Few present and former footballers can claim to have a signature phrase coined to extol their on-field wizardry. Generation Z may be forgiven for never having heard “bend it like Beckham” but millennials will be all too familiar with the slogan. Probably even watched the movie. Beckham was undoubtedly one of the best English players ever. He played the game at its highest level and won every accolade there is to win, save for international honors. Watching David Beckham’s goals or his all-round play on the field, you quickly realize he was not your typical winger. He made his name on the right side of Manchester United’s attack, inheriting Eric Cantona’s iconic No. 7 jersey. But blazing speed or dizzying stepovers were never part of his repertoire. Neither was he in the habit of cutting infield to shoot like another Man U No. 7 was known to do. Let’s indulge in some of his most memorable goals as he celebrates his 50th birthday. 1. The Greece Free-Kick The last-ditch free-kick against Greece that booked England’s place in the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea easily springs to mind. The Three Lions’ home-ground advantage did not have the intended effect against the stubborn Greek players. But there was nothing their keeper could do to keep out Beckham’s perfectly placed set-piece. Besides guaranteeing England a place in soccer’s greatest tournament, the fact that it was scored at Old Trafford made that stunning free-kick goal extra special. 2. Derby Rocket Among the David Beckham goals that will be dear to Red Devil fans is the 30-yard rocket he scored in one of the 1996-97 derby games against Manchester City. He picked up a loose ball on the halfway line, sauntered forward unopposed, and unleashed a typically precise shot into the top corner. 3. That Liverpool Free-Kick Another of the David Beckham goals that will be cherished by Man U fans old enough to appreciate it was the free-kick against Liverpool in the 1997-98 season. The goal silenced a hostile Anfield crowd and put Sir Alex Ferguson’s boys in the ascendancy. England international Keeper David James didn’t stand a chance with the ball going in off the underside of the crossbar. 4. FA Cup Tie Curler Against Arsenal Beckham was in the habit of finding the net against Man U’s biggest rivals on big occasions. In the 1998-99 FA Cup semifinals against Arsenal, he received a perfectly weighted backheel pass from Teddy Sheringham 25 yards from the goal. Without controlling the ball or even looking up, he sent a curling shot into the back of the net. His goal broke the deadlock and took Ferguson’s charges one step closer to Wembley. 5. Spurs Not Spared Two seasons earlier, while he was still United’s 10, Beckham scored a similar blockbuster. On that occasion, it was at Old Trafford against Arsenal’s crosstown rivals, the Tottenham Hotspurs. A snoozing Spurs midfielder was caught in possession. Two passes later, the ball was at Beckham’s feet. He took two touches to get into a shooting position 30 yards from goal and the Spurs defenders foolishly allowed him the space. Seconds later, the ball was flying past the helpless goalkeeper. 6. The Cheekiest Of the David Beckham Goals Staying in London, one of Beckham’s cheekiest finishes came against West Ham United in the 2001-02 season. Their Upton Park stadium provided the venue for a moment of magic from the talented winger that will stand the test of time. Paul Scholes intercepted a wayward pass on the halfway line and punted the ball upfield to Beckham. Without breaking his stride, Becks clipped the ball above the stranded keeper (David James again) from the right edge of the 18-yard box. It was an audacious finish even world-class strikers would hesitate to attempt and one of the classic David Beckham goals. 7. Net-Burster Against Real Madrid One of the goals Beckham himself will take great pride in was his opener against Real Madrid in their 1999-2000 Champions League game at Old Trafford. The winger himself will admit that dribbling past defenders was not his strength. But that was the season of the impossible becoming possible. At the end of it, Manchester United had three major trophies, including the “Big Ears,” in their cabinet. Back to the goal. Scholes again found Beckham at the edge of the box. But instead of his customary long-distance curler, Becks deftly stepped past three defenders before lashing the ball past Iker Casillas. It was one of the vintage David Beckham goals. 8. Magical Free-Kick At Camp Nou That magical solo effort against Los Blancos wasn’t Beckham’s only memorable UCL goal. He bent in a sublime free-kick against Real’s perennial rivals, Barcelona, the previous season. That it was scored at the mythical Camp Nou must have made this one of the more precious David Beckham goals. This is one I am sure the 50-year-old legend can’t wait to tell his grandkid when he does get one. 9. Another UCL Free-Kick Three seasons after his incredible solo goal against Real Madrid, he scored against the Spanish giants again at Old Trafford. This time, it was a more typical David Beckham goal. His 25-yard free-kick sailed past a frustrated Casillas, the ball kissing the crossbar before settling inside the net. 10. The Half-Pitch Wonder The pick of the many David Beckham goals surely must be the half-pitch lob against Wimbledon in the 1996-97 season. When he struck the ball, the England winger was still in his half. Nobody would have thought it would land inside the Wimbledon net at that moment. But Beckham had spotted the keeper off his line. If there was a player who had the wherewithal to fly the ball above the keeper and bring it down under the crossbar, it was Beckham. And that’s exactly what he did, to the astonishment of the spectators gathered in Old Trafford. Final Thoughts All of these David Beckham goals sum up what was one of the best careers in football history. As Beckham turns to today, these David Beckham goals will continue to be remembered for generations to come.