Sir David Beckham has followed in the same footsteps as Manchester United legends Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby in receiving a knighthood.
It was revealed back in June that David Beckham had been awarded a knighthood in King Charles’ Birthday Honours after his prolific playing career and work in charity.
The 50-year-old England and Manchester United legend was finally knighted by King Charles during a ceremony that was held in Berkshire on Tuesday.
Beckham attended the event alongside Victoria Beckham, who is now Lady Beckham, and his mother, Sandra, and father, David, at Windsor Castle.
The former England captain had been linked with receiving a knighthood for some time before the King finally bestowed the honour on Beckham on Tuesday.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” he said, as per BBC Sport.
“People know how patriotic I am – I love my country.”
Sir David Beckham’s knighthood narrative would have been different if one Man Utd event had played out
Sir David Beckham’s knighthood didn’t come without a few eyebrows over why the former Manchester United superstar had received the honour in the first place.
The former Real Madrid and AC Milan winger transcended the sport with his meteoric rise at Old Trafford under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
But Beckham did not lift major silverware with England like United icon Sir Bobby Charlton, who famously captured the 1966 World Cup with the Three Lions.
The majority of the major silverware that United’s Class of ’92 breakout star lifted in his career came during his illustrious spell under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
However, Beckham’s United career could have made the knighthood feel even more warranted two decades ago had it not been for his Ballon d’Or snub in 1999.
Sir David Beckham fell short of the 1999 Ballon d’Or award and the knighthood could have come sooner
Beckham was a key figure for Ferguson’s United’s famed treble winners in the 1998-99 season, including picking up two assists in the Champions League final.
The ex-LA Galaxy star was in red-hot form during the Red Devils’ treble-winning pursuit, with Beckham picking up 20 assists in 56 matches across all competitions.
Beckham also netted nine times for the Red Devils en route to United capturing the Premier League title, a Champions League trophy and the FA Cup under Ferguson.
Despite his crucial role in United’s 2-1 Champions League final win against Bayern Munich in 1999, Beckham finished second in the race for the 1999 Ballon d’Or prize.
Brazil legend Rivaldo came out on top with 219 points, with former England international Beckham ranking second with 154 points in the final shortlist.
There are still United fans to this date who feel that Beckham was ‘robbed’ of France Football’s sought-after prize to Rivaldo, who had a stunning impact at Barcelona.
Ferguson received a knighthood in the aftermath of United’s treble win and the narrative could have been different if Beckham had lifted the Ballon d’Or award.
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