Ten highs and lows in the memorable career of David Beckham.
Goal from half-way line against Wimbledon
Promising Manchester United youngster David Beckham announces himself to the world with a superb lob from the half way line over Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan on the opening day of the 1996/97 season. The 21-year-old went on to establish himself as a regular in the United side that year, helping them to the Premier League title and winning PFA Young Player of the Year. His excellent strike against Wimbledon is still regarded as one of the best ever goals scored in the Premier League and has been voted number 18 in a list of 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.
His excellent technique and eye for goal with his right foot would go on to be one of the most defining qualities of his career. He was one of many exciting young players coming through at United at that point, alongside the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers, though it didn’t take long for him to stand out as something special and unique altogether.
Red card in 1998 World Cup
Beckham’s fine form for United soon led to him being an England regular, but he made himself unpopular with the England fans after lashing out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone and getting himself a red card. Glen Hoddle’s side went on to lose on penalties, with Beckham taking a large share of the blame for the defeat due to his moment of madness. There was speculation following this incident that he would leave Manchester United for a move abroad, but he decided to stay, despite often being booed by fans at Premier League opposition grounds around the country.
Treble win with Manchester United
David Beckham was back to his best the following season, and formed an important part of the United side that won an historic treble in 1999. He scored an important goal in the team’s FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, and also an equaliser against Tottenham that helped United on their way to winning the league, but crucially, it was his two corner kicks that led to two stoppage time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to turn the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on its head and seal the treble.
He had still not quite earned forgiveness from a section of England supporters at this stage, but he was soon named captain of the national side and things started to turn in his favour. He would hold this role as national team skipper until 2006.
Free kick against Greece
As well as his incredible goal against Wimbledon, this last-minute free kick against Greece to send England to the 2002 World Cup is one of the goals of his career. With England trailing 2-1 at home to Greece and needing a point to secure qualification for the World Cup in Korea and Japan, the England captain stepped up under huge pressure and won over the country’s fans with a superb curling free kick. Shortly afterwards, he was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2001. He also finished runner-up to Portugal’s Luís Figo for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Penalty against Argentina
A fine moment in Beckham’s career as he finds redemption for his red card four years earlier, driving home a penalty and winning goal in England’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2002 World Cup group stages. This goal also meant that their rivals were condemned to a shock early exit from the competition. The England captain generally impresses during the tournament, though his side are eliminated in a close game at the quarter-final stage, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil.
Fall-out with Ferguson
Beckham’s long stay at Old Trafford looked under threat following a high-profile falling out with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The England captain bore the brunt of Fergie’s aggression after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup, with the United boss allegedly kicking a boot at Beckham and leaving him with a cut above his left eye. Beckham later played down the incident, saying it was an accident. Ferguson refused to comment, but it was clear that their relationship was turning sour.
The midfielder spent much of the rest of the season on the bench for United, and speculation grew that he would leave the club in the summer. He eventually made a £25million move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, becoming the latest in the line of the club’s ‘Galactico’ signings alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, ending a ten-year association with Manchester United.
Wins La Liga title with Real Madrid
With the rise of Barcelona in La Liga, it took some time for Beckham to find success in Spain, but it finally came in 2007 when Real Madrid won La Liga on the final day of the season with a 3-1 win over Real Mallorca. Beckham had already made plans to leave at the end of the season, causing him to fall out favour with Real manager Fabio Capello for much of the season, though he regained his place towards the end of the campaign.
Beckham started the match against Mallorca, but it was his substitute Jose Antonio Reyes who won the game with two late goals after coming off the bench to replace the limping Beckham. His time in Spain was perhaps not as he might have wished it to have been, but Beckham ensured that his time in Spain ended in success, justifying his decision to leave United.
Makes big move to MLS
The now world-famous midfielder made a somewhat surprising move to the United States, joining MLS side LA Galaxy in a bid to raise the profile of the game in America. The then 31-year-old signed a five-year deal, reportedly worth £128million, and spent a good five years with the club, helping them to two MLS cups. He seemed to miss European football though, making two loan moves to Serie A side AC Milan and attempting to push through a permanent transfer, as he also feared for his place in the England team, due to the lower level of football in the US. He showed he still had quality with his displays in Italy, and kept himself in contention for an England place under Fabio Capello, his former boss at Real Madrid.
Misses 2010 World Cup through injury
A real low point for Beckham came in March 2010, as he suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon, putting him out for six months and meaning he would miss what would surely be his last chance of playing in a World Cup. The midfielder still joined up with the squad in the tournament in South Africa, watching from the sidelines in a kind of coaching capacity, working as a mediator between the players and the coaching staff. He would not play for the national side again, but can proudly claim to be the country’s most capped outfield player, with 115 appearances and 17 goals in a memorable thirteen years with England.
Wins Ligue 1 title with PSG
Beckham’s last big move came this January as he signed a five year contract with French giants PSG. He rejoined with his former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti in Paris after his deal with LA Galaxy expired. The move saw Beckham appear in the Champions League again, putting in a strong display in the club’s 2-2 quarter-final draw with Barcelona. It was thought that the former United and England star would carry on playing for one more season, but the 38-year-old announced his retirement from the game after helping the French side to the Ligue 1 title, making it four league titles in four different countries for one of the game’s most famous players.
He has had some critics over the years, but there’s no denying that he has brought success to wherever he has gone, and has always remained a focused and committed professional despite his superstar status off the pitch. He joins fellow legends Paul Scholes and Sir Alex Ferguson in retirement this summer, making it feel like a real end of an era in football.