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David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born May 2, 1975 in Leytonstone, London) is an English footballer. He currently plays for Real Madrid and as captain of the English national team, especially noted for the quality of his crossing and ability to hit free-kicks and corners, particularly from long-range. He is also famed for his celebrity lifestyle trappings, media attention and marketing potential.

He signed schoolboy forms for Manchester United in 1989, became a trainee in 1991 and signed a professional contract with them soon after making his first first-team appearance in 1992. By 1995, he had established himself as a first-team player at United and won Premier League and FA Cup winners' medals with the club in 1996. He was soon selected to play for England, but after winning another league medal in 1997, he was sent off in a World Cup match against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone. Beckham became a figure of public hatred among many English football supporters, but he continued to play well and helped United win the league, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League the following year. His relationship with the club's manager Sir Alex Ferguson began to deteriorate, though, and although he won further league championships with United in 2000 and 2001, he left the club to join Real Madrid in 2003. While his performances for Real Madrid have attracted praise, the team itself has been in turmoil. As of November 2005, Beckham has had 5 different coaches in Real Madrid and failed to win any major trophies with his struggling new team.

Beckham's relationship with and marriage to the former Spice Girl Victoria (née Adams) has contributed towards him becoming a major celebrity away from football, and his name was searched for on Google more than that of any other sporting personality in 2003 and 2004.[1] The Beckhams have three sons, Brooklyn, born March 4, 1999, Romeo, born September 1, 2002, and Cruz, born February 20, 2005.