David Beckham reveals he is named after football legend Bobby Charlton

David Beckham has revealed he was given the middle name Robert in honour of England and Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton, who celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday. Charlton, one of the most revered players in English football history, won the World Cup on home soil in 1966 and the European Cup with United two years later.

David Beckham with Bobby Charlton. Pic/Getty Images

David Robert Joseph Beckham, who also enjoyed a celebrated career with United and England, spoke to Manchester United's in-house TV station about his recollections of Charlton. "I was lucky enough to meet him when I went to the Bobby Charlton Soccer School at the age of 10 when I first came here, and I won it when I was 11," Beckham told MUTV.

"It was a dream to meet him because he was my dad's favourite player and my middle name Robert is after Sir Bobby. "He would always try to help the young players. When you play for a club and you have ex-players that come and talk to you that are involved with the team, it means a lot."