LONDON – Twenty-five trophies, 115 England caps, five international tournaments and countless priceless goals.
As achievements go it does not get much better, but yesterday morning David Beckham received the one medal that famously eluded him during a trophy-laden 21-year career and beyond.
Dressed in a suit tailor made for the occasion by his fashion designer wife, the former footballer was welcomed by King Charles, while receiving his knighthood for services to sport and charity.
The retired footballer and UNICEF ambassador was accompanied by proud parents Ted and Sandra, and devoted wife Victoria, whose elegant black fitted dress was designed exclusively by her own fashion house for Sir David’s meeting with the King.
To think it all began in a humble back garden in Leytonstone, when playing for Manchester United was still a dream and the infant Beckham was painstakingly perfecting his now legendary set pieces under the watchful eye of dad Ted.
He would sign for the Premier League giants as a teenage trainee in 1993, a move that would serve as the catalyst for consistent success – both on and off the pitch.
To date, the former Manchester United and England legend remains the only British footballer to win league titles in four different countries, starting with six Premier League titles in England.
With Sir Alex Ferguson as manager he would also lift the FA Cup twice and serve be a key component in the club’s legendary treble winning season, culminating in a last gasp Champions League defeat of Bayern Munich in 1999.
He would go on to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, joining Brazilian striker Ronaldo and French midfielder Zinedine Zidane as the latest in a long line of Galácticos to represent the legendary Spanish club.
But he would play through a barren spell for Los Blancos before finally winning his only La Liga title with the club in 2007, shortly before leaving European football for a new challenge in the United States.
There, he would become an ambassador for the sport through his endeavours with Los Angeles Galaxy, guiding the Western Conference club to a remarkable ten trophies.
With retirement looming, Sir David’s indian summer would come in France, with Paris Saint Germain signing the footballer on a short term contract that would see him end his career with a Ligue 1 title in 2013.
An England legend, he represented his country 115 times – 58 as captain – after making his debut for the former Three Lions manager Glenn Hoddle against Moldova in 1996.
But like so many before him a trophy would elude the footballer as he played for five consecutive full time England managers across five consecutive tournaments, including three World Cups.
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