David Beckham (David Robert Joseph Beckham), 1975-, English soccer player known especially for the power and accuracy of his free kicks. After beginning to play on the Manchester United youth squad in 1991, he joined its regular team in 1993, debuted in his first professional game in 1995, and became the team's regular right midfielder in 1996. Also that year he was first named to England's national team, ultimately becoming (2001-06) team captain. He was vital to United team's six league championships and other accomplishments while on the team. Tall, blond, dashingly handsome, and married (1999) to pop star Victoria Adams ( "Posh Spice" of the Spice Girls singing group), Beckham became one of Britain's most recognizable celebrities. In 2003 he joined Spain's Real Madrid team, where he has been an effective and popular player; he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
As David Beckham arrives in Turku, Finland, for surgery on his ruptured Achilles - an injury which looks certain to exclude him for this summer's World Cup - Tim Wigmore looks back at the career of football's biggest icon...
