David Beckham

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London, England. He is the son of Sandra Georgina (née West), a hairdresser, and David Edward Alan 'Ted' Beckham, a kitchen fitter. He was given the middle name Robert in honour of Bobby Charlton, his father's favourite footballer. His parents were fanatical Manchester United supporters. Beckham signed schoolboy forms at Manchester United on his 14th birthday, and subsequently signed a Youth Training Scheme contract on 8 July 1991. He made his first-team debut on 23 September 1992 as a substitute in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion. He went on loan to Preston North End for part of the 1994–95 season, scoring two goals in five appearances, notably directly from a corner kick. He made his Premier League debut on 2 April 1995 in a goalless draw against Leeds United. He played four times for United in the league that season, as they finished second behind Blackburn Rovers. He was not in the squad for the FA Cup final with Everton on 20 May, which United lost 1–0.

In Their Own Story

On 7 December 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4–0 victory against Galatasaray. Although Manchester United finished third in their group behind Barcelona that season, it marked the beginning of European nights for the young midfielder. In 1996, he established himself as the right-sided midfielder rather than a traditional winger, providing the corner from which Eric Cantona scored in the FA Cup Final and scoring the winner against Chelsea in the semi-final. His rise continued through the 1998–99 season, where he was part of the squad that won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League, securing his place as one of the best players of his generation.

Reader's Guide

Beckham's professional club career began with Manchester United, where he made his first-team debut in 1992 at age 17. With United, he won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, the FA Charity Shield twice, the Intercontinental Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He then played four seasons with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga title in his final season with the club. In July 2007, Beckham signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy; it was widely cited as a historic transfer for US football. While a Galaxy player, he spent two loan spells in Italy with AC Milan in 2009 and 2010, and became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League games. He returned to the Galaxy and won the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012. Following a four-month stint at Paris Saint-Germain, he retired in May 2013 after a 21-year career. In international football, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996, at the age of 21. He was captain for six years, earning 58 caps during his tenure. He made 115 career appearances in total, appearing at three FIFA World Cups in 1998, 2002 and 2006 as well as two UEFA European Championships in 2000 and 2004. Beckham held the England appearance record for an outfield player until 2016.

Did You Know?

• Beckham is the only English player to have won a league title in four different countries: England, France, Spain, and the United States.
• He was runner-up in the Ballon d'Or in 1999 and twice runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year (1999 and 2001).
• Beckham was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.
• He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2005 and launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015.