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01
In November 1996, Beckham saw the video for the Spice Girls’ ‘Say You’ll Be There’ while in Tbilisi, Georgia, with the England squad. He pointed at Victoria Adams and told Gary Neville she was the woman he wanted; months later they began dating.
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02
His legs are insured for $70 million.
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03
He won the treble with Manchester United in 1999: the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
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04
He scored on his first team debut in the European Cup against Galatasaray.
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05
The film Love Actually 2003 lists David Beckham’s right foot as one of the things that make Britain great.
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06
Beckham was among the guests at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ wedding ceremony in Italy.
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07
Gary Neville, his England teammate, was best man at Beckham’s wedding.
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08
Beckham suffers from ornithophobia fear of birds and ataxophobia fear of disorder.
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09
He developed a free-kick technique known worldwide as the Beckham, which lifts the ball over the wall, bends it toward the far post, and dips it under the crossbar.
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10
Beckham has four children with wife Victoria: Brooklyn born March 4, 1999, Romeo September 1, 2002, Cruz February 20, 2005, and Harper July 10, 2011.
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11
He was awarded the OBE Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to football.
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12
He wears a new pair of football boots for every game, costing an estimated £300 per pair.
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13
Beckham was famously sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup for retaliation.
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14
He founded the David Beckham Football Academy.
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15
Readers of Heat UK magazine voted him best dressed male.
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16
He played for England in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups, captaining the team from 2000 until he resigned on July 2, 2006.
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17
His first England goal came against Colombia on June 26, 1998, at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens.
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18
On June 17, 2003, he signed a four-year, £24.5 million deal with Real Madrid.
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19
Forbes ranked him #5 on the 2008 Celebrity 100 list.
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20
He released the international best-selling autobiography, Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground.
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21
He won the Spanish La Liga title with Real Madrid in 2006-07 before transferring to LA Galaxy.
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22
Godparents of his sons include Elizabeth Hurley, Elton John, David Furnish, and football agent Dave Gardner; each son has five godparents.
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23
Time magazine named him one of the Time 100 in 2004.
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24
The Sunday Times estimated his net worth at $205 million.
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25
He is friends with Tom Cruise, Snoop Dogg, Guy Ritchie, Gordon Ramsay, and Liv Tyler.
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26
He began his professional football career at age 17, making his first-team debut for Manchester United in 1992.
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27
Manchester United signed him to their youth program at age 14. His youth team included the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes.
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28
On May 11, 2003, a Channel Four poll voted him the 91st worst Briton in the 100 Worst Britons list.
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29
David and Victoria held a lavish christening party for sons Brooklyn and Romeo on December 23, 2004, at their Hertfordshire mansion.
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30
Among the guests at his 30th birthday party were Elizabeth Hurley, Elle Macpherson, and Geri Halliwell-Horner.
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31
After Real Madrid announced he would not stay beyond 2006-07, he signed a five-year deal with LA Galaxy worth up to $50 million per year including endorsements.
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32
In 2014, he attended Elton John’s wedding to David Furnish.
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33
He is godfather to Davinia Taylor and Dave Gordon’s son Grey.
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34
He signed for Spanish team Real Madrid in 2003.
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35
Beckham is an avid beekeeper.
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36
His likeness was made out of a napkin by Roger the Alien in American Dad! 2005.
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37
He signed a new contract with Manchester United until 2005, making him the highest-paid footballer in Britain at the time, but was sold to Real Madrid a year later.
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38
Voted the #1 best male body in Celebrity Bodies UK magazine.
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39
Introduced to AC Milan media on December 20, 2008; he played on loan from LA Galaxy from January 7 to March 9, 2009.
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40
In 2007, Forbes estimated his annual salary at $33 million.
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41
He declared he would retain the England captaincy despite criticism after poor performances and two missed penalties at Euro 2004.
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42
He relinquished the England captaincy after the team’s quarter-final defeat to Portugal in the 2006 World Cup on July 2, 2006.
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43
Member of the Real Madrid team that won the Spanish League 2006-07 after a 3-1 victory over Mallorca on the final day.
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44
Father-in-law of Nicola Peltz Beckham.
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45
Son-in-law of Jackie Adams and Anthony Adams.
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46
He was knighted Knight Bachelor in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List for services to sports and charity in London, England.
