Former England international midfielder David Beckham moved to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and had a memorable stint in the MLS
There aren’t too many England footballers who have had as big an impact on those outside the sport as David Beckham. The former Manchester United midfielder’s influence has been felt far and wide, with his decision to spread his wings and move to Los Angeles proving a factor.
Beckham joined Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in 2007 after a spell with Real Madrid. During a five-year MLS spell, he rubbed shoulders with some huge names from Hollywood as well as sporting legends from the ‘big four’ sports Stateside.
One of those sports stars was Wayne Gretzky, an iconic figure in ice hockey and a Los Angeles Kings legend. The Canadian had never been hugely into his football – the European kind, that is – but that didn’t stop Beckham from making a big impact when the pair met.
Getting the opportunity to watch Beckham play was only part of it, though. Gretzy also fondly remembers the gesture the Galaxy star made for his young son.
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“When I was in LA, David Beckham came to LA,” Gretzky told TNT Sports. “I did not know a lot about soccer and I said ‘I have got to see this guy play.’ He was so incredible, it was so much fun to watch him play.
“And more importantly, my son, at the time he was eight, we went down to the locker room and he took my son around and got every player in the team to sign his jersey. So I have got a great deal of respect for athletes who are really nice and perform well under pressure also.”
Beckham played more than 100 times for LA Galaxy, winning MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012. Since retiring he has taken ownership of his own expansion team, Inter Miami, who won the same trophy for the first time in 2025.
In the years since meeting the England star, Gretzky’s attachment to football has grown. He was involved in the draw for World Cup 2026 where his home country, Canada, will co-host with Mexico and the United States.
Jesse Marsch’s Canadian side have been drawn in a group with Qatar, Switzerland and the winner of the European play-off involving Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Wales. England, for whom Beckham starred at multiple World Cups during his own playing days, will go up against Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
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