David Beckham at Real Madrid: The story of how Goldenballs became a Galactico

David Beckham of Real Madrid celebrates after the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Real Madrid and Olympic Marseille at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on September 16, 2003 in Madrid, Spain.
(Image credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Beneath the floodlights on a stormy night at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s No.7 draws a breath, 30 yards from goal. The scoreboard reads: Manchester United 4 Real Madrid 3. Still trailing on aggregate, United need this free-kick to go in, plus one more goal in stoppage time, if they’re to reach the semi-finals of the 2002/03 Champions League. 

He’s already put two goals past Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas, including, in his own words, “the best free-kick of my Manchester United career”. A hat-trick would make his 60th-minute introduction seem even more misguided. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Ed McCambridge
Staff Writer

Ed is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, he’s been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngster’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegan’s playing career.