David Beckham's bid for knighthood in jeopardy over former Man Utd and England star's financial affairs

According to British writer Tom Bower, who authored a book on the football legend named The House of Beckham, the ex-United player tried to legally minimise his UK taxes while he was playing for Real Madrid in Spain.

The former England captain was recently unveiled as an ambassador to the King's Foundation and according to the Mirror, the move could boost his changes of getting knighted. However, as per Bower's book, his past tax affairs could seriously jeopardise his chances of obtaining the prestigious honour.

In his book, the author wrote, "Legally avoiding British taxes appealed to Beckham. As a non-dom in Spain, he was not paying British taxes on income earned outside Britain. And he was not paying National Insurance. The genius of it was that no one in Britain realised that Beckham had become a tax exile. Instead, the public believed that he was a global success who paid his taxes in Britain.

"Partly that was due to sightings of him in London. Legally, he could visit Britain 90 days a year and after five years the annual limit would increase to 120 days."

While European football is on a break due to the ongoing Euro 2024, MLS action continues in the US. Beckham's Inter Miami will be next seen in action on Sunday against Philadelphia Union.