David Beckham Through the Years

After signing with the club as a trainee in 1991, Beckham made his first-team debut for Manchester United at age 17 as a reserve in its second round Rumbelows Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion.

In a Champions League match against Galatasaray, Beckham scored his first goal for Manchester United -- one of more than 80 goals he would score for the club in 12 years.

One of Beckham's most beautiful goals took place on Manchester United's first day of the 1996 season against Wimbledon. Man U was up by two when Beckham got the ball inside his own half. His eyes darted up for a second before he shot from midfield. The ball went sailing over Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan's head and crashed into the back of the net. Two weeks later he played in his first game with the English national team.

A 21-year-old Beckham made his international debut in a World Cup qualifying game against Moldova in September 1996. The newcomer hid his nerves well, and England snagged the much needed 3-0 win.

Over these two seasons, Beckham and Man U won back-to-back Premier League championships. During the second campaign, Beckham was named 1996 PFA Young Player of the Year and finished second in voting for Player of the Year.

Beckham received a red card and was sent off against Argentina in the second round of the 1998 World Cup after kicking out at Diego Simeone. The tantrum caused a massive public and media outcry. Many fans blamed him for ruining England's shot at winning a World Cup.

Playing in a career-high 52 games, Beckham and Man U completed the historic treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and, in a historic final, the UEFA Champions League (where two late goals set up by Beckham pushed United past Bayern Munich 2-1). Beckham was named runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award (and would be again in 2001).

Beckham caused quite the British tabloid frenzy in 1999 when he wed British pop-sensation Victoria Adams, otherwise known as Posh Spice. Posh and Becks soon become the most famous celebrity couples in the world.

With only seconds left on the clock, England was trailing Greece 2-1 in the game that would determine England's inclusion in the 2002 World Cup. Beckham saved the day for the Three Lions. As millions of fans held their breaths, the team captain curled in a free-kick to force the draw and secure a place for England in South Korea/Japan.

Beckham made up for his 1998 red card by scoring the game's only goal vs. Argentina, a penalty kick in the 44th minute. The win revived England's hopes of advancing from group play and ended up preventing the heavily favored Argentines from doing so themselves.

In April 2002, Beckham fractured a metatarsal in a Champions League quarterfinal game against Deportivo La Coruña. The famed injury made the term 'metatarsal' a colloquial, household name.

Beckham was left with a cut over his left eyebrow after a locker-room feud with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The altercation sparked rumors of a summer transfer for Becks.

After 12 years, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 UEFA Champions League title, Beckham left Manchester United, signing for Spanish rival Real Madrid in a $25 million deal. Since club captain Raúl already wore No. 7 jersey (Beckham's number for Man U), Becks chose to wear No. 23 in honor of his favorite basketball player, Michael Jordan.

In 2004, France Football magazine named Beckham the highest-paid soccer player in the world, citing earnings of approximately $27 million. The sum put Becks above fellow stars Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Raúl and Roberto Carlos.

Beckham became the first English player to score in three World Cups -- and then he vomited on the field. England's superstar team captain took a free kick after Frank Lampard was fouled in the Round of 16 vs. Ecuador. His shot curled over the wall and banked in off the post to give the Three Lions the 1-0 win.

Beckham stepped down as captain of the England national team after his third World Cup. "The time is right to pass on the armband as we enter in a new era," he said.

In 2007, Beckham left European soccer and Real Madrid to play in the U.S. for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. He agreed to a five-year deal with the Galaxy and joined the Hollywood in-crowd in L.A.

In October 2008, AC Milan announced that Beckham would join its team on loan until January. Amidst speculation, Beckham said he intended to return to the Galaxy in time for the start of the season. But, after scoring two goals and two assists in his first five games for Milan, Becks announced that he wanted to leave the Galaxy for good. Beckham finished out the Serie A season in May and will rejoin the Galaxy this month, midway through the MLS season.