United Kingdom
Manchester United and England legend David Beckham will receive the 2018 UEFA President’s Award, in recognition of his remarkable career and humanitarian efforts, the sport’s European governing body said on Tuesday.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin hailed Beckham as the “a true football icon of his generation” after selecting the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder to receive the award in Monaco later this year.
“The President’s Award recognises outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities,” Ceferin said in a statement.
“I have chosen David Beckham as the recipient of this year’s award because he has been a global ambassador for football, promoting the game and all its values in every corner of the planet.
ALSO READ: Mo Salah, Ronaldo & Modric on UEFA player of the year shortlist“His tireless humanitarian efforts, which have helped the lives of many children around the world, should also be celebrated. Beckham is a true football icon of his generation.”
Beckham’s illustrious career
Beckham made 762 appearances for club and country, scoring 130 goals in a career spanning over 20 years.
He won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League with his boyhood club United, before claiming the Spanish La Liga title with Real.
A stint at Los Angeles Galaxy along with two short loan spells at AC Milan followed, before he finished his career with Paris St Germain in 2013.
‘It’s an honour’
Beckham will become only the third Englishman to receive the award after Bobby Robson (2002) and Bobby Charlton (2008).
It is an honour for me to receive the UEFA President’s Award,” Beckham said.
“During my career I always gave 100% and tried to uphold the values of teamwork and fair play and I am proud to join the illustrious list of players who have previously won this award.”
Beckham made 115 appearances for England, scoring 17 goals, and featured in three World Cups.
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
REUTERS
00:54
Football: Haller ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League
00:53
Six arrested in connection with the murder of South African player Luke Fleurs
Go to video
Cameroon: Sports ministry signs new coach, controversy endures
01:37
South Africa: Footballer and olympian Luke Fleurs killed in car hijacking
02:02
Cameroon: Football fans react to the controversy over appointment of new coach
Go to video
Cameroon soccer federation “astonished” to learn sports ministry has hired national team coach