Arguably one of the most famous men in the world, David Beckham – full name David Robert Joseph Beckham – has gone from professional footballer, playing for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint Germain, to certified businessman and inspirational style guru.
Here round-up all there is to know about Golden Balls himself, including his net worth, his wife and family, his ridiculous number of tattoos, his ever-changing hairstyles and more.
David Beckham Quick Facts
Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Age: 47
DoB: 2 May 1975
Nationality: English
Height: 5ft 9in / 1.8m
Weight: 75kg
Net Worth: $450 million (estimated)
Instagram: @davidbeckham – 73.9m followers
Who Is David Beckham?
David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 to parents Sandra and David Beckham. He has an older sister, Lynne Georgina Beckham and a younger sister, Joanne Louise Beckham. He grew up on the outskirts of London, England, and attended Chingford County High School.
From a young age, Beckham always had his sights set on a career in football, which was spurred on by his parents’ love for Manchester United – he even won the chance to attend a training session with the Barcelona football team, after attending a soccer school hosted by Manchester United legend, Bobby Charlton.
He played for various local teams, along with trials for Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur, but when he was 16, he signed a Youth Training Scheme contract with Manchester United.
Football Career
Manchester United
David Beckham was part of a youth training squad at Manchester United alongside Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, whom he would go onto play in the first team with and win a number of trophies.
Following a season-long loan spell at Preston North End, Beckham returned to Manchester United and made his League debut in 1995. His Premier League opening day goal in 1996 against Wimbledon, wherein he scored from the halfway line, is widely regarded as one of the best opening day goals of all time.
For the 1997 season, Beckham began wearing the number 7 shirt, which he would keep the remainder of his Manchester United career, and helped cement it as the number given to some of the club’s greatest players, which has included Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beckham helped Manchester United win the treble – Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League – in the 1998/99 season. His relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated during the early 00s and he eventually made a move to Spanish club Real Madrid in 2003.
Real Madrid
David Beckham was a star signing for Real Madrid and he joined a team full of football legends. By this time, he was a household name around the world, which Real capitalised upon.
However, having next won the La Liga Championship with Real Madrid, Beckham left in 2007, just four years after joining the club. He decided to make a move to the US and join LA Galaxy.
LA Galaxy
Thanks to David Beckham’s huge global awareness, his signing for LA Galaxy caused not only a surge in fanbase for the club, but the Major League Soccer series as a whole. A notable clause from his contract with LA Galaxy stated Beckham would be able to buy an MLS expansion franchise in any market except New York City at a fixed price of $25 million whenever he stopped playing in the league.
It was this clause that allowed him to eventually found Inter Miami CF. During his time at LA Galaxy , Beckham was loaned out to Italian club A.C. Milan on two separate occasions, predominantly so he could maintain match fitness to help him compete in the 2010 World Cup with the England team.
Beckham eventually helped LA Galaxy with two successive MLS Cup Finals.
Paris Saint-Germain
David Beckham joined French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, and he donated his entire salary during his five-month deal with the club to a local children’s charity.
Inter Miami CF
David Beckham exercised the clause in his LA Galaxy contract back in 2014, when he announced he would create Inter Miami CF. The club made its MLS debut on 1 March 2020.
David Beckham Family
While his on-field prowess helped him achieve global fame, it was David Beckham’s relationship with Spice Girl Victoria Adams that attracted media attention off-field. The couple married on 24 January 1999, with their then four-month-old son Brooklyn, being ring bearer.
David and Victoria now have four children: sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz and daughter, Harper Seven. Brooklyn and Romeo have both done modelling work, and all three sons have played for the Arsenal Football Academy.
David Beckham Net Worth
Thanks to a stellar football career and global marketing potential, David Beckham has amassed a net worth of $450 million.
Some of his well-known sponsorships and endorsements include being an ambassador for sportswear giant Adidas, whose football boots he wore throughout the duration of his playing career. In 2013, he signed a $160 million lifetime agreement with the company.
He has also helped to promote The Walt Disney Company and he previously had a sponsorship contract with PepsiCo. He has also been the face of Maserati and has previously launched his own range of David Beckham Perfume. He and his wife Victoria agreed upon a $13.7 million deal to launch their first fragrance back in 2007.
Where does David Beckham live?
Beckham owns a number of properties, including two houses in the United Kingdom; a huge $31 million mansion in London’s Holland Park and a converted farmhouse in The Cotswolds, along with an apartment in Miami so he can be close to the football club he founded, Inter Miami CF.
David Beckham Tattoos
David Beckham has more than 65 tattoos on his body, with many on his hands, neck and even on the back of his head. He has tattoos of his wife and children’s names, along with a few others that pay tribute to his daughter. Some of his other tattoos have religious meanings and he even has one of the solar system.
The vast majority of David’s tattoos have been carried out by either London-based tattoo artist Mark Mahoney or Manchester-based Luke Malloy. In doing so, Beckham’s tattoos maintain a consistent look.
Some of David’s most recognisable tattoos include a crucifix with wings on the back of his neck, several roses around the front of his neck, and a flock of birds behind his left ear. He has his sons names tattooed on his back, along with an angel, also in the crucifix position and also with wings.
David Beckham Hairstyles
Something else that has garnered much intentional attention for David Beckham over the years has been his ever-changing hairstyles. Throughout his career he has rocked virtually every popular men’s hairstyle under the sun, including a man bun, curtains, buzz cuts and even peroxide bleaching.
You can view a full round-up of some of David Beckham’s most iconic hairstyles, here.
David Beckham Style
David Beckham is also a certified style icon, at least, post-football career. He regularly steps out in impeccably fitting clothing, whether it’s smart casual, formal or even setting trends for upcoming seasons. Put simply, he very rarely puts a foot wrong, so if you’re serious about style, you need to be following his Instagram account for this reason alone.
He’s a lover of watches too and is an ambassador for Swiss watch brand Tudor.
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