Editing David Beckham (section)

==Player profile==
===Style of play===
[[File:Beckham first goal LA Galaxy.jpg|thumb|Beckham scoring with a bending free kick in 2007. His typical pose when striking free-kicks or crossing the ball in open play, his body leans to the left to generate extra whip on the ball.]]
Throughout his career, Beckham was considered one of the best and most recognisable players of his generation, as well as one of the greatest [[Free kick (association football)|free-kick]] exponents of all time.<ref name="Beckham best generation"/><ref name="best freekick takers history"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Ranking the 16 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time |access-date=14 October 2020 |magazine=Bleacher Report |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806214301/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref> As of September 2023, Beckham ranks joint-5th all time (alongside [[Lionel Messi]]) in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Most goals via free-kicks in football history |url=https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick-goals-football-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=Sports Adda |date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221143/https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick-goals-football-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham has been rated by some pundits as one of the greatest wide midfielders of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://bleacherreport.com/articles/133999-greatest-ever-football-top-ten-right-midfielders-of-all-time |title= Greatest Ever: Football: Top 10 Right-Midfielders of All Time |publisher= BleacherReport |access-date= 10 May 2023 |archive-date= 10 May 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230510192710/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/133999-greatest-ever-football-top-ten-right-midfielders-of-all-time |url-status= live }}</ref> Predominantly right-footed, his range of passing, vision, [[Cross (association football)|crossing]] ability and [[Curl (association football)|bending]] free-kicks enabled him to create chances for teammates or score goals, attributes that saw him excel as a [[right winger]], despite his lack of significant pace.<ref name="Kings of the free-kick"/><ref name="United Legends"/><ref name="ESPN 2002 Profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/england/players/beckhamdavid.html |title=England – Who's Who: David Beckham |publisher=ESPN FC |date=3 September 2002 |access-date=10 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610193540/http://www.espnfc.com/england/players/beckhamdavid.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike his Manchester United teammate [[Ryan Giggs]] on the opposite wing, Beckham preferred to beat players through his movement and passing, rather than going at opponents directly with the ball.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/23/sport.comment1 |title=Famous five for the heart of Eriksson's new England |work=The Guardian |last1=Atkinson |first1=Ron |last2=Campbell |first2=Sol |date=23 February 2001 |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605175739/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/23/sport.comment1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He formed a strong partnership on the right side of the pitch with full-back [[Gary Neville]] during his time with the club, due to their understanding, as well as Neville's ability to get forward with his overlapping runs, get on the end of Beckham's passes, and deliver crosses into the box whenever the latter was heavily marked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/tactics/gary-neville-forge-menacing-full-back-and-winger-partnership#:Jw2w5s73y-Ym0A|title=Gary Neville: Forge a menacing full-back and winger partnership|work=FourFourTwo|last1=Welch|first1=Ben|date=11 June 2013|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-date=10 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210051416/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/tactics/gary-neville-forge-menacing-full-back-and-winger-partnership#:Jw2w5s73y-Ym0A|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="farewell">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/02/farewell-to-gary-neville|title=Farewell to Gary Neville, the finest right-back of his generation|work=The Guardian|last1=Williams|first1=Richard|date=2 February 2011|access-date=19 May 2016|archive-date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625150143/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/02/farewell-to-gary-neville|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although Beckham primarily played on the right flank, he was also used as a central midfielder throughout his career (occasionally with Manchester United, but in particular with Real Madrid and AC Milan),<ref name="Fans beg Kaka to stay"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/18/sir-alex-ferguson-david-beckham-milan |title=Milan wrong to play David Beckham in central midfield says Sir Alex Ferguson |work=The Guardian |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124054702/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/18/sir-alex-ferguson-david-beckham-milan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Golden Goal">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/aug/19/golden-goal-david-beckham-manchester-united-wimbledon-1996-halfway-line |title=Golden Goal: David Beckham for Man Utd against Wimbledon (1996) |work=The Guardian |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |date=19 August 2016 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610231417/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/aug/19/golden-goal-david-beckham-manchester-united-wimbledon-1996-halfway-line |url-status=live }}</ref> and on rare instances as a [[Playmaker#Deep-lying playmakers|deep-lying playmaker]], in particular in his later career, to compensate for his physical decline with his advancing age.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/1847278/headline |title=Could Beckham have played in the middle? |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Okwonga |first1=Musa |date=19 March 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611020531/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/1847278/headline |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1424372-david-beckham-tactical-evolution-of-man-utd-real-madrid-and-la-galaxy-star |title=David Beckham: Tactical Evolution of Man Utd, Real Madrid and L.A. Galaxy Star |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Tighe |first1=Sam |date=27 November 2012 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610185039/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1424372-david-beckham-tactical-evolution-of-man-utd-real-madrid-and-la-galaxy-star |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham felt that his best role was on the right, although he personally preferred playing in the [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|centre]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/2369338/becks-nominates-best-position |title=Becks nominates best position |last1=Marshall |first1=Adam |work=Sky Sports |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610212530/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/2369338/becks-nominates-best-position |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to his passing, crossing, and prowess from [[Set piece (football)|set-pieces]], Beckham stood out for his stamina and defensive work-rate on the pitch, having played both as an [[attacking midfielder]] and as a [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box midfielder]] in his youth;<ref name="Golden Goal"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Becks' defending masterclass |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527147.stm |date=2 March 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527147.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/david-beckham-50-interesting-facts-you-might-not-know-about/1f4swedpi4c691xewy292m2v6g |title=David Beckham: 50 interesting facts you might not know about the ex-Man Utd & Real Madrid midfielder |publisher=Goal.com |date=21 June 2019 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611021454/https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/david-beckham-50-interesting-facts-you-might-not-know-about/1f4swedpi4c691xewy292m2v6g |url-status=live }}</ref> he was occasionally deployed as a [[Defender (association football)#Wing-back|wing-back]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham faces axe for England's Cup opener |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/beckham-faces-axe-for-englands-cup-opener-26183739.html |work=The Irish independent |last1=Holt |first1=Oliver |date=13 June 1998 |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182910/https://www.independent.ie/sport/beckham-faces-axe-for-englands-cup-opener-26183739.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, he was also an accurate striker of the ball from distance,<ref name="Golden Goal"/><ref name="Hit the net with David Beckham">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3534000/3534331.stm |title=Hit the net with David Beckham |date=5 March 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414120827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3534000/3534331.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as being a competent [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] taker.<ref name="Hit the net with David Beckham"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1344677-manchester-uniteds-seven-most-spot-on-penalty-takers-under-alex-ferguson#slide5 |title=Manchester United's 7 Most Spot-on Penalty Takers Under Alex Ferguson |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Jamie |date=23 September 2012 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610221750/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1344677-manchester-uniteds-seven-most-spot-on-penalty-takers-under-alex-ferguson#slide5 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also drew praise in the media for his ball control<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3532000/3532995.stm |title=Improve your control with Becks |date=12 October 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415063104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3532000/3532995.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and ability to create space for himself on the pitch,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527225.stm |title=How to find space with Becks |date=2 March 2004 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414121205/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/video_masterclasses/newsid_3527000/3527225.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as his anticipation, composure, determination, athleticism, dedication, and intelligence as a footballer.<ref name="ESPN 2002 Profile"/><ref name="Soccer and Spice"/><ref name="top 20">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2374617/The-Top-20.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2374617/The-Top-20.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Top 20 |work=The Telegraph |date=10 March 2004 |access-date=17 April 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Approach to training and praise from managers===
{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="David Beckham is Britain's finest striker of a football not because of God-given talent but because he practises with a relentless application that the vast majority of less gifted players wouldn't contemplate."|source=—Former Manchester United manager [[Alex Ferguson]].<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>}}
Beckham was a product of Sir [[Alex Ferguson]]'s hard-working approach at Manchester United. Ferguson said that Beckham "practised with a discipline to achieve an accuracy that other players wouldn't care about."<ref name="Kings of the free-kick">{{cite news |url=http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1551015/index.html |title=Kings of the free-kick |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=20 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617103741/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1551015/index.html |archivedate=17 June 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Beckham takes a great leap forward">{{cite news|last1=Barclay|first1=Patrick|title=Ferguson happy as Beckham takes a great leap forward|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/2995526/Ferguson-happy-as-Beckham-takes-a-great-leap-forward.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/2995526/Ferguson-happy-as-Beckham-takes-a-great-leap-forward.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=18 December 2014|date=30 December 2000}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Beckham reportedly spent hours practising his free kicks after training sessions had ended.<ref name="United Legends">{{cite web|url=http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/DavidBeckham.htm|title=Manchester United Legends – David Beckham|publisher=manutdzone.com|access-date=28 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818030242/http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/DavidBeckham.htm|archive-date=18 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/17/david-beckham-alex-ferguson-manchester-united |title=David Beckham: product of Sir Alex Ferguson's school of hard graft |work=The Guardian |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005160752/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/17/david-beckham-alex-ferguson-manchester-united |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Zidane still the master">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400339/Zidane-still-the-master.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400339/Zidane-still-the-master.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Zidane still the master |work=The Telegraph |last1=Hayward |first1=Paul |date=26 April 2003 |access-date=25 October 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Beckham maintained his training routine at Real Madrid and even when his relationship with management was strained in early 2007, Real Madrid president [[Ramón Calderón]] and manager [[Fabio Capello]] praised Beckham for maintaining his professionalism and commitment to the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/13/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Real-Madrid-Beckham.php |title=Coach says Beckham won't play again for Real Madrid |work=International Herald Time |date=13 January 2007 |access-date=28 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620123856/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/13/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Real-Madrid-Beckham.php |archive-date=20 June 2007 }}</ref> Beckham's Real Madrid teammate [[Roberto Carlos]] regarded Beckham to be the best free-kick exponent he had ever seen.<ref name="Roberto Carlos"/> One of the other best free kick exponents of their generation, Roberto Carlos, commented on the dilemma the team faced when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area: "I would stand on one side and Beckham on the other but I wanted to see Beckham take the free-kick because it's beautiful how he hits the ball."<ref name="Roberto Carlos">{{cite news|title=Beckham is best says Roberto Carlos|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01d5-0e70b1cdb2aa-fdc08ead8e7c-1000--beckham-is-best-says-roberto-carlos/|website=[[UEFA]]|date=9 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311073517/https://www.uefa.com/news/01d5-0e70b1cdb2aa-fdc08ead8e7c-1000--beckham-is-best-says-roberto-carlos/|url-status=live |archive-date=11 March 2022|access-date=17 September 2022|df=dmy-all}}</ref> During Beckham's time with Milan, his manager [[Carlo Ancelotti]] praised the Englishman for his intelligence and work-rate, in particular the improvements he demonstrated to the technical and tactical aspects of his game, which allowed him to compensate for his loss of pace.<ref name="Milan never intended to play David Beckham"/>

His former England manager [[Steve McClaren]] stated: <blockquote>I've been very fortunate to work with some great players and he [Beckham] was one of them. He was a great player, he made the very most of his talents and that was through sheer hard work, professionalism, always doing extra on the training field. He inspired his team-mates through his performances, he was a winner. He was a leader, people followed him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-reaction |title=David Beckham retires: 'He was a leader, people followed him' |work=The Guardian |last1=Jackson |first1=Jamie |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311200150/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/16/david-beckham-retires-reaction |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote> Arsenal manager [[Arsène Wenger]] stated, "What remains in your memory is his genuine commitment and dedication, his natural humility which he always had, that will stay forever."<ref name="Quote"/>

In May 2013, asked about how he wanted to be remembered in his retirement, Beckham said, "I just want people to see me as a hardworking footballer, someone that's passionate about the game, someone that – every time I stepped on the pitch – I've given everything that I have, because that's how I feel. That's how I look back on it and hope people will see me."<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>

===Discipline===
Earlier in his career, Beckham's discipline during matches was brought into question on occasion in the media, due to his temper and his tendency to commit rash challenges and pick up unnecessary bookings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/594307.stm |title=Beckham: Help or hindrance? |work=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2000 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128011318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/594307.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-summons-beckham-over-poor-discipline-1122910.html |title=Football: FA summons Beckham over poor discipline |newspaper=The Independent |last1=Harris |first1=Nick |date=28 September 1999 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418125015/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-summons-beckham-over-poor-discipline-1122910.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Beckham was the first England player ever to collect two red cards, and the first England captain to be sent off.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article576493.ece|title=Beckham red card but joy for Sven|newspaper=[[The Times]]|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510204225/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article576493.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beckham's most notorious red card was during the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] after Argentina's [[Diego Simeone]] had fouled him: Beckham, lying face down on the pitch, kicked out at the Argentine midfielder, who fell dramatically.<ref name="Argentina"/> Along with [[Wayne Rooney]], he holds the record for the most red cards for England at international level.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2057966/headline |title=Wayne Rooney's controversial foul vs. West Ham not his first gaffe |publisher=ESPN FC |date=27 September 2014 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611020744/https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2057966/headline |url-status=live }}</ref> His second red card for England came on 8 October 2005, in a [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2006 World Cup qualifier]] against Austria in Manchester.<ref name="Beckham's career red cards"/>

His only red card with Manchester United came on 6 January 2000, in the [[2000 FIFA Club World Championship]] against Necaxa.<ref name="Beckham's career red cards"/> During his time at Real Madrid, he amassed 41 yellow cards and four red cards in La Liga; he also received a red card in a Copa del Rey match against Valencia on 21 January 2004, in Madrid.<ref name="Beckham's career red cards">{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-beckham-statbox/statbox-david-beckhams-career-red-cards-idUKL1719114020070217 |title=STATBOX-David Beckham's career red cards |work=Reuters |date=17 February 2007 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611024349/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-beckham-statbox/statbox-david-beckhams-career-red-cards-idUKL1719114020070217 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="espnfc.com">{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/8880/david-beckham?cc=5739|title=ESPN player statistics: David Beckham|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=29 April 2013|archive-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602144129/http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/8880/david-beckham?cc=5739|url-status=live}}</ref> His only red card with LA Galaxy came on 15 August 2009, in a 2–0 home defeat to the Seattle Sounders in MLS.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/16/david-beckham-red-card-la-galaxy |title=David Beckham hits new low at LA Galaxy with red card in 17th minute |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 August 2009 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610064745/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/16/david-beckham-red-card-la-galaxy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2013/04/29/david-beckhams-only-mls-red-card-la-galaxy-vs-seattle-sounders-2009 |title=David Beckham's only MLS Red Card – LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders 2009 |publisher=MLS Soccer |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730122934/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2013/04/29/david-beckhams-only-mls-red-card-la-galaxy-vs-seattle-sounders-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> He received one red card while at Paris Saint-Germain, in a match against Evian on 28 April 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22334844 |title=David Beckham sent off after six minutes in PSG victory |work=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016225936/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22334844 |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2000 and 2013, Beckham played 572 competitive games for England, Milan, LA Galaxy, Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG, and he received nine red cards – one every 63–64 matches, on average.<ref name="espnfc.com"/>

===Reception===
[[File:David Beckham at Madame Tussauds London.jpg|thumb|upright|Wax statue of Beckham at [[Madame Tussauds]], London]]
Despite his success, popularity, and playing ability, critical reception of Beckham was often divided among sporting figures and fans throughout his career, in part – as Subhankar Mondal of ''[[Goal (website)|Goal]]'' notes – due to his ventures off the pitch, and the widespread coverage that his personal life received.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2008/08/10/812272/debate-is-david-beckham-truly-great |title=Debate: Is David Beckham Truly Great? |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Mondal |first1=Subhankar |date=10 August 2008 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611045426/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2008/08/10/812272/debate-is-david-beckham-truly-great |url-status=live }}</ref> His former Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, speculated in 2007 that Beckham's increasing celebrity status, in particular following his highly publicised relationship with his future wife [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria]], had actually had a negative impact on his playing career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11573971/David-Beckham-in-40-quotes.html |title=David Beckham in 40 quotes |work=The Telegraph |last1=Richman |first1=Darren |date=2 May 2015 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610151832/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11573971/David-Beckham-in-40-quotes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, he claimed he had only coached four world class players throughout his time at United, excluding Beckham from the list, commenting: "I don't mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world class: [[Eric Cantona|Cantona]], [[Ryan Giggs|Giggs]], [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] and [[Paul Scholes|Scholes]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sir-alex-ferguson-claims-he-managed-just-four-world-class-players-in-26-years-at-manchester-united-10511947.html |title=Sir Alex Ferguson claims he managed just four world class players in 26 years at Manchester United |work=The Independent |last1=Rice |first1=Simon |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102124631/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sir-alex-ferguson-claims-he-managed-just-four-world-class-players-in-26-years-at-manchester-united-10511947.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Upon his departure to LA Galaxy, {{Lang|es|[[El País]]}} reflected on the dichotomy of Beckham's playing career and his status off the pitch, describing him as "the great paradox of world football", also adding: <blockquote>He is the greatest icon on the planet and the cause of such delirium in the media and on the streets, the greatest catwalk model there is. And yet he has been an anti-diva. He was the most galactic of the galacticos off the pitch, but the greatest of earthlings when he walked on to the field.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2315481/Spain-bids-farewell-to-Beckham.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2315481/Spain-bids-farewell-to-Beckham.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Spain bids farewell to Beckham |work=The Telegraph |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid |date=19 June 2007 |access-date=2 April 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref></blockquote> Regarding Beckham's crossing ability, Rob Smyth of ''[[The Guardian]]'' said in 2014: "he was a great crosser and perhaps the greatest of all time," also noting that "he was a dead-ball specialist and also a dying-ball specialist: [...] his signature crosses in open play involved a ball that was barely moving, which allowed him to use the same technique as with corners and free-kicks."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/14/joy-of-six-crosses-david-beckham |title=The Joy of Six: football crosses |work=The Guardian |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |date=14 February 2014 |access-date=3 April 2020 |archive-date=26 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426113720/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/14/joy-of-six-crosses-david-beckham |url-status=live }}</ref> Nigel Reed of [[CBC Sports]] commented on Beckham's career and celebrity status, stating: "His brand is global, his appeal universal. He sparked debate and polarized opinion. But underneath the gloss he was, first and foremost, a very good footballer." He also added that while he felt that "Beckham was not the greatest player of his generation," he believed he had the ability to change games, describing him as "master of his art and a deadly opponent", whose "talent was only topped by his passion."<ref name="Soccer and Spice">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/soccer/opinion/2013/05/david-beckham-soccer-and-spice.html |title=David Beckham: Soccer and Spice |work=CBC Sports |last1=Reed |first1=Nigel |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616210250/https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/soccer/opinion/2013/05/david-beckham-soccer-and-spice.html |url-status=live }}</ref>