As a schoolboy, David Beckham represented the county of Essex, had trials with Leyton Orient and attended Tottenham Hotspur’s school of excellence. Beckham signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991 and was part of United’s famous 1992 Youth Cup winning side. Making his League debut at home to Leeds United in April 1995, he fully established himself the next year in United’s 1995/96 Double winning season as a right midfielder after the departure of Andrei Kanchelskis.

However, it was that famous goal from the halfway line of the 1996/97 season at Wimbledon that pitched him into the spotlight that has only grown brighter ever since. Following that, he went on a run of amazing performances, scoring a fantastic selection of long-range goals to help United win the Premiership and himself the Young Player of the Year award. He also came second in the Player of the Year voting. This same season saw himearn his first senior cap for England, on 1 September 1996 against Moldova.

In the 1998 World Cup in France, Beckham was included in the England squad. After being left out of the starting line-up for the first two matches, he scored a beautiful free-kick against Columbia and was hailed a national hero. No sooner than that, he became one of the most hated men in his country, when his infamous kick on Diego Simeone resulted in him being sent off. England was knocked out in the second round by Argentina, and Beckham was forced to seek shelter with his then Spice Girl wife Victoria who was touring the United States.

Yet, he fought back and proved all his critics wrong when in the first League game of the 1998/99 season against Leicester City, he curled in one of his trademark free-kicks to prevent defeat. He was an integral part of the Treble winning team and his efforts won him second place behind Rivaldo in the voting for both World and European Player of the Year.

During the 1999-2000 season, his high profile bust-up with Alex Ferguson led to speculations that he may leave the club. However, the midfielder picked up his fourth Premiership winner’s medal, and was voted second best player in Europe and the World. Rivaldo of Barcelona and Brazil pipped him to both awards. David also finished runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, losing out to boxing champion Lennox Lewis.

It was therefore fitting that Peter Taylor named him as England captain in a friendly against Italy in November 2000. In his first game as manager Sven Goran Eriksson named Beckham as captain of the England team that beat Spain 3-0 at Villa Park in February 2001. Becks retained the captaincy for the World Cup qualifier against Finland at Anfield in March. He scored England’s winning goal - his first international goal from open play - as they triumphed 2-1.

The major highlights of David’s 2000/01 season were on the international stage, although he again won the Premiership title with United, having scored in three matches in a row early in the campaign.

After an amazing performance for his country as they smashed Germany 5-1 in Munich on September 1 2001, Beckham’s star continues to be one of the hottest properties in world football.

David is now highly regarded at Real Madrid and is often mentioned as one their best players especially for his work effort and consistency. Rumours always circulate of a transfer but they are always proved to be wrong. He has himself stated, on many occasions, that he would only ever play for Man Utd or Real Madrid. He has interests outside of Real Madrid in the form of his very succesful and highly regarded Football Academy, which helps youngsters from all areas to improve their footballing skills.

David stepped down as England Captain following England’s quarter final defeat to Portugal on JUly 1st at the World Cup in Germany. He expressed great sadness but was very thankful and proud to have been the Captain for so long. He intends to still fight for a place within the England team.