Few footballers have made as profound an impression beyond the pitch as David Beckham. The former England midfielder's reach has extended across the globe, with his bold move to Los Angeles playing a pivotal role in his global influence.

Beckham signed for Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy in 2007 following his stint at Real Madrid. Throughout his five-year American adventure, he mingled with Hollywood's elite alongside sporting icons from the nation's 'big four' professional leagues. Among those sporting figures was Wayne Gretzky, a legendary ice hockey player and Los Angeles Kings icon.

The Canadian had never been particularly passionate about football, yet that didn't prevent Beckham from leaving a lasting impression when their paths crossed.

Witnessing the midfielder in action was merely one aspect of the experience. Gretzky also recalls with warmth the thoughtful gesture the Galaxy star extended towards his young son.

"When I was in LA, David Beckham came to LA," Gretzky told 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."

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Beckham made over 100 appearances for LA Galaxy, clinching the MLS Cup in both 2011 and 2012.

Following his retirement from playing, he took the helm at expansion side Inter Miami, who lifted the same silverware for the very first time in 2025.

In the years following his encounter with the England legend, Gretzky's passion for football has flourished considerably.

He featured prominently in the draw for this summer's World Cup, a tournament that his native Canada will co-host alongside Mexico and the United States.

Canada have been placed in a group alongside Qatar, Switzerland and the winner of the European play-off featuring Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales.

Meanwhile, England, for whom Beckham was a talismanic figure across several World Cup campaigns, face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in their group.

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