Twice runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year[5] and in 2004 the world's highest-paid footballer when taking into account salary and advertising deals.[6] Beckham was the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches.[5] He was Google's most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004.[7] With such global recognition he has become an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon.[8][9] Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000[10] until the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals,[11] during which he played 58 times. Since then he has continued to represent his country and earned his much-publicised hundredth cap for England against France on 26 March 2008.[12] He is currently England's most-capped outfield player with 115 appearances.[13]
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17.[5] During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999.[5] He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons,[14] clinching the La Liga championship in his final season with the club.[15]
In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy.[16] Beckham's contract with Los Angeles Galaxy became effective on 1 July 2007 and gave him the highest player salary in MLS history.[17] His playing contract with Galaxy in 2007, 2008 and 2009 was worth $6.5m per year.[18][19][20] He debuted for the team on 21 July 2007 in a friendly versus Chelsea at The Home Depot Center,[21] and on 15 August, he had his first start with the team, scoring his first goal in the 2007 SuperLiga semi-final.[22] His first league start then came on 18 August in front of a record crowd at Giants Stadium.
David Beckham
David Beckham
David Beckham
David Beckham
David Beckham
