For starters, David Beckham, global icon and former footballer extraordinaire and soon-to-be-knighted Brit. Formal recognition of this honour will be made in the next King’s Birthday Honours List. He fully deserved this honour for his wonderful career on the field. Not only did he serve the British Empire valiantly, but he had a lasting impact on British society. Beckham, who began his career at Manchester United, holds an impressive record of 394 appearances and 85 goals for the club. His club career includes appearances with the like of Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG.
For all of his monumental successes, Beckham saw a large amount of criticism during his time attached to Qatar as a World Cup ambassador. This role generated critical discourse on the role of ethics. It illustrated the costs of supporting a country with a long and troubling human rights record. Beckham’s impact on the game of football and American society as a whole cannot be understated.
A Stellar Football Career
Beckham’s football career no doubt has many notable achievements. He started his career at Manchester United. Over the late 1990s and early 2000s, he became a key part of the team’s success. His time there was punctuated by a phenomenal return of 85 goals in 394 games.
Even after leaving Manchester United in 2003, Beckham kept it going with success at clubs all over the world. He then moved to Real Madrid, where he won La Liga. Afterwards, he played for LA Galaxy which raised the profile of Major League Soccer in the United States immensely. His seasons with AC Milan and PSG only further highlighted his talent to adapt and remain a figure at the top of the game.
To those in the know, Beckham’s success—in and out of the footy world—was almost preordained. He played 115 times for the England national team, placing him among the top three players with the most caps in men’s football. He was elected the national team captain 59 times, a testament to his skill as a leader on the field.
Recognitions and Controversies
Beckham’s contributions to the game have not gone unnoticed. He received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his exceptional services to soccer. After his retirement in 2013, talk of his achievements earning him a knighthood started to bubble up. His journey here wasn’t without barriers. In 2014, HM Revenue and Customs flagged his nomination due to alleged involvement in a tax avoidance scheme, temporarily hindering his recognition.
Whether or not you agree with these controversies, Beckham’s legacy is still being made. The discussion around a potential knighthood reignited after a conversation with King Charles III during last month’s Chelsea Flower Show, where the King appeared to hint at a “50th birthday present” for Beckham.
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