On August 17, 1996, Manchester United began their 1996–97 Premier League title defense against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. With United cruising 2-0 thanks to goals from Eric Cantona and Denis Irwin, the 90th minute produced a moment of unadulterated sporting genius that altered the trajectory of modern football celebrity.
Receiving a square pass from Brian McClair just inside his own half, 21-year-old midfielder David Beckham looked up and spotted Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan lingering off his goal line. Without hesitation, Beckham struck a magnificent, floating right-footed drive from 57 yards that sailed through the sunny South London sky and nestled into the roof of the net.
Sullivan backpedaled desperately but could only watch in awe as the ball floated gracefully over his outstretched gloves. Beckham wheeled away toward the away supporters with arms outstretched and a wide grin, an image that appeared on front and back pages worldwide the next morning.
The goal instantly transformed David Beckham from a promising young talent into an international household name and was later voted the Premier League Goal of the Decade.