The lynchpin of England's current side and still vital to his club, Beckham signed for Manchester United as a trainee on July 8, 1991 and was part of United's famous 1992 Youth Cup winning side. He made his League debut at home to Leeds United in April 1995.

He fully established himself the next year in United's 1995/96 Double winning season as a right-sided midfielder after the departure of Andrei Kanchelskis

A goal from the halfway line in the first game of the 1996/97 season at Wimbledon brought him to star status, which has grown inexorably since. Indeed, it seems that every last bowel movement by Beckham and his wife Victoria, aka 'Posh Spice', make the tabloid press.

Following the wonder goal at Wimbledon he went on a run of amazing performances, scoring a fantastic selection of long-range goals to help United win the Premiership and himself the Young Player of the Year award. He also came second in the Player of the Year voting.

He was included in Glenn Hoddle's squad for France 98. And after being left out of the starting line-up for the first two matches, he then scored a beautiful free-kick against Colombia.

He then made himself a national pariah through being sent-off for aiming a kick at Argentina's Diego Simeone. This led to brainless fans lambasting his every move and terrible abuse of him, his wife and son Brooklyn, who was born in March 1999.

He was an integral part of the Treble winning team and his efforts won him second place behind Rivaldo in the voting for both World and European Player of the Year.

He had a high-profile bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson before the vital 1999/2000 clash with Leeds United in February and looked set to leave Old Trafford, but he ignored the speculation to pledge his future to United and play a key role in United's successful and record-breaking defence of the Premiership title.

The biggest name in English football, Beckham's main attributes are shooting, in open play and especially from free-kicks, a superb range of passing, vision, composure and a dogged determination which will always threaten to spill over.

Through these facets he has developed into English football's greatest player since the early years of Paul Gascoigne.

It was therefore fitting that Peter Taylor named him as England captain in a friendly against Italy in November 2000. With former captain Alan Shearer retired from international football and now defensive lynchpin Tony Adams announcing his retirement Beckham has taken over the mantle.

In his first game as manager Sven Goran Eriksson named Becks as captain of the England team that beat Spain 3-0 at Villa Park in February 2001.

Becks retained the captaincy for the World Cup qualifier against Finland at Anfield in March. He scored England's winning goal - his first international goal from open play - as they triumphed 2-1.

His 2000/01 season at Manchester United was a curate's egg however as he started at his best and banged in the goals that his manager demanded of him.

But after Christmas he found it hard to replicate that form and though he did well for England, his club form dipped as United crashed out of the Champions League in Munich, a game he missed through suspension.

The following season saw him hit heights for both club and country though there were lows too. After a dazzling personal display against Greece for England and some special goals for United, with a strike away at Deportivo La Coruna a particular highlight, he spent some games on the bench as Sir Alex Ferguson rested him.

A revival in form brought by that rest was halted by an infamous injury in the return leg against Deportivo.

He introduced the word 'metatarsal' to the world after a crunching foul from Argentinian Aldo Duscher yet made a return to England's World Cup squad in Japan. Sadly his lack of fitness hampered much of his play but he was still able to gain revenge when he slotted home the winning penalty against Argentina.