David Beckham

David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born May 2, 1975) is an English footballer from Leytonstone, London. He is a midfielder who currently plays for Real Madrid and captains the English national team. He is especially noted for the quality of his crossing and ability to hit free-kicks and corners, particularly long-range free-kicks.

Real Madrid

On June 17, 2003, Beckham signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid of Spain, potentially worth up to ?35 million (£25 million, USD 41 million). The transfer was completed on 1 July.

Related Topics:
June 17 - 2003 - Contract - Real Madrid - Spain - ? - £ - USD - 1 July

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It was speculated that Real's desire to sign him came from the merchandising opportunities he would bring as well as from his football ability. For example, Real Madrid shirts bearing his name and number sold out in Madrid on the day his transfer was completed and the club were expected to receive ?624,000 for the sale of the shirts. At the time the transfer was announced, Beckham and his wife were on a week-long tour of Asia promoting beauty products, chocolate, motor oil, and mobile phones. It was reported that this tour would earn more money for the Beckhams than the first year of David's Real Madrid contract.

Related Topics:
Madrid - Chocolate - Mobile phone

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Although Beckham had worn the number seven shirt for Manchester United and England, he chose number 23 at Madrid. This was in tribute to Michael Jordan, who wore 23 for the Chicago Bulls, and possibly because Raúl had the contractual right to wear 7 for Real.

Related Topics:
Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls - Raúl

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2003-04 season: Rebecca Loos, disappointment at Euro 2004

Beckham immediately became a favourite with the Real Madrid supporters, scoring five times in his first 16 matches, but the team, whose club president expected them to win either the Spanish league or the Champions League each season, were not performing well. Beckham had further problems in April 2004, when the British tabloid News of the World carried claims by his former personal assistant Rebecca Loos that he and Loos had had an extramarital affair. A week later, the Malaysian-born Australian model Sarah Marbeck claimed that she had slept with Beckham on two occasions. Beckham dismissed both accusations as "ludicrous".{{ref|loos}}

Related Topics:
News of the World - Rebecca Loos - Sarah Marbeck

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Near the end of the 2003-04 season, The Daily Telegraph reported that Beckham's major sponsors were trying to arrange for him to return to England for the 2004-05 season. Sources within the family told the Telegraph that Beckham would almost certainly be back in London. Real Madrid denied rumours that they were interested in selling Beckham, and banned British reporters from access to the team.

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Beckham played in all of England's matches at {{Ec2|2004}}, but the tournament was a disappointment for him. He had a penalty saved by former Manchester United team-mate Fabien Barthez in England's 2-1 defeat to France and missed another in a penalty shootout in the quarter final against Portugal. England lost the shootout and went out of the competition.

Related Topics:
Fabien Barthez - France - Penalty shootout - Portugal

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2004-05 season

In July 2004, an intruder was arrested at David Beckham's home for scaling a wall with a can of gasoline. The Sun reported that the man appeared angry with Beckham and intended to burn down the house.

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Controversy over deliberate booking

Beckham made more headlines on 9 October when he admitted he had intentionally fouled Ben Thatcher in an England match against Wales in order to get himself booked. Beckham was due to receive a one-match suspension for his next caution, and picked up an injury which he knew would keep him out of England's next match, so he deliberately fouled Thatcher in order to serve his suspension in a match that he would have had to miss anyway. The Football Association asked Beckham for an explanation of his actions and he admitted that he had "made a mistake" and apologised.{{ref|walesbooking}}

Related Topics:
9 October - Ben Thatcher - Wales - Caution - The Football Association

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In November 2004 it was reported that Real Madrid intended to offer Beckham a two-year extension to his contract, which would effectively keep him in Madrid for the remainder of his playing career.

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The following month, the announcement of plans for the christening of the Beckhams' two children, including the construction of a fake Gothic chapel for £120,000 on the grounds of their Berkshire estate, were received with some ridicule, especially as neither are held to be strongly religious.

Related Topics:
Gothic - Berkshire

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2005-06 season

In October 2005, while playing in the World Cup Qualifying match againt Austria, Beckham became the first England captain to be sent off, and the first player to be sent off twice while playing for England. Nonetheless, England held on to win the match 1-0 and later qualified for the 2006 tournament due to results elsewhere.

Related Topics:
October 2005 - Austria - 2006 tournament

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Summary

For all the incidents and controversies which have littered Beckham's international career, he won his 80th cap in 2005 and, fitness and selection permitting, is set to skipper England at the {{Wc|2006}} in Germany. If so, he will become only the sixth England player to represent his country at three World Cup competitions, and only the third (after Bobby Moore and Bryan Robson) to captain England at more than one World Cup. Beckham is also a reasonable candidate to record 100 appearances for his country.

Related Topics:
Cap - 2005 - Bobby Moore - Bryan Robson

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