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<\/p>\nFormer England international midfielder David Beckham moved to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and had a memorable stint in the MLS<\/p>\n
Wayne Gretzky met fellow sporting legend David Beckham in Los Angeles(Image: Kevin Winter\/Getty Images for AEG)<\/p>\n
There aren’t too many England<\/a> footballers who have had as big an impact on those outside the sport as David Beckham.<\/a> The former Manchester United<\/a> midfielder’s influence has been felt far and wide, with his decision to spread his wings and move to Los Angeles proving a factor.<\/p>\n Beckham joined Major League Soccer<\/a> side LA Galaxy<\/a> in 2007 after a spell with Real Madrid<\/a>. During a five-year MLS spell, he rubbed shoulders with some huge names from Hollywood as well as sporting legends from the ‘big four’ sports Stateside.<\/p>\n One of those sports stars was Wayne Gretzky<\/a>, an iconic figure in ice hockey and a Los Angeles Kings<\/a> legend. The Canadian had never been hugely into his football – the European kind, that is – but that didn’t stop Beckham from making a big impact when the pair met.<\/p>\n Getting the opportunity to watch Beckham play was only part of it, though. Gretzy also fondly remembers the gesture the Galaxy star made for his young son.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE: David Beckham rushes to aid of fallen skier as he shows true colours at luxury resort<\/a>READ MORE: ‘I was David Beckham’s personal trainer \u2013\u00a0I swear by these five diet rules’<\/a><\/p>\n “When I was in LA, David Beckham<\/a> came to LA,” Gretzky told TNT Sports<\/a>. “I did not know a lot about soccer and I said \u2018I have got to see this guy play.\u2019 He was so incredible, it was so much fun to watch him play.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n David Beckham playing for Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012(Image: Ric Tapia\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Beckham played more than 100 times for LA Galaxy, winning MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012. Since retiring he has taken ownership of his own expansion team, Inter Miami, who won the same trophy for the first time in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the years since meeting the England star, Gretzky’s attachment to football has grown. He was involved in the draw for World Cup 2026 where his home country, Canada, will co-host with Mexico and the United States.<\/p>\n Jesse Marsch’s Canadian side have been drawn in a group with Qatar<\/a>, Switzerland and the winner of the European play-off involving Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Wales. England, for whom Beckham starred at multiple World Cups during his own playing days, will go up against Croatia, Ghana and Panama.<\/p>\n JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> <\/strong>Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror<\/a> Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-149446310.jpg\")
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