(FORTUNE Magazine) – Cross Brad Pitt with Pele, and you'll know why England is atwitter over soccer star David Beckham and his ex-Spice Girl wife, Posh. With Becks off to Spain, the pair are spilling ink worldwide. What you need to know before they go. --Alynda Wheat

THE DEAL Manchester United sells the footballer to the Real Madrid soccer team for $42 million. So far, so bad. He's already apologized for stealing his new teammates' thunder.

THE FILM About a girl's love of soccer, Bend It Like Beckham becomes one of the most successful British films ever and quietly earns U.S. fans. Becks does not star.

THE HAIR One of the biggest Beckham controversies is his hair. Boyishly long? Buzzworthy buzz cut? Mohawk?! Whatever he does, Becks sets trends. This jock is quite the fashion-forward lad.

THE COUPLE Their publicity juggernaut keeps Posh, Becks, and sons Romeo and Brooklyn in the tabloids. Brooklyn? Guess we know they had a nice trip.