GOAL reminisces about the former England captain's incredible rise from Old Trafford to global superstar

The world knows the name David Beckham. You don't need to know a single thing about sports to be familiar with him. There's a movie named after him, for goodness sake. He's a player that transcends the label of athlete.

But, make no mistake, Beckham is more than just a celebrity. He's a superstar off the field, of course, but he was equally as incredible on it. For both club and country, Beckham was iconic, creating moments and memories while playing for many of the world's biggest clubs.

From his beginnings in England to his time as a Galactico in Spain, to his efforts in changing the American game, Beckham defined a generation. He continues to do so, too, remaining one of the game's most iconic stars.

But before he was all of those things mentioned above, he was a young kid from London who never could have imagined how far his ability to strike a ball would take him. To coincide with the release of his Future Stars Icon card onEA Sports FC24 on PlayStation 5,GOALtakes a look back at Beckham's journey and how he went from Future Star to ICON…

GettyWhere it all began

Despite being born and raised in London, it's almost like Beckham was put on this planet to play for Manchester United. His family was made up of massive Man Utd supporters, traveling all the way to Old Trafford often to attend the team's home matches.

Oddly enough, though, Beckham's youth career began at Tottenham, where he spent four years before inevitably joining his boyhood club Man Utd on his 14th birthday. Once there, he joined a group of young stars that included the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, forming the famous Class of '92.

Beckham's first-team debut came during that 1992 season, as he featured in the League Cup against Brighton. He made sporadic appearances over the next two years, with his biggest moment coming in December 1994, when he scored in his Champions League debut to help lead Man Utd to a 4-0 win over Galatasaray.

The young midfielder, though, wasn't ready. He was loaned to Preston North End during the 1994-95 season to gain first-team experience. When he returned to United ahead of the 1995 season, Beckham was a whole new player, one ready to take on the world.

AdvertisementGettyThe big break

Alongside the Class of '92 players mentioned above, Beckham helped spearhead a generational shift at Manchester United. Originally playing as a right-sided midfielder, Beckham quickly established himself as a player to watch at Old Trafford, winning a Premier League title in that first season.

Ahead of the 1996 campaign, he was handed the No.10 shirt, and he responded by scoring a legendary goal from beyond the halfway line against Wimbledon in the first match of that Premier League season. He would go on to be voted PFA Young Player of the Year, having captured the hearts of the English public.

From there, Beckham never really looked back. He won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League title during his time at Old Trafford. His exploits with England were legendary, too. His famous free kick to send the Three Lions to the 2002 World Cup made him a national hero, solidifying his place among the country's most famous athletes.

In 2003, though, Beckham took his talents to Spain, helping establish himself as a global icon, not just an English one.

Getty ImagesBecoming an ICON

By the time Beckham arrived in Spain, he was already one of the world's most famous figures. But his time at Real Madrid took his profile to a whole different level.

On the field, there wasn't a wild amount of success, with Real Madrid only winning the title in his fourth and final season at the club. Off the field, though, Beckham was a main attraction of the Galactico era, selling more shirts than anyone can count while becoming arguably the biggest celebrity the sport had ever seen.

Not content to live the superstar life in Europe, though, Beckham made the bold move to come to the U.S. in 2007, changing the trajectory of Major League Soccer forever. His decision to sign with the LA Galaxy introduced the Designated Player rule, otherwise known as the Beckham rule, and, in the years, since it's been used to sign everyone from Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba to a more modern example: Lionel Messi.

Beckham's Inter Miami, of course, was the team to sign Messi, further showing the pull that the former England star still has. Few players have blended on and off-field success quite like Beckham, who continues to redefine and innovate the game all these years later.

GettyBiggest strengths

When you think of Beckham, the first thing you think of is his ability to hit a set piece. They named the movie "Bend It Like Beckham" for a reason, you know.

Blessed with an incredible right foot, Beckham's ability to strike the ball was legendary, whether those strikes were at goal or toward teammates. Beckham could really do it all. He could pass, cross and shoot with pinpoint accuracy, making him a key weapon for whichever team he was playing for.

Beckham wasn't a one-trick pony, though. His work rate was perhaps a bit underrated, as he did contribute defensively when needed. His versatility was an asset, too, with Beckham able to play on the right, as a No.8, No.10 or No.6, particularly in his later years.

Overall, Beckham was a highly intelligent player, one who knew how to play within a team despite his massive reputation off the field. But his ability to manipulate the ball to his will was always his standout attribute, and it's the one he's remembered most for to this day.