Beckham down through the years. Credit: PA Wire/PA Wire/Press Association Images
As a child, he wins the Bobby Charlton soccer school skills finals
He was destined for great things from a young age.
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His first senior goal for Manchester United – v Galatasaray in 1994 Champions League
Not his best but a milestone nonetheless.
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He then announces himself in the Premier League with that strike from the halfway line
Spotting Wimbledon stopper Neil Sullivan off his line with an audacious lob with an icon goal.
YouTube credit: Chinmaya Bharadwaj
Beckham becomes Public Enemy No1 after being sent off at World Cup 98
Leading Argentina in the quarter-finals in St Etienne thanks to a wondergoal from 18-year-old Michael Owen, Beckham kicks out at Diego Simeone after being bundled to the ground by the hard-hitting midfielder. Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen shows him a straight red card and England go out on penalties.
He wins the Champions League a year later
In one of the greatest ever finales to a game, Manchester United come back from a 1-0 lead with two injuries-time goals – both created from Beckham corners.
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Sending England to the 2002 World Cup
Trailing 2-1 to Greece and staring the embarrassment of not qualifying for the Japan & South Korea, the England captain saves the day with a 93rd-minute free-kick.
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In 2003, he’s booted out of United…
United go out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal and Beckham bore the brunt of Alex Ferguson’s anger – allegedly taking a flying football boot to the forehead. The pair’s relationship had broken down and Fergie decided to offload his prized asset to Spain that summer.
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And departs for Real Madrid
President Florentino Perez forks out €35m for his latest 'Galactico', adding to the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
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where he wins La Liga... eventually
Having announced that he would be joining LA Galaxy in January 2007, Madrid manager Fabio Capello claimed Beckham had played his last game for the club. However, he did a U-turn on the decision and Beckham played an important role in their first league title win since he had arrived.
Credit: ALVARO BARRIENTOS/AP/Press Association Images
Then came a shock move to LA Galaxy and success in the US
Criticised for deciding to leave European football for a substandard league, Beckham helped push the MLS brand and won to MLS Cups during his five years there.
Credit: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire/Press Association Images
There were also couple of brief spells in Milan
While the MLS was in their off-season, he twice joined AC Milan on loan and returned to Old Trafford in 2003 when they met in the Champions League. That game brought us the famous image of Beckham wearing the green and gold scarf, which fans see as a protest to the Glazers.
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One final move to France ends with league triumph
Credit: Laurent Cipriani/AP/Press Association Images
At 37, Beckham arrived in Ligue 1 with nouveau riche club Paris Saint-Germain and, although he only played a bit part, won French title last week.
Should never have been put in that position. A complete mess and then hung out to dry. Shocking by the FAI. Stan, a true legend
@Kris Hetherington: He did a fine job. We were just crap.
He’s still in my all time best Ireland eleven regardless of his management career. …… Legend
Will take the same result on Friday.
Im the Gaffer!!!
Hopefully one day we can reconcile the Stephen Ireland debacle, he had some great games in his short time playing for us.
@China Photo Daily: getting that winner against san marino and the boys swinging off him in celebration and he wanting none of it. goes to show what he thought of the goal.
He was our “World class” appointment to replace the excellent Brian Kerr. Kerr was not offered a new contract due to a certain striker looking like kerr didnt want him for the next campaign.
@Trevor Beacom: Staunton refers to us having punched above our weight. Kerr had us playing well and getting better. Would have been interesting to see him (kerr) get an extension
Who’s that Trevor? Robbie?