Editing David Beckham (section)

===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>