Manchester United legend David Beckham scored an audacious 60-yard goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in the Premier League.
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On 17 August 1996, 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder David Beckham grabbed world headlines with a spectacular goal from the halfway line. The moment came in United’s Premier League season opener at Wimbledon FC. By that point, Beckham had been with United for about four and a half seasons as a professional. He had made a total of only 42 league appearances. He had only established himself as a regular starter during the previous season. It was a very successful one, with United winning a league and FA Cup double.
?️ “I couldn’t have known it then, but that moment was the start of it all: the attention, press coverage, fame. When my foot struck that ball, it kicked open the door to the rest of my life.”
⏪ 25 years ago today David Beckham did this for @ManUtd ?pic.twitter.com/ZFdYNfvJJu
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) August 17, 2021
Despite being a talented player, Beckham was not yet considered a superstar of the sport, and had, in fact, not yet even earned his first England cap. His profile took a dramatic upward turn after the match against Wimbledon. With United already leading 0-2, Beckham received the ball inside his own half and took a short dribble toward the halfway line. Right before he reached it, he spotted Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan off his line and ripped an audacious shot toward the goal. As Sullivan scrambled backward to reach it, the ball fell over his head and into the net. Two weeks later, Beckham played his first match for England.
Beckham enjoyed a stellar career at Manchester United, establishing himself as one of the legends to have graced Old Trafford. He enjoyed spells at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. He is one of the graduates of the famous Class of ’92. The England international was a key feature in Sir Alex Ferguson’s line-up. Notably, Beckham was one of the finest set-piece takers of his time.
The goal against Wimbledon made the England international a superstar. The goal is arguably one of the greatest goals of the Premier League era. Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking about the David Beckham goal from the halfway line, had said that the midfielder had tried a similar attempt 10 minutes prior and was contemplating taking him off if he tried that again.
Fellow Class of ’92 graduate Gary Neville also lauded Beckham’s long-range effort. He added that Beckham practised it every day in training. Beckham himself rates the goal against Wimbledon as his favourite strike. He recognizes it as an important moment in his career. The Man United legend further added that Eric Cantona came up to him to congratulate his effort.
United went on to win the league again that season, the second of six league titles Beckham would claim with the club.
