Sports Nicknames - Golden Balls, Spice Boy

David Beckham is one of the most famous footballers of the 1990s and 2000s. He not only became a great player, but also a British icon thanks to his cool looks and general influence on culture. He's picked up a number of nicknames over time, some of which are quite amusing.



Beckham started his career at Manchester United, coming through in the famed "Class of '92" that included the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Despite winning the Premier League in 196, it wasn't until next season that he was established as the first choice right midfielder. It was here where he inherited the famous number 7 shirt (and subsequently got the nickname DB7) and became a set-piece specialist. He left for Real Madrid in 2003.

While he won 1 La Liga title in Spain, he really didn't have a successful time there. So he moved to America, winning 2 MLS Cups with LA Galaxy. He then returned to Europe for a final season with Paris Saint-Germain, winning Ligue 1.

Sir Alex Ferguson said Beckham's career was never going to be the same after he married Victoria Adams, who was deeply into the music and fashion scene. Victoria Beckham also gave him one of the more curious nicknames: Golden Balls. It was supposedly given after he turned his reputation around after getting sent off in the 1998 World Cup.

Beckham was also called "Spice Boy" because of his relationship with the famous member of the Spice Girls and his expressive fashion style.

Becks (another nickname) ended his career with 10 league titles across 4 different countries. He's in the English Football Hall of Fame and Pele named him as one of the 100 greatest living footballers. Clearly he's made his mark and is still involved in the game, partially owning MLS side Inter Miami CF.

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