David Beckham is the most famous footballer England ever produced. That creates a problem for readers. Most biographies stop at his retirement in 2013. Others skip the two biggest stories of 2025 — his knighthood and Inter Miami’s first MLS Cup. You search for his story and get old stats mixed with gossip. I know this clutter well. I faced it myself when I started researching him for FootballerRank.
I have studied Beckham’s career for years. I watched the 1999 treble, the Greece free-kick in 2001, and the Madrid years. I cross-check every number against club records, the FA, and FIFA data before I publish. This David Beckham biography gives you his full story in one place. It covers his Old Trafford roots, his England career, and why he is now Sir David Beckham.
David Beckham Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
| Full name | David Robert Joseph Beckham |
| Title | Sir (knighted November 2025) |
| Date of birth | 2 May 1975 |
| Age | 51 (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Leytonstone, London, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Right midfielder |
| Clubs | Man United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan (loans), PSG |
| England caps / goals | 115 / 17 (1996–2009) |
| World Cups | 3 (1998, 2002, 2006) |
| Major trophies | 19 |
| Current roles | Inter Miami co-owner/president, Salford City co-owner |
Early Life
David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 in Leytonstone, London. His father was a heating engineer. His mother was a hairdresser. The family were Manchester United fans. He signed schoolboy forms with United in 1991.
He was part of the Class of ’92. This youth group included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and the Neville brothers. They won the FA Youth Cup in 1992. Sir Alex Ferguson trusted them. Beckham debuted for the first team in 1992 at 17. By 1996, he was a regular.
Club Career
Manchester United (1993–2003): The Treble
This was his home. He played 394 games for United. He scored 85 goals. He won six Premier League titles. He won two FA Cups. In 1999, United won the treble: the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. Beckham was runner-up for the Ballon d’Or that year.
His crossing was perfect. His free-kicks were art. In 1996, he scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon. In 2003, he fell out with Ferguson. The famous boot incident ended his United story. Real Madrid signed him.
Real Madrid (2003–2007): The Galáctico
He joined the Galácticos. Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, and Roberto Carlos were teammates. The first years were mixed. But in his final season, he won La Liga in 2007. He proved his doubters wrong. He played 116 league games for Madrid. He scored 13 goals.
LA Galaxy, Milan, PSG (2007–2013): The Global Star
In 2007, he signed for LA Galaxy. It changed American football forever. He won the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012. He had two loan spells at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. He became the first British player to reach 100 Champions League games. In 2013, he joined PSG. He won Ligue 1. He retired in May 2013. He donated his PSG salary to charity.
He is the only English player to win league titles in four countries: England, Spain, the USA, and France.
International Career with England
Beckham debuted for England in 1996. He became captain in 2000. He captained England 59 times. He won 115 caps and scored 17 goals. He played in three World Cups.
The 1998 World Cup was painful. He was sent off against Argentina. England lost. He was blamed. The 2002 qualifiers were his redemption. In 2001, his last-minute free-kick against Greece sent England to the World Cup. It is one of England’s greatest moments. He played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. He retired from internationals in 2009.
After Football: Owner and Icon
Beckham did not slow down. He co-founded Inter Miami CF. In 2023, he signed Lionel Messi. It was the biggest signing in MLS history. In December 2025, Inter Miami won their first MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3–1. Beckham became the first person to win the MLS Cup as both a player and an owner.
He also co-owns Salford City with the Class of ’92. His business empire includes DB Ventures and Studio 99. He married Victoria Beckham in 1999. They have four children.
The 2025 Knighthood
Beckham was awarded the OBE in 2003. He became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005. He helped London win the 2012 Olympics. For years, a knighthood was expected.
In June 2025, he was named in the King’s Birthday Honours. In November 2025, King Charles III knighted him at Windsor Castle. He is now Sir David Beckham. Victoria became Lady Beckham. It recognised his services to sport and charity.
Playing Style
Beckham was a right midfielder. He was not the fastest. He was not the strongest. But nobody crossed a ball like him. His right foot was a weapon. His free-kicks bent physics. His work rate was elite. His corners and long passes started attacks.
He was also a leader. England’s captain for six years. He took responsibility in big moments. The Greece free-kick said everything. Pressure on. One kick. History made.
Records and Achievements
| Record | Detail |
| England caps / goals | 115 / 17 |
| League titles in four countries | First English player ever |
| Manchester United games / goals | 394 / 85 |
| MLS Cup as player and owner | First person ever |
| Ballon d’Or | Runner-up 1999 |
| FIFA World Player | Runner-up 1999 |
| Champions League games | First British player to 100 |
| Major trophies | 19 |
Trophies
| Team | Trophies |
| Manchester United | 6× Premier League, 2× FA Cup, 1× Champions League (1999 treble) |
| Real Madrid | 1× La Liga (2007) |
| LA Galaxy | 2× MLS Cup (2011, 2012) |
| PSG | 1× Ligue 1 (2013) |
| England | None — 3 World Cups, 2 Euros |
Personal Life and Legacy
Beckham married Victoria Adams in 1999. She became a fashion designer. They have four children: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper. Their family is famous worldwide.
His legacy has two sides. The footballer: 19 trophies, 115 caps, the greatest free-kick taker of his era. The icon: he made football global. He took the game to America. He built a club that signed Messi. The knighthood in 2025 was the final recognition. Sir David Beckham is football’s first modern superstar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is David Beckham?
He was born on 2 May 1975. He is 51 years old as of October 2026.
Is David Beckham knighted?
Yes. He was named in the King’s Birthday Honours in June 2025 and formally knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle in November 2025.
How many England caps did Beckham have?
115 caps and 17 goals between 1996 and 2009. He captained England 59 times.
Which clubs did Beckham play for?
Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan (two loans), and PSG.
Did Beckham win the World Cup?
No. He played in three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006) but never won it.
What trophies did Beckham win?
19 major trophies, including the 1999 treble with Manchester United and league titles in four countries.
Is Beckham the Inter Miami owner?
Yes, he is co-owner and president of Inter Miami CF. He signed Lionel Messi in 2023.
Did Inter Miami win the MLS Cup?
Yes, in December 2025. Beckham became the first person to win the MLS Cup as both a player and an owner.
Who is Beckham married to?
Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl turned fashion designer. They married in 1999 and have four children.
Why was Beckham sent off in 1998?
He kicked out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone during the 1998 World Cup. England lost on penalties.
Conclusion
I wrote this biography because Beckham’s story kept growing after retirement. The Messi signing. The MLS Cup win. The knighthood. Many pages froze his story in 2013. I verify every figure against club, FA, and FIFA records before publishing. When the knighthood was announced in 2025, I updated this page. When Inter Miami lifted the MLS Cup, I updated it again. That is the standard I set for every biography on FootballerRank.
If you want to understand Beckham, watch the Greece free-kick from 2001. One kick, one nation, one World Cup place. That was David Beckham. Now he is Sir David Beckham. The boy from Leytonstone made it to Windsor Castle.
