David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE (born May 2, 1975) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid. Beckham was named as a member of Pelé’s FIFA 100. In addition to his success on the pitch, Beckham has been recognized by Time as one of 2004’s Time 100 (Heroes & Icons), as well as an elite global advertising brand. Beckham was already a crowd-pleasing star for Manchester United when he married Spice Girls star Victoria Adams ("Posh Spice") in July of 1999
Beckham is the fifth most capped English player of all time, has twice been the runner up in the FIFA World Player Of The Year Award in 1999 and 2001 and in addition to being the only Englishman to score in three different World Cups, is also only the ninth player in World Cup history to score twice from direct free kicks. He was captain of the English national team from 15 November 2000 to July 2, 2006.
Beckham’s career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first first-team appearance in 1992, at the age of 17. While with Manchester United he played a key role in their dominance of the FA Premier League in the 1990s and early 2000s, being pivotal in accomplishing The Treble of the League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left the club to become only the third Englishman to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, after Laurie Cunningham and Steve McManaman.
In 2006, after England’s quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Germany, he stood down as captain and he was then succeeded by Chelsea captain John Terry. Beckham was dropped from the England national team selected by coach Steve McClaren on 11 August 2006.
On 10 January 2007 Real Madrid Sporting Director Predrag Mijatovic announced Beckham would leave the club in mid 2007. On 11 January 2007, Beckham agreed to a move to the MLS team LA Galaxy on a 5 year contract beginning on 1 July 2007, after his current deal with Real Madrid expires. Late Monday (15 January), after speculation in the U.K. and Spanish press on a possible early exit for Beckham from Real Madrid, MLS Commissioner Don Garber denied that his league was attempting to secure an early MLS debut for Beckham.