win league titles in four different countries: England, Spain, the United States, and France.

His career started with Manchester United, where he first played for the main team in 1992 at age 17. With United, he won the Premier League title six times and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He later played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.

For the England team, Beckham played 115 times. He was the team's captain for six years. He played in three FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships.

Beckham is a global icon for football and British culture. He is married to Victoria Beckham, who was a member of the Spice Girls. He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2005. In 2014, it was announced he would own a new football team, Inter Miami, which started playing in 2020.

Early Life and Family

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2 May 1975, in Leytonstone, London, England. His mother, Sandra, was a hairdresser, and his father, Ted, was a kitchen fitter. He has an older sister, Lynne, and a younger sister, Joanne.

His parents were huge fans of Manchester United. They often traveled a long way to watch the team's home games. David loved Manchester United just like his parents. When teachers asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always said, "I want to be a footballer."

He played for a local youth team called Ridgeway Rovers, which his father helped coach. He also had trials with other clubs like Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur. When he was 14, he signed with Manchester United's youth program.

Club Career

Manchester United

Youth Team Success

Beckham joined Manchester United as a trainee in 1991. He was part of a talented group of young players called "Fergie's Fledglings". This group included future stars like Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes. In 1992, they helped the club win the FA Youth Cup.

He made his first appearance for the main team on 23 September 1992, in a League Cup match. In 1994, he briefly played on loan for Preston North End to get more experience. He even scored a goal directly from a corner kick.

Becoming a Star

Beckham returned to Manchester United and made his Premier League debut in 1995. The team's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, believed in his young players. Beckham quickly became the team's main right-sided midfielder. He helped United win both the Premier League and the FA Cup in the 1995-96 season.

On the first day of the 1996–97 season, Beckham scored an incredible goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon. This goal made him famous across the country. He helped United win the league again and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The Famous Treble

Beckham taking a corner kick for Manchester United during the 1999 FA Cup Final.

The 1998–99 season was historic for Manchester United. The team won the treble: the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. This was a very rare achievement.

In the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, United was losing 1–0. In the final minutes of the game, Beckham took two corner kicks. Both led to goals, and United won the match 2–1 in a dramatic finish. Because of his amazing performances, he was the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or, an award for the best player in Europe.

Leaving Manchester United

Beckham continued to play well for United, helping them win more league titles. However, his relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson became difficult. In 2003, after an argument, Ferguson accidentally kicked a boot that hit Beckham above the eye.

After winning six Premier League titles and many other trophies with United, Beckham left the club. He had played 394 games and scored 85 goals for the team.

Real Madrid

In the summer of 2003, Beckham joined the Spanish champions Real Madrid for €37 million. He was part of the club's "Galácticos" team, which included other world-famous stars like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and Luís Figo.

Beckham (top) and Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid in 2003.

Beckham chose to wear the number 23 shirt, inspired by basketball legend Michael Jordan. He quickly settled in, scoring a goal in his first league match. In his final season with the club (2006–07), he helped Real Madrid win the La Liga title.

During his four years at Real Madrid, Beckham played 159 matches and scored 20 goals. His presence also helped the club sell a huge amount of merchandise worldwide.

LA Galaxy

On 11 January 2007, Beckham announced he would be moving to the United States to play for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS). This move brought a lot of attention to football in America.

Beckham became LA Galaxy captain right after joining the team.

His five-year contract was worth a total of $32.5 million. His arrival was a huge event, with thousands of fans and media at his official unveiling. He chose to wear his number 23 shirt again.

Beckham's time in Los Angeles was a big success. He helped the team win the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012. He played 124 games for the Galaxy, scoring 20 goals.

Loans to AC Milan

Beckham playing for AC Milan in 2009.

To stay fit for the England national team, Beckham spent two loan periods at the Italian club AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. He played alongside stars like Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo.

During his second loan, he played against his old club, Manchester United, for the first time. The fans at Old Trafford gave him a warm welcome. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, which meant he couldn't play in the 2010 World Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain

On 31 January 2013, Beckham joined the French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a five-month deal. He announced that his entire salary from PSG would be donated to a children's charity.

With PSG, he won the French Ligue 1 title. This made him the first English player to win league titles in four different countries.

On 16 May 2013, Beckham announced he would retire from professional football at the end of the season. In his final game, he was made captain and was given a standing ovation by the fans when he left the pitch.

International Career

Beckham captained England 59 times in his 115 appearances.

Beckham made his first appearance for the England team on 1 September 1996. He played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he scored his first goal for England with a free-kick against Colombia.

In a later match against Argentina, he was given a red card. Many people blamed him for England's loss, and he faced a lot of criticism.

England Captain

In 2000, Beckham was named the captain of the England team. He played a key role in helping England qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In a famous match against Greece, he scored a last-minute free-kick to send England to the World Cup. This moment made him a national hero.

Beckham scoring a penalty against Argentina at the 2002 World Cup.

At the 2002 World Cup, he scored the winning penalty against Argentina, getting revenge for the 1998 match. He also played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he became the first English player to score in three different World Cups.

After the 2006 World Cup, he stepped down as captain. He continued to play for England until 2009, earning a total of 115 caps (appearances), which was a record for an outfield player at the time.

Playing Style

Beckham scoring with a bending free kick in 2007. His body leans to create extra spin on the ball.

Beckham was known for his incredible ability to pass and cross the ball with great accuracy. He was a master of the "bending" free-kick, which made him one of the most dangerous set-piece takers in the world.

Although he was not the fastest player, he was very smart on the field. He worked hard, had great stamina, and could create scoring chances for his teammates from anywhere on the pitch. He mostly played as a right winger but could also play in central midfield.

Many managers and players have praised his hard work and dedication. Sir Alex Ferguson said Beckham practiced for hours to perfect his skills.

Life After Football

Club Ownership

In 2014, Beckham announced he would start a new MLS team in Miami. The team, named Club Internacional de Futbol Miami (or Inter Miami), began playing in 2020.

In 2019, he also became a part-owner of Salford City, a club in England, along with some of his former Manchester United teammates.

Personal Life

Beckham and his wife Victoria in 2019.

In 1997, Beckham began dating Victoria Adams, also known as "Posh Spice" from the music group the Spice Girls. They quickly became a famous couple known as "Posh and Becks." They married on 4 July 1999.

They have four children: sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, and a daughter named Harper.

Beckham is also known for his many tattoos. He has over 65 tattoos, including the names of his wife and children.

Charity Work

Beckham has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005. He supports many charities, especially those that help children. In 2015, he launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund to help protect children in danger around the world.

When he played for Paris Saint-Germain, he donated his entire £3.4 million salary to two children's charities in France.

Images for kids

Beckham warming up with Real Madrid in 2006.
Beckham during his last season with Real Madrid.
Beckham during an LA Galaxy game in 2007.
Beckham playing for LA Galaxy in 2008.
Beckham playing for LA Galaxy in 2010.
Beckham with LA Galaxy in 2012.
Beckham takes a free kick for England against Brazil.
Beckham lining up a free kick for England in 2008.
Wax statue of Beckham at Madame Tussauds, London.
Beckham in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2009.
Beckham with United States First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House, 15 March 2012.
Beckham with Miss Vietnam Trần Tiểu Vy at the Paris Motor Show 2018.
A miniature portrait painting of David Beckham from 2025.
The Beckham Academy in London.
Beckham's England-themed Paddington Bear statue, which was sold to raise money for charity.
Beckham's trophy for being the runner-up for the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year award.