David Beckham through the years

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

Updated 1409 GMT (2209 HKT) May 16, 2013

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

David Beckham is a man of many talents. Not only is he one of the most famous names in sports, but he's also one heck of a model. Tommy Hilfiger has now recognized the 38-year-old former soccer player <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2014/03/10/tommy-hilfiger-david-beckham-underwear-model-of-the-century/" target="_blank">as the No. 1 underwear model of the century</a>. It's just one of several career highs for Beckham, seen here modeling Emporio Armani underwear in a 2009-2010 ad campaign.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – David Beckham is a man of many talents. Not only is he one of the most famous names in sports, but he's also one heck of a model. Tommy Hilfiger has now recognized the 38-year-old former soccer player as the No. 1 underwear model of the century. It's just one of several career highs for Beckham, seen here modeling Emporio Armani underwear in a 2009-2010 ad campaign.

Hide Caption

1 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham makes his England debut at a World Cup qualifying match against Moldova in 1996.

Hide Caption

2 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham celebrates his goal against Colombia in the 1998 World Cup.

Hide Caption

3 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – As a player on Manchester United, Beckham cools down during the FA Charity Shield match against Arsenal in 1998.

Hide Caption

4 of 23

At the 1998 World Cup, in a second-round match against Argentina, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. England lost the match on penalties and was eliminated, with Beckham becoming a hate figure for some fans.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – At the 1998 World Cup, in a second-round match against Argentina, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. England lost the match on penalties and was eliminated, with Beckham becoming a hate figure for some fans.

Hide Caption

5 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham poses after a news conference in Awaji-shima Island, Japan, in 2002.

Hide Caption

6 of 23

Beckham poses with Beyonce, left, and Jennifer Lopez in Madrid during a presentation of the new Pepsi "Samourai" in 2004.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham poses with Beyonce, left, and Jennifer Lopez in Madrid during a presentation of the new Pepsi "Samourai" in 2004.

Hide Caption

7 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

A name brand – Beckham acts as England's captain during the 2004 European Championships in Portugal.

Hide Caption

8 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham waves after a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in 2007.

Hide Caption

9 of 23

The midfielder celebrates with his sons in 2007 after Real Madrid won the Spanish League title by beating Mallorca.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – The midfielder celebrates with his sons in 2007 after Real Madrid won the Spanish League title by beating Mallorca.

Hide Caption

10 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham makes an appearance to promote his fragrance "David Beckham Intimately Night" in Sydney in 2007.

Hide Caption

11 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham reveals his new No. 32 jersey after his loan move to AC Milan in 2008.

Hide Caption

12 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham controls the ball during a 2010 World Cup qualifier.

Hide Caption

13 of 23

Beckham, during his time with the Los Angeles Galaxy, walks toward the line judge to have a chat during Game 1 of the MLS Western Conference semifinals in 2009.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham, during his time with the Los Angeles Galaxy, walks toward the line judge to have a chat during Game 1 of the MLS Western Conference semifinals in 2009.

Hide Caption

14 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham arrives at Sydney International Airport in 2010.

Hide Caption

15 of 23

David and his wife, Victoria, arrive at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – David and his wife, Victoria, arrive at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.

Hide Caption

16 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – The Beckhams attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California, in 2012.

Hide Caption

17 of 23

Beckham celebrated his second MLS Cup in December 2012 when he decided to leave with a year left on his contract and seek one final challenge in Europe.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham celebrated his second MLS Cup in December 2012 when he decided to leave with a year left on his contract and seek one final challenge in Europe.

Hide Caption

18 of 23

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham passes under London's Tower Bridge in a speedboat carrying the Olympic Torch in 2012.

Hide Caption

19 of 23

Beckham poses with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, and PSG sports director Leonardo during a news conference announcing his new gig in January 2013.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham poses with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, and PSG sports director Leonardo during a news conference announcing his new gig in January 2013.

Hide Caption

20 of 23

Beckham waves after PSG played Brest in<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/18/sport/football/football-psg-beckham-farewell-game/index.html?hpt=hp_t2" target="_blank"> his final home match</a> in May. Beckham had <a href="http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/31/beckham-to-join-paris-saint-germain-club-says/">signed on with the team</a> just a few months prior to his <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/16/sport/football/david-beckham-retires-football/index.html?hpt=hp_t2">retirement.</a>

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham waves after PSG played Brest in his final home match in May. Beckham had signed on with the team just a few months prior to his retirement.

Hide Caption

21 of 23

Beckham and his daughter, Harper, make their way through a crowd in New York in February. Harper, Beckham's fourth child, was born in 2011.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Beckham and his daughter, Harper, make their way through a crowd in New York in February. Harper, Beckham's fourth child, was born in 2011.

Hide Caption

22 of 23

Since retiring from soccer, Beckham has tried his hand at acting. It was announced in March that <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26613554" target="_blank">he will appear in a special edition of the UK classic sitcom, "Only Fools and Horses,</a>" to raise money for a good cause.

Photos: David Beckham through the years

David Beckham through the years – Since retiring from soccer, Beckham has tried his hand at acting. It was announced in March that he will appear in a special edition of the UK classic sitcom, "Only Fools and Horses," to raise money for a good cause.

Hide Caption

23 of 23