Celebrity superstar and footballing royalty David Beckham turns 50 today.

The former Manchester United star is expected to celebrate with friends and family in London on Friday with a visit to luxury Michelin star restaurant Core. Hollywood actor Tom Cruise and Beckham's Class of '92 team-mates will also be in attendance.

Starting from humble beginnings in east London, Beckham's footballing talent was recognised at a young age. He began his professional career with the Red Devils, who his parents supported despite residing in London.

A young Beckham earned huge fame in the British Isles, winning six Premier League titles with United, along with a Champions League trophy in 1999.

Beckham made his debut for England in 1996 at the age of 21, and went on to earn 115 caps for the Three Lions, with 17 goals too. Despite being one of the most revered players in England's history, he was public enemy number one in the 1998 World Cup. England were tied at 2-2 with Argentina when Diego Simeone provoked the young star to kick back, resulting in a red card.

This left England with 10 men against the Argentinian's, who would go on to lose on penalties. The backlash was nuclear from fans and the media, being portrayed as the pantomime villain by British tabloid newspapers, something which he spoke about in his Netflix show.