David Beckham showed his true colours with classy gesture for sporting legend
David Beckham rubbed shoulders with plenty of sporting superstars during his time in Los Angeles
David Beckham playing for Los Angeles Galaxy(Image: Toby Canham, Getty Images)
Few England footballers have made as significant an impact beyond the pitch as David Beckham. The former Manchester United midfielder’s reach has extended far and wide, with his bold move to Los Angeles playing a key role.
Beckham signed for Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy in 2007 following a stint with Real Madrid. Throughout a five-year spell in MLS, he mingled with major Hollywood names as well as sporting icons from America’s ‘big four’ sports, while still making time to win trophies before retiring.
Among those sporting figures was Wayne Gretzky, a legendary name in ice hockey who starred for the Los Angeles Kings, among other teams. The Canadian had never been a big fan of football – the European variety, at least – but gained a newfound fondness when he and Beckham crossed paths.
The chance to see the former Manchester United star in action was only one aspect of it, though. Gretzky also has warm memories of the thoughtful gesture Beckham made towards his young son.
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“When I was in LA, David Beckham came to LA,” Gretzky recalled when speaking to 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 turned out more than 100 times for LA Galaxy and ended his career as a winner of MLS Cup in 2012. Since hanging up his boots he has assumed ownership of his own expansion franchise, Inter Miami, who claimed the same trophy for the first time in 2025.
In the years following his encounter with the England icon, Gretzky’s passion for football has intensified. He participated in the draw for World Cup 2026, where his native country, Canada, will share hosting duties with Mexico and the United States.
Canada, managed by Jesse Marsch, have been placed in a group alongside Qatar, Switzerland and whoever wins the European play-off comprising Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales. England, for whom Beckham excelled at numerous World Cups throughout his playing career, will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
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