<P> Known for his range of passing, crossing ability and bending free - kicks as a right winger, Beckham was runner up in the Ballon d'Or, twice runner - up for FIFA World Player of the Year and in 2004 was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players . He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 . A global ambassador for the sport, Beckham is regarded as a British cultural icon . </P> <P> Beckham's professional club career began with Manchester United, where he made his first - team debut in 1992 aged 17 . With United, he won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999 . He then played four seasons with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga championship in his final season with the club . In July 2007 Beckham signed a five - year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy . While a Galaxy player, he spent two loan spells in Italy with Milan in 2009 and 2010 . He was the first British footballer to play 100 UEFA Champions League games . </P> <P> In international football, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996 at the age of 21 . He was captain for six years, earning 58 caps during his tenure . He made 115 career appearances in total, appearing at three FIFA World Cup tournaments, in 1998, 2002 and 2006, and two UEFA European Championship tournaments, in 2000 and 2004 . </P> <P> Beckham has consistently ranked among the highest earners in football, and in 2013 was listed as the highest - paid player in the world, having earned over $50 million in the previous 12 months . He has been married to Victoria Beckham since 1999 and they have four children . He has been a UNICEF UK ambassador since 2005, and in 2015 he launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund . In 2014, MLS announced that Beckham and a group of investors would own an expansion team in Miami, which will begin in 2020 . </P>

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