David Beckham
- Profession: Footballer
- Place/Date of Birth: 02 May 2020
- Associated with: Victoria Beckham
The Evening Standard today quoted an unnamed source as saying: "His name has been put forward, but there is a view among some officials that it should not be approved while there is a conflict between his future as an England player and his contract with an American club.
"Some officials feel that there is nothing wrong with honouring a player who is based in Europe and free to represent his country if required, but feel there is a big difference if the same player is earning his main income and paying tax in the United States and unable to play for England."
A knighthood for 32-year-old Becks would make his former Spice Girl wife Victoria Lady Beckham - a title she has made clear she would relish.
She told the BBC last year: "I’d love that, that would be quite fabulous. It’s just so camp, it’s wonderful isn’t it? Lady Victoria... that would be quite amazing."
As well as his record as England captain, David’s claim to a knighthood is bolstered by his work for charity and his role in securing the 2012 Olympic Games for London.
Becks to appeal for Madeleine’s return - May 11 2007
David Beckham will make a television appeal today for the safe return of missing Madeleine McCann.
The former England football captain will appeal for information from the public in Spain ahead of her fourth birthday tomorrow.
The Real Madrid player, who will soon move to Los Angeles with wife Victoria and their three sons, will become the latest high-profile sports star to highlight the McCann family’s plight.
A spokeswoman for Becks confirmed the appeal was being filmed this morning in Madrid and will be broadcast later.
Earlier this week, Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo appealed for information in English and Portuguese. Chelsea footballers John Terry and Paulo Ferreira also made an appeal on behalf of the London club.
It’s not the first time Becks has stepped in with an appeal during a missing girl crisis.
In August 2002, he appealed for Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman to return home after they disappeared from home in Soham, Cambridgeshire.
Just minutes before they went missing, the 10-year-olds were photographed wearing red Manchester United replica shirts with "Beckham" on the back. Ian Huntley, 33, is serving two life sentences for their murders.
Happy Birthday Becks - May 2 2007
David Beckham is in the limelight again today - as the footie ace celebrates his birthday.
The 32-year-old has already had one great present this week, after England captain John Terry backed Goldenballs to come back and play for the national side.
This year, of course, will see Becks - along with Posh and the kids - head over to the US as he takes to the pitch for LA Galaxy football club.
He’s certainly come a long way since making his debut for Manchester United aged just 17.
These days who can imagine Becks without Posh, without the ever-changing hairstyles, tattoos, the multi-million dollar brand, the perfume, the commercials etc.
Doubtless there’ll be a huge bash to celebrate - perhaps with new celebrity best mates Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - but as David turns 32, it’s looking like this year could be one of his most interesting so far.
Becks goes blond - April 27 2007
David Beckham is well known for changing his hair style almost as often as his underpants - and now it seems he’s bleached his hair to match his wife’s barnet.
The footy star, who turns 32 next week, showed off his new do on Wednesday to his Real Madrid teammates - whose non-stop teasing prompted him to train in a beanie hat yesterday.
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David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2nd May 1975 and despite being a renowned national and international footballer, is probably more famous for his marriage to ‘Posh’, aka Victoria Beckham, their bizarrely named children and continued coverage in the gossip press.
Beckham’s football career began its steady climb when he first signed a trainee’s contract with Man U in 1991, making his league debut in 1995.
His contribution at Man U saw the team climb the ladder that is the English Premiere League and by 1998 he had also established himself on the international scene.
In 1998 Beckham was part of the England squad at the World Cup, but received a red card in the quarter final, for kicking out in anger at Argentian player Diego Simeone. England lost the game on penalties and David’s on-pitch behaviour became the object of much criticism on his return to England.
Despite his instrumental part in Man U claiming the Treble, Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, in the 98/99 season, Beckham’s real rise to fame didn’t start until 2000 when he was promoted to captain the England team.
In 2001 his performance in a qualifying match against Greece saved the day for the England team and shortly afterwards he was voted Sports Personality of the Year. In 2002 his leadership saw an unprecedented 5-1 defeat of Germany in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. The team went on to knock Argentina out of the cup on penalties, before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winners Brazil.
Relations at home with Man U were strained during this time. A number of injuries left their star player incapacitated, whilst his growing celebrity status appeared to cause friction with teammates and manager alike.
In 2003 we all heard about the infamous ‘boot’ incident, when apparently, following a defeat against Arsenal, manager Alex Ferguson kicked a football boot at Beckham, it struck his eye causing a gash that required stitches.
In the summer of 2003 Beckham surprised fans by announcing a move to Spanish dream team Real Madrid, with whom he signed a four-year contract. During his time in Spain he split his time between the Spanish capital and his family who had remained at their home in England.
Despite winning over the fans in Spain and scoring well in the first season, the team itself didn’t perform well and were knocked out of both the Spanish and Champions League. It wasn’t until his fourth season in 2006/7 that the team won the Spanish Le Liga title, Beckham’s first since his arrival at the club.
During his time in Spain Beckham spent as much time in the papers as he did on the pitch, when accusations of an affair with personal assistant Rebecca Loos were printed in the tabloid press. His wife’s refusal to move to Spain fuelled yet further accusations that the marriage was on the rocks.
His career as England captain also seemed to be strained at this time, when during the 2006 World Cup he was substituted, a move that saw him weeping on the sideline. Shortly after this incident Beckham took the bold step of standing down from his position as captain and was subsequently dropped from the squad all together.
At the beginning of 2007 Beckham announced his swift departure from Real Madrid, in order to cross the Atlantic and join Los Angeles Galaxy.
2007 has seen the whole family move Stateside, with the Beckham’s continuing their domination of the world media in an attempt to ‘conquer’ the USA.
David and Victoria married on July 4th 1999 and have three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz
Updated July 2007
November 2007