He is a footballer who needs no introduction. David Beckham is a footballer who is a brand in himself and a legend in his own right. He made the banana freekicks a rage. Such was his freekck’s craze that media coined a term in his honor, ‘Bend it like Beckham’.
Beckham came through Manchester United’s youth academy in the early 1990’s. He was part of the famed Fergie’s Fledgelings, who won a league title in 1996 and ushered an era of dominance at Old Trafford. A cockney by birth but a Mancunian by heart, is what we can use to describe Beckham.
If not for his dispute with Sir Alex Ferguson, he would have entered into the Manchester United Hall of Fame alongside fellow graduates Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Sadly, he moved away from Manchester to even more glitzy Real Madrid.
It is at Madrid where his profile saw a surge in popularity. He didn’t win that many trophies at Madrid but still he was a superstar whose popularity continued to soar by each passing day.
He then moved to US, to play for LA Galaxy in MLS. Later on, in his career he returned to Europe for loan spells at AC Milan and PSG.
Honours
Club
Manchester United
Premier League (6): 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03
FA Cup (2): 1995–96, 1998–99
FA Community Shield (4): 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997
FA Youth Cup (1): 1991–92
UEFA Champions League (1): 1998–99
Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999
Real Madrid
La Liga (1): 2006–07
Supercopa de España (1): 2003
Los Angeles Galaxy
MLS Cup (2): 2011, 2012
MLS Supporters' Shield (2): 2010, 2011
MLS Western Conference
inners (Regular Season) (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
Winners (Playoffs) (3): 2009, 2011, 2012
Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1 (1): 2012–13
International
England
Tournoi de France: 1997
FA Summer Tournament: 2004
Individual
1999 Ballon d'Or: Silver Award
Premier League Player of the Month (1): August 1996
PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 1996–97
FWA Tribute Award: 2008
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (1): 1996–97
England Player of the Year: 2003
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 1998–99
UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year (1): 1998–99
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 (1): 2001
UEFA Team of the Year: 2001, 2003
Real Madrid Player of the Year (1): 2005–2006
PFA Team of the Year (4): 1996–97,1997–98,1998–99,1999–2000
FIFA 100[267]
ESPY Award – Best Male Soccer Player: 2004[268]
ESPY Award – Best MLS Player (2): 2008, 2012
English Football Hall of Fame: 2008
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award (1): 2010[269]
MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award (1): 2011[270]
Orders and special awards
Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II: 2003
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador (2005–present)
"Britain's Greatest Ambassador" – 100 Greatest Britons awards[271]
The Celebrity 100, number 15 – Forbes, 2007[272]
Number 1 on the list of the 40 most influential men under the age of 40 in the UK[273] – Arena, 2007
Time 100: 2008[274]
Gold Blue Peter Badge winner, 2001
Do Something Athlete Award, 2011[275]
Records
First Englishman to win league titles in four different countries (England, Spain, USA, France)
First England player to score at three World Cups
First British footballer to play 100 Champions League games
Has the joint-second most goal assists in European Championship finals history
The 400th Paris Saint-Germain player
Has been England's best regular World Cup player since England last won it in 1966 – having created the most chances.
Third in the Premier League's all time assist provider chart, with 152 assists in 265 appearances.
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