Beckham, a man for all seasons

Real Madrid's French player, Zinedine Zidane (L) celebrates his goal with British player, David Beckham (R) during a Premier League match between Real Madrid and Albacete in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, 23 November 2003. AFP PHOTO/Pierre-Philippe MARCOU

Football and media megastar David Beckham completed a blockbuster dream move from Manchester United to the talent laden line up of Real Madrid in June 2003 for a fee of some 35 million euros.

--UK OUT--

For this king's ransom the Spanish club picked up not only a man known as one of the game's finest players, but they also employed the world's most marketable footballer.

Family man, fashion guru, gay icon, consumate athlete and drop dead handsome to boot, Beckham is a veritable man for all seasons.

On the field the debate rages as to whether his best position is on the right wing or in central midfield but what is certain is his mastery of free kicks and crosses.

Before leaving United the midfielder helped the English giants to six championships, two FA Cups and the European Champions League, a tally he hoped to add to in Madrid given the fact his teammates include Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul.

But French side Monaco beat Real in the Champions League, Valencia won the Spanish Championship and Real lost in the Spanish Cup final. Beckham has failed to learn Spanish, his form has dipped and problems in his private life could see him return to England after Euro 2004.

Redemption

English midfielder David Beckham (R) scores a goal in front of Argentinian goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero during the Group F first round match Argentina/England of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, 07 June 2001 at Sapporo Dome Stadium. AFP PHOTO/HORACIO VILLALOBOS/DIARIO POPULAR

English midfielder David Beckham jubilates after he scored a goal during the Group F first round match Argentina/England of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, 07 June 2001 at Sapporo Dome Stadium. AFP PHOTO ODD ANDERSEN

But Beckham remains the talisman of Sven-Goran Eriksson's promising England team, who he captained at the 2002 World Cup after recovering from a broken foot on the eve of the tournament.

When he scored the penalty that gave England a 1-0 win over arch rivals Argentina, English fans errupted with joy at the goal that marked the end of a personal journey.

The Londoner had become a national scapegoat and hooligan hate target at France 1998 when he was sent off during England's defeat to Argentina, which eliminated them from the tournament.

Some would say his wonderful last minute free-kick in England's final qualifying match against Greece in 2001, which qualified England for Korea-Japan, restored Beckham to idol status across England, but his popularity has gone global.

Spice Girl

Beckham made his first appearance for Manchester United's senior team at the age of 17 when he came on as a substitute against Brighton on September 23, 1992.

England's football captain David Beckham stands with his wife, Victoria, as he shows off the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) he received 27 November, 2003, from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at London's Buckingham Palace. The former Manchester United star, who now plays for Real Madrid, said recently: 'I am honoured and privileged to receive this recognition. It's not just for me but for Manchester United, England, all of my teammates and my family'. AFP PHOTO/FIONA HANSON

Manager Alex Ferguson was in no doubt of Beckham's potential but chose to break his prodigy in slowly, so that Beckham did not start his first full game for United until the spring of 1995 against Leeds United.

His marriage to pop singer Victoria Adams of 'Spice Girl' fame (with whom he has two sons, Brooklyn and Romeo) was a tabloid newspaper editor's dream and Britain's most talked-about couple not only nourish the gossip pages, their every move has now become front page news.

Leads by example

At the end of 1999 his many and varied achievements were officially recognised when he came second to Brazil's Rivaldo in both the European Footballer of the Year "Ballon d'Or" and FIFA's World Footballer of the Year awards.

Forward Dwight Yorke and midfielder David Beckham (top) of Manchester United jubilate after winning the final of the soccer Champions League against Bayern Munich, 26 May 1999 at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. Manchester United won 2-1.

Real Madrid's British midfielder David Beckham (c) kicks the ball to score a goal during the Champions League soccer match against Olympique de Marseille, 26 November 2003 at Velodrome stadium in Marseille. AFP PHOTO BORIS HORVAT

That honour came on the heels of Manchester United's historic treble success when they won the English Championship, the FA Cup and - most impressive of all - the Champions League after a dramatic 2-1 last-gasp win over Bayern Munich.

Eriksson had no hesitation in making Beckham his captain and the Madrid star has thrived on the responsibility, leading England by example.