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David Beckham's Career in Photos

david beckham
David Beckham's Career in PhotosShaun Botterill - Getty Images

Beginning his major sports journey in the youth reserve team of Manchester United, alongside other young players that would go onto become heavyweights like Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, David Beckham quickly established himself as a talented and versatile midfielder. Beckham has represented England in several World Cups, played for both Spain and America after leaving Man U, and signed some mind-bogglingly expensive brand deals as his profile rose in the sporting world. Here's a look back on Beckham's remarkable career in photos.

1990s: Young Beckham at a Man Utd film screening

Beckham grew up in London a football-obsessed household, with Manchester United being the favorite team of his parents Sandra and Ted, also passing that love down to their son.

He began playing for teams at a young age, telling W Magazine playing football was "the only thing I ever wanted to do." He first enrolled in the legendary team's training program at the age of 14, and was even once a Man U mascot for one game against West Ham in 1986.

david beckham
Dave Hogan - Getty Images

1992: FA Youth Cup Champs

After a stint playing for the youth team the Brimsdown Rovers, Beckham signed as a trainee with Manchester United in 1991, where he'd represent their youth team until 1994. He had a strong performance out of the gate, and alongside his team members took Man Utd to an FA Youth Cup win. Beckham scored the second goal of their 3-1 first leg win.

fa youth cup 1992
Manchester United - Getty Images

1994: Two youth league Trophies

Beckham had already won two impressive championships in his first three years. Man U lost to Leeds United in the finals in 1993, but won the FA Youth Cup again in 1994. Beckham was officially signed as a professional Manchester United player in 1993, and after he finished his youth career, Beckham joined the club Preston North End on loan from Man U to get some first-team experience.

manchester united reserve team 1994
Manchester United - Getty Images

1996: Scoring against Chelsea

Beckham played four matches for Man Utd in 1995, but began to really draw attention the following year. On the opening day of the Premier League in August of 1996, Beckham scored an epic 57-yard goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon and quickly established himself as a first-choice player in the team's lineup.

soccer fa cup semi final chelsea v manchester united
Steve Morton - EMPICS - Getty Images

1996: Celebrating with Eric Cantona

Beckham celebrates a goal he just scored against Derby County. Here he's seen alongside legendary player Eric Cantona, known affectionately as "King Eric" by fans of Manchester United. Beckham would go onto inherit Cantona's iconic No. 7 jersey when Cantona retired in 1997.

soccer derby county v manchester united
Laurence Griffiths - EMPICS - Getty Images

1997: Beckham in Training

Taking a break while training with Team England for his debut FIFA World Cup appearance. And honestly, he's rocking the bowl cut.

david beckham training 1997
Mark Leech/Offside - Getty Images

1997: Winning Young Player of the Year

Beckham won this title from the Professional Footballer's Association, which decides its winners through member votes. That meant this recognition was extra special since it came from Beckham's peers in the sport.

young player of the year award david beckham
Chris Turvey - EMPICS - Getty Images

1997: Clashing with Italy

Beckham getting yanked by Italian player Demetrio Albertini during a World Cup qualifier match at Wembley Stadium, which Italy eventually won 1-0. Both teams eventually made it to the tournament, however.

david beckham
Stu Forster - Getty Images

1998: Posh and Becks Beginnings

Beckham is pictured here with Victoria Adams (now Beckham), cementing their power couple status as the soccer player and pop star announce their engagement.

showbiz victoria beckham
John Giles - PA Images - Getty Images

1998: Collaboration with Adidas

Beckham began his longtime partnership with sportswear brand Adidas in 1998 with his own custom shoes. He has been featured in several great commercials by the brand, and signed a hefty $160 million lifetime contract with them in 2003. He has tons of endorsement deals to his name now, but Adidas was an early investor that helped spread his image and recognition beyond English football fans.

soccer david beckham signs a boot contract with adidas
Michael Steele - EMPICS - Getty Images

1998: First World Cup

Here's Beckham (middle row, look for the bright blond hair), with his teammates and the full staff of Team England. Unfortunately, Beckham and the England team lost in the second round of the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Argentina in a penalty shoot-out.

england world cup squad
Mark Thompson - Getty Images

1998: Beckham bending it at the World Cup

Even though they didn't last long in the tournament, Beckham scored a standout goal that raised his profile. In England's first-round match against Colombia, Beckham scored the second goal of their 2-0 win with an impressive bending shot from a free kick.

w cup engcol beckham goal
Sean Dempsey - PA Images - Getty Images

1999: Lounging with the FA Cup

Beckham is no stranger to trophies even at this young age. As a part of Manchester United, Beckham won two FA Cups, six Premier League titles and one Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Championships League.

fa cup 1999
John Peters - Getty Images

2000: Celebrating a goal with Phil Neville

You gotta give it to Footballers, they're never afraid to hug it out when the ball hits the net. Beckham remains close friends with his Man Utd teammates from this period and the youth team days, including Phil Neville pictured here.

david beckham, phil neville
Michael Steele - Getty Images

2000: Taking a lap with son Brooklyn

Posh and Becks have had four children, and here is Beckham with their oldest son Brooklyn as a wee toddler at a match against Tottenham Hotspur.

soccer fa carling premiership manchester united v tottenham hotspur
Steve Mitchell - EMPICS - Getty Images

2001: Yellow-carded at UEFA

Beckham was not an oft-disciplined player through much of his career. Besides a few standout red cards, like when he kicked Argentinian Player Diego Simeone's leg in the 1998 FIFA World Cub, Beckham was not known for fouling often at all.

soccer uefa champions league second stage group a manchester united v valencia
Mike Egerton - EMPICS - Getty Images

2002: Taking it easy after an injury

Beckham fractured his ankle and foot in 2002 and had to take 48 days off to recover. He avoided any major injuries for most of the decade, and then suffered a more severe Achilles tendon rupture, which led to an 180 day break, and caused Beckham to have to sit out of England's matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

english football player david beckham smiles while
EMMANUEL DUNAND - Getty Images

2003: Beckham's last game with Man U

Beckham celebrates a goal against Everton with Roy Keane. He ended his time with the legendary team on a high note by winning the FA Premiership trophy in a 2-1 victory.

soccer fa barclaycard premiership everton v manchester united
Mike Egerton - EMPICS - Getty Images

2003: Beckham joins Real Madrid

Stretching with Luis Figo before a Spanish Super Cup match against Real Mallorca. Beckham played for Real Madrid from 2003-2007.

beckham and figo stretch
Shaun Botterill - Getty Images

2004: Team England Captain

Beckham continued to play for Team England internationally, and began serving in a leadership role as its captain. He amassed a total of 58 appearances as part of the team over his career.

england's captain and midfielder david b
PAUL BARKER - Getty Images

2005: Premiering a Pepsi advert with J.Lo and Beyoncé

If you're wondering why Beckham's on a stage with Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, they all banded together for this wildly elaborate commercial set in cyberpunk-styled city.

famous british football player david bec
CHRISTOPHE SIMON - Getty Images

2007: Winning La Liga with Real Madrid

One of the crowning achievements from Beckham's Real Madrid days were when they beat Real Mallorca at La Liga, the top championship in the Spanish football league, in 2007.

real madrid's david beckham c and ital
BRU GARCIA - Getty Images

2009: Hopping across the pond

Beckham signed with the Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy in 2007, immediately increasing interest in the often under-appreciated American soccer league.

seattle sounders fc v los angeles galaxy
German Alegria - Getty Images

2010: Playing against Manchester United

Beckham spent two loan periods playing for AC Milan while he was a Galaxy team member, which angered some LA fans. In this 2010 match, Beckham went against his old longtime team Manchester United, with the game ending 3-2 in favor of Man U.

manchester united v ac milan uefa champions league
Laurence Griffiths - Getty Images

2011: MLS Cup Champions

Oh, you thought Beckham was done winning trophies? Nope! Along with his Galaxy teammates, Beckham won the 2011 MLS Cup. He also won the title the following year in 2012, in what ended up being his final game with the Galaxy.

celebrities attend the 2011 mls cup houston dynamo v los angeles galaxy
Toby Canham - Getty Images

2012: Driving a speedboat for the London Olympics Opening Ceremony

Beckham was reportedly a member of the delegation who traveled to Singapore in 2005 and successfully campaigned to have London host the 2012 Summer Olympic games. Given that, and the fact that he's a British icon already, it makes sense that he had a big appearance in the opening ceremony.

2012 olympic games opening ceremony
Matthew Lloyd - Getty Images

2013: Beckham at his final game

Beckham signed with a final team, Paris Saint-Germain, for a five-month deal in January of 2013, later announcing that he would be retiring from pro football after the French Football season was over.

fbl fra ligue1 psg brest
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD - Getty Images

2016: With buddy Guy Ritchie

Beckham has a friendship with the legendary English director Guy Ritchie. His only acting appearances outside of commercials, and a couple of movies where he played himself, are cameos in Ritchie's films. He played a projectionist in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and had an even more involved speaking role in this scene from King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

kent curwen dinner with mr porter
David M. Benett - Getty Images

2018: From player to owner

Beckham has invested in a couple of football teams following his retirement. He is the co-owner and President of the MLS team Inter Miami CF, and co-owner the League Two team Salford City.

mls announces new team in miami
Eric Espada - Getty Images

2020: He loves to play Legos until the wee hours

Beckham is clearly living the good life as a young retiree. While he continues to be active with his businesses, family and social media, the former footballer has also been taking time for fun. He told Jimmy Fallon that he has been building Lego structures since a young age, and the late night host gifted him a Lego set during the interview.

the tonight show starring jimmy fallon season 7
NBC - Getty Images

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