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His caressed crosses and pinpoint free kicks will live long in the memory - but old Goldenballs wasn't averse to a red card, either.
Who can forget the casually-raised leg, somehow felling Argentina's Diego Simeone in 1998, leading to his vilification and eventual redemption before fans?
He's been sent off another eight times, including another dismissal for England against Austria, and a recent one for his last club, Paris St Germain.
Here's a reminder:
David Beckham's career in red cards
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Paris Saint Germain's David Beckham, center, reacts as he leaves the field after the referee showed him a red card during their French League One soccer match against Evian, in Annecy, French Alps, Sunday, April 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) (credit:AP)
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Referee Olivier Thual, right, shows a red card to Paris Saint Germain's David Beckham, center, during their French League One soccer match against Evian, in Annecy, French Alps, Sunday, April 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) (credit:AP)
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English midfielder David Beckham (R) and Argentina(09 of36)
SAINT-+TIENNE, FRANCE: English midfielder David Beckham (R) and Argentinan captain Diego Simeone (L) react after foul play by Beckham during the 1998 Soccer World Cup second round match between Argentina and England, 30 June at Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. Beckham was sent off the pitch after getting a red card by Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read GERARD CERLES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRA: World Cup 1998 - Argentina v England(10 of36)
ST. ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 30: David Beckham of England fouls Diego Simeone of Argentina during the World Cup eight final match between Argentina and England on June 30, 1998 in St. Etienne, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham(11 of36)
30 Jun 1998: David Beckham of England is sent off by referee Kim Nielsen after lashing out at Diego Simeone of Argentina #8 during the World Cup second round match at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in St Etienne, France. England lost 4-3 on penalties as the ended 2-2 after extra-time \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2002 - England v Argentina - Japan(12 of36)
England's David Beckham (L) is given the red card by Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, after a foul on Argentina's Diego Simeone during their France '98 World Cup second round match held in St Etienne. argentina won the match 4-3 on penalties (2-2 after extra time). (credit:PA)
Beckham Red Card(13 of36)
This picture can only be used within the context of an editorial feature. Manchester United's David Beckham is sent off by referee Horacio Elizondo after kicking Necaxa's Jose Milian during their World Club Championship match at the Maracana Stadium. * Rio de Janeiro. (credit:PA)
Real Madrid v Murcia(14 of36)
MURCIA, SPAIN - MAY 16: David Beckham of Real Madrid is sent off by the referee during the La Liga match between Murcia and Real Madrid at the La Condomina Stadilum May 16, 2004 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by FiroFoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Madrid Briton David Beckham retires duri(15 of36)
MURCIA, SPAIN: Madrid Briton David Beckham retires during a Premier league match between Murcia and Real Madrid in Murcia 16 May 2004. AFP PHOTO JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Murcia(16 of36)
MURCIA, SPAIN - MAY 16: David Beckham of Real Madrid leaves the field after being sent off during the La Liga match between Murcia and Real Madrid at the La Condomina Stadilum May 16, 2004 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by FiroFoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Murcia(17 of36)
MURCIA, SPAIN - MAY 16: David Beckham of Real Madrid is sent off by the referee during the La Liga match between Murcia and Real Madrid at the La Condomina Stadilum May 16, 2004 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by FiroFoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England's Steven Gerrard (C) pushes Davi(18 of36)
Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM: England's Steven Gerrard (C) pushes David Beckham (L) as he walks away from the referee Luis Medina Cantalejo (R) as he pulls out a red card during the game against Austria during the FIFA World Cup Group 6 qualification football match at Old Trafford in Manchester 08 October 2005. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
World Cup Qualifier: England v Austria(19 of36)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 08: David Beckham of England leaves the field at half time during the World Cup 2006 Group 6 qualifying match between England and Austria at Old Trafford on October 8, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Captain David Beckham reacts to(20 of36)
Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM: England Captain David Beckham reacts to being sent off by referee Luis Medina Cantalejo during the FIFA World Cup Group 6 qualifying football match against Austria at Old Trafford, Manchester, 08 October 2005. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Austria(21 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 8: David Beckham of England shakes hands with Andreas Ibertsberger of Austria after being sent off during the World Cup qualifying match between England and Austria at Old Trafford on October 8 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
World Cup Qualifier: England v Austria(22 of36)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 08: David Beckham of England walks to the tunnel as he is sent off during the World Cup 2006 Group 6 qualifying match between England and Austria at Old Trafford on October 8, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Austria(23 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 8: David Beckham of England is sent off during the World Cup qualifying match between England and Austria at Old Trafford on October 8 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Getafe(24 of36)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 3: David Beckham of Real Madrid is sent off during the Primera Liga match between Real Madrid and Getafe on December 3 2005 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Getafe(25 of36)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 3: Referee Fernando Teixeira (R) asks David Beckham of Real Madrid to leave the field after getting a red card during the Primera Liga match between Real Madrid and Getafe on December 3 2005 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid's British midfielder David B(26 of36)
Madrid, SPAIN: Real Madrid's British midfielder David Beckham (2ndR) argues with referee after being expelled from the pitch during the Spanish League football match against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, 03 December 2005. Real Madrid won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ Pedro ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid's British midfielder David B(27 of36)
Madrid, SPAIN: Real Madrid's British midfielder David Beckham leaves the field after being expelled during the Spanish League football match against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, 03 December 2005. Real Madrid won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ Pedro ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid's British midfielder David B(28 of36)
Madrid, SPAIN: Real Madrid's British midfielder David Beckham discusses with the getafe's coach Bern Schuster after being expelled during the Spanish League football match against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, 03 December 2005. Real Madrid won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ Bru GARCIA (Photo credit should read BRU GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid's British midfielder David B(29 of36)
Madrid, SPAIN: Real Madrid's British midfielder David Beckham leaves the field after being expelled during the Spanish League football match against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, 03 December 2005. Real Madrid won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ Pedro ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona(30 of36)
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22: David Beckhan of Real Madrid gets a red card from referee Alfonso Perez Burrull during the Primera Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium October 22, 2006 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Referee Cesar Muniz (C) arges with Real(31 of36)
Madrid, SPAIN: Referee Cesar Muniz (C) arges with Real Madrid's David Beckham (L) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (R) after he shows a red card to Beckham during their Spanish league football match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, 17 February 2007. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. AFP PHOTO/JAVIER SORIANO ... (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Seattle Sounders FC v Los Angeles Galaxy(32 of36)
CARSON, CA - AUGUST 15: David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy is sent off with a red card for a foul on Peter Vagenas #8 of the Seattle Sounders FC at The Home Depot Center on August 15, 2009 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Seattle Sounders FC v Los Angeles Galaxy(33 of36)
CARSON, CA - AUGUST 15: David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy receives a straight red card for serious foul play against Peter Vagenas #8 of the Seattle Sounders FC during the first half of their MLS match at The Home Depot Center on August 15, 2009 in Carson, California. (Photo by German Alegria/MLS via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Seattle Sounders FC v Los Angeles Galaxy(34 of36)
CARSON, CA - AUGUST 15: David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy leaves the pitch after receiving a red card during for a serious foul against Peter Vagenas #8 of the Seattle Sounders FC during the first half of their MLS match at The Home Depot Center on August 15, 2009 in Carson, California. (Photo by German Alegria/MLS via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Seattle Sounders FC v Los Angeles Galaxy(35 of36)
CARSON, CA - AUGUST 15: David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy is greeted by teammate Todd Dunivant #2 after being sent off with a red card for a foul on Peter Vagenas #8 of the Seattle Sounders FC at The Home Depot Center on August 15, 2009 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Seattle Sounders FC v Los Angeles Galaxy(36 of36)
CARSON, CA - AUGUST 15: Jovan Kirovski #9 of the Los Angeles Galaxy reacts as referee Ricardo Salazar holds up the red card to David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy after a studs up tackle by Beckham on Peter Vagenas #8 of Seattle Sounders FC in the first half during the MLS match at The Home Depot Center on August 15, 2009 in Carson, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)