Sir David Beckham! Football icon finally receives knighthood after ex-Man Utd star included on King's Birthday Honours list

Beckham, OBE since 2003, was named on the King's Birthday Honours list, recognised for services to football and charity. Former England Women player Rachel Daly was awarded an MBE for services to football., while the extensive list also included MBEs for darts stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, as well as rugby league's first-ever knighthood, awarded to 90-year-old Billy Boston.

Beckham played 394 games for Manchester United between 1992 and 2003, before also turning out for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain at a time when high-profile English players abroad were less common. He represented England on 115 occasions, a Three Lions record for an outfield player at the time of his retirement, and set up his own club, Inter Miami, in 2018. He has represented the very best of British football at a global level for the best part of 30 years and has worked as a UNICEF ambassador since 2005.

"Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour," said Beckham.

"It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment."

Beckham was first nominated for a knighthood in 2011, two years before he'd actually hung up his boots. In 2017, leaked emails published by several newspapers purported to show the former England captain criticising the honours system and committee. They were denounced as "doctored" by his camp. The ex-midfielder joins the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish on the list of football figures to have been knighted.

Beckham's attention over the next few weeks will be firmly fixed on Inter Miami at the Club World Cup. Major League Soccer's 2024 Supporters' Shield winners are the designated 'host' team and will kick off the tournament on Saturday night (local time) against Egypt's Al Ahly. In the words of veteran striker Luis Suarez, "expectations are very high".