David Beckham holds unwanted England record that may never be broken

David Beckham may be one of England’s most successful footballers – but he holds an unwanted record that could stand for many more years. The 49-year-old is the only Englishman to have ever won league titles in four different countries. Beckham is one of England’s most iconic and loved playersBongarts - Getty Beckham scooped six Premier League titles with Manchester United, before helping Spanish giants Real Madrid achieve LaLiga glory in 2007. After moving to America, he won two Supporters Shields with La Galaxy along with as many MLS Cups. And he ended his career in France at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was part of their squad that won Ligue 1 in 2013. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won as many league titles in four different countries, further showing the lasting legacy Beckham has left in football. Beckham didn’t just shine in club football, but on the international stage too, where he remains England‘s third-most capped player with 115 appearances. ‘Golden Balls’ spent 13 years in the Three Lions dressing room after making his debut in 1996, before calling it quits in 2009. At the time, he retired from England duty as the country’s most capped outfield player, which was subsequently broken by Wayne Rooney [120]. A captain in 59 England matches, no player has featured in more World Cups than Beckham’s three [tied with Michael Owen and Sol Campbell, 1998, 2002, 2006]. While no player has made more outings for England than Beckham’s 55 outside of the English league system following his spells abroad, which also included playing for AC Milan in Italy. However, one of Beckham’s England records may never be broken, with the ex-midfielder scooping 19 yellow cards – the highest number from a Three Lions star. Beckham was cautioned 19 times during his 13-year England international careerAFP The United icon was no stranger to finding himself in the referee’s notebookGetty Nine of his cautions came under the tutelage of Sven-Goran Eriksson. He was also sent off after being shown two yellow cards against Austria in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. No player in Lee Carlsey’s current Nations League England squad is close to equalling Beckham’s tally of 19 yellows. Kyle Walker is the closest to Beckham’s haul, with the Manchester City right-back cautioned on 11 occasions. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice follows with six, with skipper Harry Kane boasting five to his name. In previous squads, injured United centre-back Harry Maguire is level with Walker on 11. Beckham was directly involved in 59 goals for England Ajax star Jordan Henderson has scooped ten, with City defender John Stones, ruled out of the latest squad with injury, following with seven. Retired England international Paul Ince had been the previous holder with 15 yellow cards before Beckham. Beckham’s former England teammate Steven Gerrard had threatened to become the new holder, but he ended his international career with 13 cautions. Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole boasted 12 to his name, with Rooney and Paul Scholes each picking up 11 yellow cards. Beckham also boasts the joint-most red cards for England along with Rooney. There have been just 20 red cards dished out to England players, with Beckham receiving two of those. Beckham is currently England’s third-most capped player behind Peter Shilton and Rooney In addition with being shown his marching orders against Austria, he was also infamously brandished a straight red card in the 1998 World Cup last-16 clash with Argentina. His petulant kick-out on Diego Simeone led to Beckham being brandished as public enemy No.1 in the eyes of England fans. Beckham’s wife Victoria has recalled the abuse her husband received made her want to ‘kill’ those that dished it out. But the Madrid icon managed to get himself back in the good books of fans by sending England to the 2002 World Cup finals with a dramatic free-kick against Greece.

Nov 14, 2024 - 10:47
 1923
David Beckham holds unwanted England record that may never be broken

David Beckham may be one of England’s most successful footballers – but he holds an unwanted record that could stand for many more years.

The 49-year-old is the only Englishman to have ever won league titles in four different countries.

Beckham is one of England’s most iconic and loved players
Bongarts - Getty

Beckham scooped six Premier League titles with Manchester United, before helping Spanish giants Real Madrid achieve LaLiga glory in 2007.

After moving to America, he won two Supporters Shields with La Galaxy along with as many MLS Cups.

And he ended his career in France at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was part of their squad that won Ligue 1 in 2013.

Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won as many league titles in four different countries, further showing the lasting legacy Beckham has left in football.

Beckham didn’t just shine in club football, but on the international stage too, where he remains England‘s third-most capped player with 115 appearances.

‘Golden Balls’ spent 13 years in the Three Lions dressing room after making his debut in 1996, before calling it quits in 2009.

At the time, he retired from England duty as the country’s most capped outfield player, which was subsequently broken by Wayne Rooney [120].

A captain in 59 England matches, no player has featured in more World Cups than Beckham’s three [tied with Michael Owen and Sol Campbell, 1998, 2002, 2006].

While no player has made more outings for England than Beckham’s 55 outside of the English league system following his spells abroad, which also included playing for AC Milan in Italy.

However, one of Beckham’s England records may never be broken, with the ex-midfielder scooping 19 yellow cards – the highest number from a Three Lions star.

Beckham was cautioned 19 times during his 13-year England international career
AFP
The United icon was no stranger to finding himself in the referee’s notebook
Getty

Nine of his cautions came under the tutelage of Sven-Goran Eriksson.

He was also sent off after being shown two yellow cards against Austria in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

No player in Lee Carlsey’s current Nations League England squad is close to equalling Beckham’s tally of 19 yellows.

Kyle Walker is the closest to Beckham’s haul, with the Manchester City right-back cautioned on 11 occasions.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice follows with six, with skipper Harry Kane boasting five to his name.

In previous squads, injured United centre-back Harry Maguire is level with Walker on 11.

Beckham was directly involved in 59 goals for England

Ajax star Jordan Henderson has scooped ten, with City defender John Stones, ruled out of the latest squad with injury, following with seven.

Retired England international Paul Ince had been the previous holder with 15 yellow cards before Beckham.

Beckham’s former England teammate Steven Gerrard had threatened to become the new holder, but he ended his international career with 13 cautions.

Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole boasted 12 to his name, with Rooney and Paul Scholes each picking up 11 yellow cards.

Beckham also boasts the joint-most red cards for England along with Rooney.

There have been just 20 red cards dished out to England players, with Beckham receiving two of those.

Beckham is currently England’s third-most capped player behind Peter Shilton and Rooney

In addition with being shown his marching orders against Austria, he was also infamously brandished a straight red card in the 1998 World Cup last-16 clash with Argentina.

His petulant kick-out on Diego Simeone led to Beckham being brandished as public enemy No.1 in the eyes of England fans.

Beckham’s wife Victoria has recalled the abuse her husband received made her want to ‘kill’ those that dished it out.

But the Madrid icon managed to get himself back in the good books of fans by sending England to the 2002 World Cup finals with a dramatic free-kick against Greece.