David Beckham career, life bio: All you need to know about soccer legend, including net worth, wife and kids, and former teams

David Beckham is one of the most recognisable faces in the world of soccer, even for those who never got to see him play.

A star performer during Manchester United's dominant period of the 1990s and early 2000s, a Galactico with Real Madrid and one of the most influential figures in modern MLS history, Beckham was also England captain for six years. His triumphs on the pitch would be the envy of most footballers in the world, and he remains an all-time great of the Premier League era.

Since retirement, Beckham the businessman has enjoyed a similar level of success. Indeed, the Beckham brand is one of the most lucrative in the world thanks to the work of David and his wife, Victoria.

As the Inter Miami co-owner turns 50 years old, The Sporting News runs through everything you need to know about the trailblazing "celebrity footballer".

MORE: Top goal-scorers in Premier League history | Most assists in Premier League history

David Beckham net worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Beckham is worth approximately $450 million.

His fortune comes from his successful football career, plus his numerous commercial endorsements and other business ventures.

He signed a lucrative but highly controversial contract to become a tourism ambassador for Qatar in the build-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

David Beckham wife and kids: How many children does he have with Victoria?

David Beckham married Victoria Beckham, nee Adams, in July 1999. The former pop star, a member of the hugely successful all-girl group The Spice Girls, began dating the footballer in early 2007.

The couple have four children: three sons — Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 20 — and daughter Harper, 13.

How old is David Beckham?

Beckham was born on May 2, 1975 in London. He turned 50 years old in 2025.

What teams did David Beckham play for?

Beckham began his career with Manchester United, where he progressed through the academy breaking into the first team as part of the fabled 'Class of '92' under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Between 1992 and 2003, Beckham played 394 games in all competitions for United, scoring 85 goals. Predominantly a right-winger, he was part of a formidable four-man midfield that included Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, which proved to be the heartbeat of a team that won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the 1999 UEFA Champions League. That same year, United became the first English side in history to win the treble of league, FA Cup and European Cup trophies.

Beckham signed for Real Madrid in 2003 and played 155 games for the Spanish giants, winning La Liga in 2006/07 shortly before leaving for MLS side LA Galaxy. He won two MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields with the franchise, interspersing his time in the United States with loan spells at Serie A heavyweights AC Milan.

Beckham won the 2012/13 Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain before retiring at the end of the season.

At international level, Beckham won 115 senior caps for England, putting him third on the all-time list for his country. 

He became the target of appalling criticism and abuse after being sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone in England's last-16 exit to Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. Two years later, Beckham was made captain by new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and led the team to qualification for the 2002 finals with a stunning last-minute free-kick in a qualifier against Greece.

Beckham played at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as Euro 2004, although England never went beyond the quarterfinal stage at any of those tournaments. He stepped down as captain after they were eliminated by Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.

MORE: The leading England goal-scorers in history

Does David Beckham own Inter Miami?

Beckham is a co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami. He joined the original ownership group, then known as Miami Beckham United, back in 2013, having negotiated the option to found an expansion team at a reduced cost when he signed for LA Galaxy as a player in 2007.

The club played its first league season in 2020 and quickly set about recruiting established stars to help promote its global brand while competing for trophies. Former Real Madrid and Argentina star Gonzalo Higuain, and ex-Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, were among the first big names to join the club.

In 2023, Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami along with former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Luis Suarez soon followed. In his first year at the club, Messi led them to success in the Leagues Cup. A year later, they claimed the MLS Supporters' Shield after finishing top of the regular-season standings.

David Beckham, Victoria 'be honest' meme explained

The Netflix documentary "Beckham", released in 2023, offered an insight into the lives of the celebrity couple. It also spawned a brilliant meme.

In the episode, Victoria is speaking about her upbringing and mentions that she and her husband both came from a "working class" family, which was part of what drew her and David together. At this point, David pokes his head into the room where Victoria's interview is being conducted and says: "Be honest!"

Victoria replies "I am being honest", and David responds: "What car did your Dad drive you to school in?" After a further back-and-forth, Victoria admits: "Okay, in the 80s, my dad had a Rolls Royce." David says "Thank you!", and exits the room.

BECKHAM, the documentary series that reminded us to Be Honest, has earned 5 Emmy nominations including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. pic.twitter.com/ArZtgIfBhh

David discussed the incident during an episode of Hot Ones last August, admitting that director Fisher Stevens was not happy when he interrupted Victoria's interview.

"That particular day was Victoria's first day of filming, when she sat there, doors closed, and then I was about to leave for the office, but I made a coffee, and then I saw a spare set of headphones, so I put the headphones on, and I heard Fisher talking about our parents and our upbringing," he said.

“And then all of a sudden, I heard her say, 'You know, we're working class.' And that moment, I was like, 'Okay.' I headed to the door. I opened the door, and I saw Fisher's face, and he was not happy. I was like, 'Be honest.' The camera guys were so amazing because they literally panned over to me in the door. And that was really a moment that, yeah, kind of went viral, but Fisher was not happy. Fisher was really not happy."

David Beckham, Matt Damon advert: 'David and Dave' Super Bowl commercial

A commercial for Stella Artois featuring Beckham and Hollywood star Matt Damon featured at this year's Super Bowl.

Directed by Damon's long-time collaborator Ben Affleck, the advert told the story of Beckham discovering he had a long-long twin in the United States.

Beckham told Forbes: "For me to actually get pitched an idea with them in it — with Ben directing, Matt being my long-lost twin brother — you can imagine how daunting that was. Obviously, to have them next to me, kind of guiding me and telling me what to do and how to do it — things like that. That is special. You can imagine it was daunting, but I must admit, it was four days that were an incredible four days."