Soccer star David Beckham and his wife, Victoria, have denied recent tabloid reports that their marriage is on the rocks. In September, the couple denied similar claims made by a different magazine.
Early years: Beckham was born May 2, 1975, in London. By the age of 8, he had scored over a hundred goals over three seasons for his youth soccer team. At age 11, he won the Bobby Charlton's Soccer Skills Tournament with the highest score ever posted.
Career: Beckham signed up with Manchester United as a trainee in 1991 at age 16. In 1992, he helped the United Youth team win the F.A. Youth Cup. He played his first pro game for Manchester in 1993.
By 1996 Beckham was a regular player and quickly became one of the most popular in England by winning the Football Association's Premier League, Cup and Charity Shield awards all in the same year. He was also one of the most well-paid players, earning more than $12 million a year. In 1997 he won the Professional Football Association's Young Player of the Year Award and the Sir Matt Busby Award. In 1999, he won another F.A. Cup and the International Federation of Football Association's World Player of the Year Award. In 2002 he led his team to the quarterfinals. This summer he was traded to Spain's Real Madrid.
Beckham is currently promoting his newly published book, "My Side."
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Family: Beckham and his wife, singer Victoria Adams, formerly of the all-female pop quintet The Spice Girls, are considered one of the most popular couples in Europe. They married in 1999 and have two sons.
In his words: "I have come to accept that if I have a new haircut it is front-page news."
Web link: www.paulsworld.co.uk/beckham
Compiled by Heather Leinen
Sources: Kidzworld.com, Hellomagazine.com, Askmen.com, Celebritystorm.com
