Well done, David! UEFA award for Becks

Former Manchester United favourite David Beckham has been announced as the recipient of this year’s UEFA President’s Award, in recognition of his glittering career and contribution to the game.

The honour has been bestowed annually by the top man at UEFA since 1998 and current incumbent Aleksander Ceferin chose Beckham for his achievements on and off the pitch, describing him as “a true football icon of his generation”.

Beckham made 394 appearances during his decade with United, scoring 85 goals and helping the Reds win six Premier League titles and, famously, the 1999 Champions League, a competition in which he was the first Englishman to make 100 appearances.

The former midfielder will be presented with the accolade in Monaco later this year, becoming only the third Englishman to receive it after Sir Bobby Robson (2002) and Sir Bobby Charlton (2008).

“It is an honour for me to receive the UEFA President’s Award,” the 43-year-old said. “During my career I always gave 100 per cent 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.

“Many of the unforgettable moments I had on the pitch came in the UEFA Champions League, such as that magical night in Barcelona in 1999 when we beat Bayern Munich in such dramatic fashion.”

After leaving United in 2003, Beckham spent four years at Real Madrid and also played for LA Galaxy and AC Milan, before finishing his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.

He is one of a select band of players to have been capped over 100 times for England. He made a total of 115 appearances, scoring 17 goals and playing in three World Cups.

Aside from his successes on the pitch, Beckham has also worked selflessly off the field to improve the lives of those living in hardship and poverty. In 2015, he set up ‘7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund’, which is aimed at helping children, by tackling issues such as bullying, violence and child marriage, while also ensuring youngsters have the chance to attend school and have an education.

“My career in football allowed me to actively participate in helping to improve the lives of numerous children across the globe in co-operation with UNICEF and it gives me great pleasure that I am able to give something back to society,” he explained.

“When people believe in you, you believe in yourself. By giving children, especially girls, the support they need, my 7 Fund is helping them realise their potential.”

Ceferin added: “The President's Award recognises outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities.

“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. 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.”

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE UEFA PRESIDENT'S AWARD

1998: Jacques Delors
1999: no award
2000: Guy Roux
2001: Juan Santisteban
2002: Sir Bobby Robson
2003: Paolo Maldini
2004: Ernie Walker
2005: Frank Rijkaard
2006: Wilfried Straub
2007: Alfredo Di Stefano
2008: Sir Bobby Charlton
2009: Eusebio
2010: Raymond Kopa
2011: Gianni Rivera
2012: Franz Beckenbauer
2013: Johan Cruijff
2014: Josef Masopust
2015: no award
2016: no award
2017: Francesco Totti