On the 2nd of May, 1975, David Robert Joseph Beckham was born. Fast forward 40 years and he is now one of football’s most decorated and idolized players.
The talented English midfielder has enjoyed a 20-year career which saw him play in five different leagues. Having starred in the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Major League Soccer, and Ligue 1, Beckham is the first Englishman to win league titles in four different countries.
The former Three Lions skipper, handed the captaincy back in 2000, also enjoys the record of most caps by an outfield player for the English national team.
On David Beckham’s 40th birthday, we recall some of his greatest achievements and most iconic moments, both on and off the pitch.
England
In his home country of England, Beckham rose to stardom with boyhood club Manchester United, and captivated the fans for eight years, wining six Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies, and one Champions League medal whilst at Old Trafford.
Spain
David’s move to Real Madrid was surrounded by much hype and expectation, and it didn’t take him long to settle at the Bernabeu, needing only three minutes to score his 1st goal for the club. However, he didn’t enjoy a trophy-laden spell similar to that at Man United, having only won one Liga BBVA and Super Cup title.
MLS
The Englishman moved to the US in 2007 to play for LA Galaxy, where he won two MLS cups, in a move which even involved a loan spell at AC Milan.
PSG
With speculations that David Beckham was nearing his end, he joined French giants PSG in a five-month deal, in January of 2013. On May 12th, he lifted the Ligue 1 title with the club. Four days later, he announced his retirement.
National Team
Of course, who can forget that wonderful free-kick goal vs. Greece that sent England to the 2002 World Cup.
Haircuts, haircuts, and more haircuts
One of the things that made David Beckham a world-wide sensation were his numerous amount of hairstyles.
Bend It Like Beckham
Beckham's wonderful free-kick abilities even inspired the title of 2002's "Bend It Like Beckham".