David Beckham scored some wonderful goals during his career. Here are five of the best.
Halfway line to headlines -- vs. Wimbledon, August 1996
There had been plenty of advanced notices, but the moment that announced Beckham to the world at large came in Manchester United's season opener at Selhurst Park. Dons keeper Neil Sullivan jumped in vain, arms by his side, after Beckham, from his own half, and right of the centre circle, faded the ball into an empty net. A 21-year-old Beckham, with long hair flopping, celebrated with arms wide and a gob of spittle -- these days, TV cuts that bit out. Stardom was his with one stroke of a blessed right foot.
A forgotten classic -- vs. Arsenal, April 1999
For all his love of the limelight, Beckham had a habit of scoring less well-remembered goals, but that changed in United's march to the treble. His whipped finish equalised in that season's title decider with Tottenham. Weeks before that, in an FA Cup semifinal replay, he scored a classic at Villa Park. Teddy Sheringham's reverse pass set the ball up, and, hitting across the ball, Beckham bent his shot beyond David Seaman's desperate dive. Later, much later, in extra time, came Ryan Giggs' legendary solo run.
Arise, Sir David -- vs. Greece, October 2001
Sven-Goran Eriksson simply adored David Beckham and his skipper was the inspiration behind the rescue of England's World Cup 2002 qualification campaign. This, in the dying moments at Old Trafford, was the moment Beckham annexed national hero status. Faltering England needed a draw but were 2-1 down until Beckham's free-kick, which was perfection borne of his having missed several previous sighters. Greece keeper Antonios Nikopolidis barely moved a muscle; England were going to Japan.
Redemption song -- vs. Argentina, June 2002
Beckham was English football's comeback kid. His dismissal at the 1998 World Cup in France for an angry kick at Diego Simeone made him a national pariah. By 2002, he carried the hopes of a nation but in truth, was hampered by a metatarsal shattered by Deportivo La Coruna's Aldo Duscher in April. Still, Sapporo provided a slice of vindication after Michael Owen had been fouled. The spot-kick was struck just inches to Pablo Cavallero's left, but with a power generated by Beckham's sense of vengeance.
Daddy's special night -- vs. Real Madrid, April 2003
Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson were not getting on. Madrid was always the most likely next destination. As United sought to overturn a 3-1 first-leg Champions League deficit, Beckham was benched in favour of Juan Sebastian Veron. When he eventually came on, United were all but out after a Ronaldo hat trick, but Beckham inspired a 4-3 win, scoring twice, his first coming from one of his patented looping free kicks. As he later related in his autobiography, he went home to tell sons Brooklyn and Romeo of "Daddy's special night" after his future teammates had congratulated him on his performance.