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| honorific_prefix  = <big>{{wp|Sir|'''Sir'''}}</big>
| honorific_prefix  = <big>{{wp|Sir|'''Sir'''}}</big>
| name              = William Smith
| name              = William Smith
| honorific_suffix  = {{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Williamite Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}
| honorific_suffix  = {{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Victorian Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}
| image              = WSX.png
| image              = SWS.jpg
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| native_name        =
| native_name_lang  =
| pronunciation      =  
| pronunciation      =  
| birth_name        = William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith
| birth_name        = William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith
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| monuments          =  
| monuments          =  
| nationality        = {{hlist|{{wp|British}}|{{wp|American}}|{{wp|Spanish}}}}
| nationality        = {{hlist|{{wp|British}}|{{wp|American}}|{{wp|Spanish}}}}
| other_names        =
 
| siglum            =
| alma_mater        = {{wp|UCLA|University of California, Los Angeles}} ({{wp|BSS}})<br/>{{wp|University of Manchester}} ({{wp|MSS}})
| citizenship        =
| occupation        = {{hlist|Footballer|Manager}}
| education          =
| height            = 5 ft 11 in
| alma_mater        = {{wp|UCLA|University of California, Los Angeles}} ({{wp|BSS}})<br/>{{wp|City, University of London}} ({{wp|MSS}})
| occupation        = {{hlist|Footballer|Manager|Actor}}
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| criminal_charges  = <!-- Criminality parameters should be supported with citations from reliable sources -->
| criminal_penalty  =
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| spouse            = {{marriage|{{wp|Anne Hathaway}}|12 November 2012}}
| spouse            = {{marriage|{{wp|Anne Hathaway}}|12 November 2012}}
| partner            = {{wp|Cameron Diaz}} (2003 - 2004)<br/>{{wp|Gisele Bündchen}} (2004 - 2007)
| partner            = {{wp|Cameron Diaz}} (2003 - 2004)<br/>{{wp|Gisele Bündchen}} (2004 - 2007)
| children          = {{hlist|William|Anne}}
| children          = {{hlist|William|Anne|Michelle|John|}}
| parents            = <!-- overrides mother and father parameters -->
| parents            = <!-- overrides mother and father parameters -->
| mother            = {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}
| mother            = {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}
| father            = [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King Thomas]]
| father            = [[Thomas, King of the British|King Thomas]]
| relatives          = {{hlist|{{wp|Claudia Schiffer}}|{{wp|Jodie Foster}}}} (aunt-in-laws)<br/>[[Charles Rodman]] (cousin)
| relatives          = {{hlist|{{wp|Steffi Graf}}|{{wp|Jodie Foster}}}} (aunt-in-laws)<br/>{{wp|Georgia May Jagger}} (cousin)<br/>{{wp|Henry Cavill}} (brother-in-law)
| family            =
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   {{Infobox football biography | embed=yes
   {{Infobox football biography | embed=yes
|name          =
|image          =
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|caption        =
|fullname      =
|birth_date    =
|birth_place    =
|death_date    =
|death_place    =
|height        = 1.80m
|height        = 1.80m
|position      = {{wp|forward (association football)|Forward}}
|position      = {{wp|forward (association football)|Forward}}
|youthyears1    = 1992 - 1997
|youthyears1    = 1992 - 1997
|youthclubs1    = {{wp|IMG Academy}}
|youthclubs1    = {{wp|IMG Academy}}
|collegeyears1  =
|college1      =
|collegecaps1  =
|collegegoals1  =
|years1        = 1997 - 2003
|years1        = 1997 - 2003
|clubs1        = {{wp|LA Galaxy}}
|clubs1        = {{wp|LA Galaxy}}
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|clubs2        = {{wp|Manchester United}}
|clubs2        = {{wp|Manchester United}}
|caps2          = 192
|caps2          = 192
|goals2        = 217
|goals2        = 225
|years3        = 2010 - 2016
|years3        = 2010 - 2019
|clubs3        = {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}
|clubs3        = {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}
|caps3          = 208
|caps3          = 302
|goals3        = 241
|goals3        = 328
|totalcaps      = 590
|totalcaps      = 684
|totalgoals    = 690
|totalgoals    = 785
|nationalyears1 = 1999 - 2000
|nationalyears1 = 1999 - 2000
|nationalteam1  = {{wp|United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States U20}}
|nationalteam1  = {{wp|United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States U20}}
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|nationalteam2  = {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States}}
|nationalteam2  = {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States}}
|nationalcaps2  = 64
|nationalcaps2  = 64
|nationalgoals2 = 109
|nationalgoals2 = 68
|nationalyears3 = 2004 - 2014
|nationalyears3 = 2004 - 2014
|nationalteam3  = {{wp|England national football team|England}}
|nationalteam3  = {{wp|England national football team|England}}
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|nationalcaps4  = 6
|nationalcaps4  = 6
|nationalgoals4 = 9
|nationalgoals4 = 9
|manageryears1 = 2019 -2023
|manageryears1 = 2019 - 2023
|managerclubs1 = {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}
|managerclubs1 = {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's {{wp|Association football|football}}}}
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's {{wp|Association football|football}}}}
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{{Medal|W|{{wp|UEFA Euro 2012|2012 Poland–Ukraine}}|}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|UEFA Euro 2012|2012 Poland–Ukraine}}|}}
{{Medal|Comp|{{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|{{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}}}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001 South Korea & Japan}}|}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001 South Korea-Japan}}|}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003 France}}|}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003 France}}|}}
{{Medal|RU|{{wp|2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009 South Africa}}|}}
{{Medal|3rd|{{wp|2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Brazil}}|}}
{{Medal|Comp|{{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|{{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup}}}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2000 United States}}|}}
{{Medal|W|{{wp|2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2000 United States}}|}}
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}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Sir William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith''' <small>{{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Williamite Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}</small> (born 11 May 1979) is an {{wp|American}}-{{wp|English}} actor, former professional football manager and former player. Known for his explosive pace, exceptional playmaking abilities, strong link-up play, and formidable goalscoring prowess, Smith is generally regarded to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. Nicknamed "The General" for his leadership qualities and commanding presence on the pitch, with a total of 70 senior titles to his name, Smith is the most decorated player in football history and is also one of the few players to have made over 1,000 professional career appearances as well as the only player to have scored over 1,000 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the highest goalscorer of all time. In 2004, Smith was named by {{wp|Pelé}} in the {{wp|FIFA 100}} list of the world's greatest living footballers, becoming the only male {{wp|American}} player on the list. Most notably, prior to the discontinuation of the {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}} and the subsequent introduction of the {{wp|UEFA Nations League}}, Smith is the only {{wp|European}} footballer in history representing a top football club to have won all the available titles on both club and international levels including the {{wp|Premier League}}/{{wp|La Liga}}, {{wp|FA Cup}}/{{wp|Copa del Rey}}, {{wp|EFL Cup}}, {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}}/{{wp|Supercopa de España}}, {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, {{wp|UEFA Europa League}}, {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, {{wp|FIFA World Cup}}, {{wp|UEFA European Championship}}, and the {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}}. Moreover, he is also the only player to have achieved a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} with two different clubs, namely with {{wp|Manchester United}} and {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}. With a net worth of $2.09 billion, Smith is considered to be the richest footballer, active or retired, with his wealth being derived from a series of highly lucrative sponsorships as well as the high wages and bonuses he received during his playing years.
'''Sir William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith''' <small>{{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Victorian Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}</small> (born 11 May 1979) is an {{wp|American}}-{{wp|English}} former football manager and player. Known for his explosive pace, exceptional playmaking abilities, strong link-up play, and formidable goalscoring prowess, Smith is generally regarded to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. Nicknamed "The General" for his leadership qualities and commanding presence on the pitch, with a total of 84 senior titles to his name, Smith is the most decorated player in football history and is also one of the few players to have made over 1,000 professional career appearances as well as the only player to have scored over 1,000 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the highest goalscorer of all time. In 2004, Smith was named by {{wp|Pelé}} in the {{wp|FIFA 100}} list of the world's greatest living footballers, becoming the only male {{wp|American}} player on the list. Prior to the discontinuation of the {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}} and the subsequent introduction of the {{wp|UEFA Nations League}}, Smith, along with former teammate {{wp|Wayne Rooney}}, are the only two footballers to have won all the available titles at both club and international levels including the {{wp|Premier League}}, {{wp|FA Cup}}, {{wp|EFL Cup}}, {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}}, {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, {{wp|UEFA Europa League}}, {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, {{wp|FIFA World Cup}}, {{wp|UEFA European Championship}}, and the {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}}. Moreover, he is also the only player to have achieved a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} with two different clubs, namely with {{wp|Manchester United}} and {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}. With a net worth of $2.09 billion, Smith is considered to be the richest footballer, active or retired, with his wealth mostly derived from a series of highly lucrative sponsorships as well as the high wages and bonuses he received during his playing years. Along with seven other players, Smith is one of the few to have won the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}}, the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, and the {{wp|Ballon d'Or}} alongside compatriots {{wp|Bobby Charlton}} and {{wp|Harry Kane}}.  
 
The only son of actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} and [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King Thomas]], Smith joined {{wp|IMG Academy}} at the age of thirteen. After a five-year period, at the age of eighteen, he was selected by {{wp|Major League Soccer}} side {{wp|LA Galaxy}} with whom he went on to become one of its most talented and successful players, winning three straight {{wp|U.S. Open Cup}} titles in a row, the {{wp|MLS Cup}} twice in 2002 and 2003 respectively as well as the {{wp|CONCACAF Champions Cup}} once in 2000. By the end of his time with {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith had racked up a total of 232 goals in 190 appearances, making him the leading all-time goalscorer both in {{wp|Major League Soccer}} and for {{wp|LA Galaxy}}. In 2005, he was named in the {{wp|MLS All-Time Best XI}} alongside the likes of {{wp|Landon Donovan}} and {{wp|Carlos Valderrama}}.
 
In 2003, for a world-record fee of £68 million that was also then a {{wp|British}} record and currently an unbroken {{wp|Major League Soccer}} record, Smith joined {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Manchester United}} on a six-year contract. With the club, he went on to achieve unprecedented success, winning the {{wp|Premier League}} five seasons in a row, the {{wp|FA Cup}}, {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, and {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} thrice, the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} four times, and the {{wp|EFL Cup}} a total of five times during which he also helped {{wp|Manchester United}} to a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} in the 2008-09 season in a first for a {{wp|European}} and {{wp|English}} club. With a total of 217 goals in 192 appearances, Smith is the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Manchester United}} and the third-highest goalscorer in the {{wp|Premier League}} behind {{wp|Harry Kane}} and {{wp|Alan Shearer}} along with having the sixth-most assists in the league with 98 assists behind {{wp|Frank Lampard}}. On the other hand, Smith previously held the record for the most goals scored in a {{wp|Premier League}} season with 39 goals which was later broken by {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}'s [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Richard]] who scored a record 45 goals in the {{wp|2022–23 Premier League|2022–23 season}} and was formerly the second-highest all-time goalscorer before being surpassed by {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s {{wp|Harry Kane}}. In 2021, along with {{wp|Alan Shearer}} and {{wp|Thierry Henry}}, Smith was among the first three players to be inducted into the {{wp|Premier League Hall of Fame}}.
 
In 2010, following a hugely successful period with {{wp|Manchester United}}, Smith joined {{wp|La Liga}} side {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} for a then world-record transfer fee of £82.5 million, becoming one of the few players to have broken the world record twice. With the club, he went on to win the {{wp|La Liga}} thrice in a row, the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} twice, the {{wp|Supercopa de España}} four times in a row, the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} and the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} five seasons in a row, the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} six times in a row, and the {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} once during which he helped the club to a first {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} for a {{wp|Spanish}} side in his final season, making him the only player to achieve such a feat with two different clubs after having previously done so with {{wp|Manchester United}}. Considered to be the most successful and talented forward in the {{wp|Atlético Madrid|club}}'s history, along with {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith is considered an instrumental figure in the club's revival amidst an extended period of {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} dominance in the {{wp|La Liga}} to become a major force or a "third power" against the two clubs during which they bested both clubs on several occasions in both domestic and {{wp|European}} football. With 241 goals scored in 208 appearances, Smith is the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} as well as {{wp|La Liga}}'s fourth-highest all-time top scorer while also holding the record for the fifth-most assists in the league with a total of 85 assists. Among fans and supporters, Smith is famously nicknamed '''"''San Guillermo''"''' ("Saint William") in honour of his role alongside {{wp|Diego Simeone}} in reviving the club's fortunes after a period of mediocrity and underachievement. The current home ground for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, {{wp|Metropolitano Stadium|Estadio de los Santos}}, was named in honour of Smith and {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}}. Since October 2020, Smith has served as the club's life president.


On the international level, Smith began his career via a brief stint with the {{wp|United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States under-20 national team}}, with whom he won the {{wp|1999 FIFA World Youth Championship}} in which he scored the lone winning goal in the finals against {{wp|Japan}}. The following year, Smith was then promoted to and also captained the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|senior team}} in which he won several competitions including the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2000}} and {{wp|2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2002}} {{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup|CONCACAF Gold Cups}}, the {{wp|2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001}} and {{wp|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003}} {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup|FIFA Confederations Cups}}, and most notably the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} in which Smith famously scored a hat-trick in the finals to deliver the {{wp|United States}}' first and only {{wp|World Cup}} title via a memorable 5-0 win over {{wp|Brazil}}. In 2003, Smith departed the {{wp|United States}}, and in the following year, joined the {{wp|England national football team|England national team}}, which he led to an equally historic victory at the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup}}, where a 5-2 win over {{wp|Italy}} in the finals secured {{wp|England}} their second {{wp|World Cup}} title in forty years since their first title back in {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup|1966}}. Following this, Smith went on to achieve further back-to-back success with {{wp|England national football team|England}}, winning their first-ever {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} title in {{wp|UEFA Euro 2008|2008}} by defeating {{wp|Germany}} 4-2 in the finals, as well as a second consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} title in {{wp|2010 FIFA World Cup|2010}} via a 5-0 win over the {{wp|Netherlands}}, followed by a second consecutive {{wp|UEFA European Championship|European Championship}} win in {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012|2012}} in which Smith contributed a hat-trick to deliver a 4-2 victory over {{wp|Spain}} in the finals. In 2014, Smith went on to deliver a record-breaking third consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} title for {{wp|England}} via a 4-2 win on penalties against {{wp|Argentina}} while also personally becoming the first-ever player to win four {{wp|World Cups}}, beating the previous record held by {{wp|Pelé}} with three {{wp|World Cup}} titles. In addition to his international stints with the {{wp|United States}} and {{wp|England}}, Smith also briefly captained the {{wp|Great Britain men's Olympic football team|Great Britain national football team}} at the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}, which he successfully led to a 2-0 win over {{wp|Mexico}} in the finals, thereby earning a gold medal in the process.
The only son of actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} and [[Thomas, King of the British|King Thomas]], Smith joined {{wp|IMG Academy}} at the age of thirteen. After a five-year period, at the age of eighteen, he was selected by {{wp|Major League Soccer}} side {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, with whom he went on to become one of its most talented and successful players, winning three straight {{wp|U.S. Open Cup}} titles in a row, the {{wp|MLS Cup}} twice in 2002 and 2003 respectively, as well as the {{wp|CONCACAF Champions Cup}} twice in 1997 and 2000. By the end of his time with {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith had racked up a total of 289 goals in 221 appearances, making him the leading all-time goalscorer both in {{wp|Major League Soccer}} and for {{wp|LA Galaxy}}. In 2005, he was named in the {{wp|MLS All-Time Best XI}} alongside the likes of {{wp|Landon Donovan}} and {{wp|Carlos Valderrama}}.


With 124 total appearances, Smith is the sixth-most-capped {{wp|England}} player while otherwise its leading goalscorer with 160 goals. Similarly, although not necessarily the {{wp|United States}}' most capped player with only 64 appearances, Smith is nonetheless the country's all-time goalscorer with 109 goals. Among others, Smith is also the first and only player to win a {{wp|World Cup}} title with two different countries, the first and only one to win four {{wp|World Cups}}, the first captain to win more than one {{wp|World Cup}} title and two {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} tournaments in a row. Moreover, Smith is just the second player after {{wp|Geoff Hurst}} to have scored a hat-trick in a {{wp|World Cup}} final and also just the second after {{wp|Luis Monti}} to have played in a {{wp|World Cup}} final with two different countries. Meanwhile, Smith is the record holder for the most goals scored in both the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} and the {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} with forty and thirty-six goals respectively, as well as for the most matches played at the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} with a total of twenty-eight matches played from 2002 to 2014. With a total of 269 goals scored on the international level, Smith is the world's all-time leader for international goals and otherwise formerly the all-time leader for international appearances with 194 appearances until surpassed by {{wp|Portugal}}'s {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}, with Smith currently the fourth-most-capped male footballer behind {{wp|Malaysia}}'s {{wp|Soh Chin Ann}}. Together with former {{wp|England}} compatriots {{wp|Wayne Rooney}}, {{wp|Frank Lampard}}, and {{wp|Steven Gerrard}}, Smith is one-fourth of the famous [[Ferocious Four|"Ferocious Four"]], the four core members of the {{wp|England national football team|England national team}} that won three straight {{wp|World Cups}} and two consecutive {{wp|UEFA European Championships}} from 2006 to 2014.
In 2003, for a world-record fee of £68 million that was also then a {{wp|British}} record and currently an unbroken {{wp|Major League Soccer}} record, Smith joined {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Manchester United}} on a six-year contract. With the club, he went on to achieve unprecedented success, winning the {{wp|Premier League}} five seasons in a row, the {{wp|FA Cup}}, {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, and {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} thrice, the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} four times, and the {{wp|EFL Cup}} a total of five times. In this, he notably helped {{wp|Manchester United}} to a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} in the 2008-09 season in a first for a {{wp|European}} and {{wp|English}} club during which he became the only player in {{wp|Premier League}} history to score seven goals in a record 10-0 win over {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}}. With a total of 468 goals in 343 appearances across all competitions, Smith is the leading all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Manchester United}} and the second-highest goalscorer in the {{wp|Premier League}} behind {{wp|Alan Shearer}} along with having the sixth-most assists in the league with 98 assists behind {{wp|Frank Lampard}}. On the other hand, Smith previously held the record for the most goals scored in a {{wp|Premier League}} season with 41 goals which was later broken by {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}'s [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Richard]]. In 2021, along with {{wp|Alan Shearer}} and {{wp|Thierry Henry}}, Smith was among the first three players to be inducted into the {{wp|Premier League Hall of Fame}}. Then, in 2010, following a hugely successful period with {{wp|Manchester United}}, Smith joined {{wp|La Liga}} side {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} for a then world-record transfer fee of £82.5 million, becoming one of the few players to have broken the world record twice. With the club, he went on to win the {{wp|La Liga}} six times in a row, the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} four times, the {{wp|Supercopa de España}} seven times in a row, the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, and the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} eight times in a row, and the {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} once during which he helped the club to three separate {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuples}}. Considered to be the most successful and most talented forward in the {{wp|Atlético Madrid|club}}'s history, along with {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith is considered an instrumental figure in the club's revival amidst an extended period of {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} dominance in the {{wp|La Liga}} to become a major force or a "third power" against the two clubs during which they bested both clubs on several occasions in both domestic and {{wp|European}} football. With 596 goals scored in 481 appearances across all competitions, Smith is the leading all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} as well as {{wp|La Liga}}'s second-highest all-time top scorer behind {{wp|Lionel Messi}} and ahead of {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}. Among fans and supporters, Smith is famously nicknamed '''"''San Guillermo''"''' ("Saint William") in honour of his role alongside former manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}} in kickstarting a period of long-term dominance after a period of mediocrity and underachievement. Since October 2020, Smith has served as the club's life president, having been awarded the honour by club president {{wp|Enrique Cerezo}}.


Around November 2019, in his first and only managerial stint, Smith was appointed head coach of {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, succeeding {{wp|Mauricio Pochettino}} after an initial poor start to the 2019-20 season. Initially appointed on an interim basis, Smith subsequently won the club's first {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in his debut season while also achieving a second-place finish in the league, thereby leading him to become the club's full-time manager over the next three seasons where in addition to a {{wp|FA Cup}} and an {{wp|EFL Cup}} title he won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} two more times with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} as well as the {{wp|Premier League}} for two consecutive seasons, becoming the first and only {{wp|English}} manager to ever win the {{wp|Premier League}} since its inception, the first and only one to do so consecutively, as well as one of five {{wp|English}} managers to have won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}. Considered to be the most successful {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager of the modern era and popularly nicknamed "The Underdog King" by fans and supporters, Smith is well-known for his strict brand of professionalism and sportsmanship, tactical ingenuity, direct and fluid attacking play, as well as his preference for "mind games" through chants and songs. A self-professed "coach of the underdogs", Smith has received a number of honours and awards as head coach including {{wp|LMA Manager of the Year}}, {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Coach}}, {{wp|Onze d'Or Coach of the Year}}, and {{wp|IFFHS World's Best Club Coach}}. At 42 years old, Smith is the joint-youngest manager with {{wp|José Mourinho}} to have won the {{wp|Premier League}} and is also tied with {{wp|José Mourinho}} for the youngest manager to have won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} at 41 years old.  
On the international level, Smith began his career via a brief stint with the {{wp|United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States under-20 national team}}, with whom he won the {{wp|1999 FIFA World Youth Championship}} in which he scored the lone winning goal in the finals against {{wp|Japan}}. The following year, Smith was then promoted to and also captained the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|senior team}}, famously known as the [['02 Dream Team]], in which he won several competitions including the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2000}} and {{wp|2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2002}} {{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup|CONCACAF Gold Cups}}, the {{wp|2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001}} and {{wp|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003}} {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup|FIFA Confederations Cups}}, and most notably the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} in which Smith famously scored a hat-trick in the finals to deliver the {{wp|United States}}' first and only {{wp|World Cup}} title via a memorable 5-0 win over {{wp|Brazil}}. In 2003, Smith departed the {{wp|United States}}, and in the following year, joined the {{wp|England national football team|England national team}} which he led to an equally historic victory at the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup}} where a 5-2 win over {{wp|Italy}} in the finals secured {{wp|England}} their first {{wp|World Cup}} title in forty years since their first title back in {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup|1966}}. Following this, Smith went on to achieve further back-to-back success with {{wp|England national football team|England}}, winning their first-ever {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} title in {{wp|UEFA Euro 2008|2008}} by defeating {{wp|Germany}} 4-2 in the finals, as well as a second consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} title in {{wp|2010 FIFA World Cup|2010}} via a 5-0 win over the {{wp|Netherlands}}, followed by a second consecutive {{wp|UEFA European Championship|European Championship}} win in {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012|2012}} in which Smith contributed a hat-trick to deliver a 4-2 victory over {{wp|Spain}} in the finals. In {{wp|2014 FIFA World Cup|2014}}, Smith went on to deliver a record-breaking third consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} title for {{wp|England}} via a 4-2 win on penalties against {{wp|Argentina}} while also personally becoming the first-ever player to win four {{wp|FIFA World Cup|World Cups}}, beating the previous record held by {{wp|Pelé}} with three {{wp|World Cup}} titles. In addition to his international stints with the {{wp|United States}} and {{wp|England}}, Smith also briefly captained the {{wp|Great Britain men's Olympic football team|Great Britain national football team}} at the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}} which he successfully led to a 2-0 win over {{wp|Mexico}} in the finals.


Throughout his nearly two-decade-long career, Smith came to be the record holder for a number of feats including the record for the most goals scored in a season of both the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} and the {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} with 22 and 20 goals respectively, the highest number of {{wp|Ballon d'Or}} awards won with ten in total (during which he became the first and only {{wp|American}} player to win the award), and the single highest number of wins for several other awards including {{wp|FIFA World Player of the Year}} (4), {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Player}} (4), {{wp|Premier League Golden Boot}} (5), {{wp|European Golden Shoe}} (8), and the {{wp|MLS Golden Boot}} (7). Moreover, Smith is the only footballer so far to have received a {{wp|Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year}} award with a record of three awards won to date. Most notably, in 2019, he was awarded the {{wp|Ultra Ballon d'Or}} for his "extremely significant and incomparable contribution to football in the 21st-century".
Having made a total of 124 appearances, Smith is the sixth-most-capped {{wp|England}} player while otherwise its leading goalscorer with 160 goals. Similarly, although not necessarily the {{wp|United States}}' most capped player, having made only 64 appearances in total, Smith is the country's all-time goalscorer with 68 goals. Among others, Smith is also the first and only player to win a {{wp|World Cup}} title with two different countries as well as the first and only one of two to win four {{wp|FIFA World Cup|World Cups}}. Moreover, Smith is just the second player after {{wp|Geoff Hurst}} to have scored a hat-trick in a {{wp|World Cup}} final and also just the second after {{wp|Luis Monti}} to have played in a {{wp|World Cup}} final with two different countries. Meanwhile, Smith is the record holder for the most goals scored in both the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} and the {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} with forty and thirty-six goals respectively, as well as for the most matches played at the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} with a total of twenty-eight matches played from 2002 to 2014. With a total of 228 goals scored on the international level, Smith is the world's all-time leader for international goals and was formerly the all-time leader for international appearances with 188 appearances until surpassed by {{wp|Portugal}}'s {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}. Together with compatriots {{wp|Wayne Rooney}}, {{wp|Frank Lampard}}, and {{wp|Steven Gerrard}}, Smith is one-fourth of the famous [[Ferocious Four|"Ferocious Four"]], the four core members of the {{wp|England national football team|England national team}} that won three straight {{wp|FIFA World Cup|World Cups}} and two consecutive {{wp|UEFA European Championships}} from 2006 to 2014 that was popularly known as the [[Invincible Lions|"Invincible Lions"]].


Since retiring from professional football, Smith has served as president of {{wp|The Football Association}} as well as an honorary advisor to the {{wp|Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport}}. As one of the most well-known and marketable football icons of his generation, Smith has embarked on a string of product endorsements since his retirement with the most notable instance being {{wp|Adidas}}' {{wp|King Smith}} sneakers that were introduced in 2015 to massive commercial success and are often considered as a direct rival to {{wp|Nike}}'s {{wp|Air Jordans}}. In addition, he has also appeared in shows including the {{wp|Apple TV+}} sports comedy series ''{{wp|Ted Lasso}}'' and {{wp|Netflix}} documentary ''{{wp|The June 30th Miracle: Ten Years On}}'' while actor {{wp|Jude Law}} portrays him in ''{{wp|The Final Tournament}}''. Moreover, he was also featured in {{wp|Amazon Prime Video}}'s ''{{wp|All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur}}'' and its subsequent follow-up ''{{wp|The Spursy Fantasy}}''. Meanwhile, as an actor, Smith has appeared in several critically acclaimed films including ''{{wp|Operation Finale}}'', ''{{wp|Ocean's 8}}'', {{wp|Dark Waters (2019 film)|''Dark Waters''}}, and ''{{wp|Knives Out}}''.
Around November 2019, Smith was appointed head coach of {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, succeeding {{wp|Mauricio Pochettino}} after an initial poor start to the 2019-20 season. Initially appointed on an interim basis, Smith subsequently won the club's first {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in his debut season while also achieving a second-place finish in the league, thereby leading him to become the club's full-time manager over the next three seasons where in addition to a {{wp|FA Cup}} and an {{wp|EFL Cup}} title he also won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} once again with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} as well as the {{wp|Premier League}} for two consecutive seasons, becoming the first and only {{wp|English}} and {{wp|American}} manager to ever win the {{wp|Premier League}} since its inception, the first and only one to do so consecutively, as well as one of five {{wp|English}} and the only {{wp|American}} manager to have won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}. Considered to be the most successful {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager of the modern era and popularly nicknamed "The Underdog King" by fans and supporters, Smith is well-known for his strict brand of professionalism and sportsmanship, tactical ingenuity, direct and fluid attacking play, as well as his preference for "mind games" through chants and songs. A self-professed "coach of the underdogs", Smith has received a number of honours and awards as head coach including {{wp|LMA Manager of the Year}}, {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Coach}}, {{wp|Onze d'Or Coach of the Year}}, and {{wp|IFFHS World's Best Club Coach}}. At 42 years old, Smith is the joint-youngest manager with {{wp|José Mourinho}} to have won the {{wp|Premier League}} and is also tied with {{wp|José Mourinho}} for the youngest manager to have won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} at 41 years old.  


Since 2012, Smith has been married to {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}, with whom he has two children. Often likened by the media to {{wp|English}} poet {{wp|William Shakespeare}} and {{wp|Anne Hathaway (wife of Shakespeare)|Anne Hathaway}}, the couple are popularly known together as "Will and Anne".
Since retiring from professional football, Smith has served as president of {{wp|The Football Association}} as well as an honorary advisor to the {{wp|Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport}}. As one of the most well-known and marketable football icons of his generation, Smith has embarked on a string of product endorsements since his retirement with the most notable instance being {{wp|Adidas}}' {{wp|King Smith}} sneakers that were introduced in 2015 to massive commercial success and are often considered as a direct rival to {{wp|Nike}}'s {{wp|Air Jordans}}. In addition, he has also appeared in shows including the {{wp|Apple TV+}} sports comedy series ''{{wp|Ted Lasso}}'' and the {{wp|Netflix}} documentary ''{{wp|The June 30th Miracle: Ten Years On}}''. Moreover, he was also featured in {{wp|Amazon Prime Video}}'s ''{{wp|All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur}}'' and its subsequent follow-up ''{{wp|The Spursy Fantasy}}''. Meanwhile, since 2012, Smith has been married to {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}, with whom he has four children. Often likened by the media to {{wp|English}} poet {{wp|William Shakespeare}} and {{wp|Anne Hathaway (wife of Shakespeare)|Anne Hathaway}}, the couple are popularly known together as "Will and Anne" and have starred together in several films including {{wp|Valentine's Day (2010 film)|''Valentine's Day''}}, ''{{wp|Ocean's 8}}'', and {{wp|Dark Waters (2019 film)|''Dark Waters''}}. He is the older brother of journalist and politician [[Jacqueline Smith]], the current leader of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}}, and professional footballer [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Prince Richard]] who captains the {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}.


==Early Life==
==Early Life==
[[File:Jac2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, best known for her role in the 1970s television series ''{{wp|Charlie's Angels}}''. She is Smith's biological mother through her nearly two-decades-long relationship with the future [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King Thomas]]]]
[[File:Jac2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, best known for her role in the 1970s television series ''{{wp|Charlie's Angels}}''. She is Smith's biological mother through her nearly two-decades-long relationship with the future [[Thomas, King of the British|King Thomas]]]]
Born William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith on 11 May 1979, Smith was the oldest of two children of actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} and the heir to the {{wp|British}} throne [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Prince Thomas]]. Having been born out of wedlock and from a largely secretive romantic affair between his parents, Smith, unlike his later half-siblings, was never officially made a prince, and therefore, despite being the firstborn son and a biological descendant of a member of the {{wp|British royal family}}, was never included in the {{wp|British}} line of succession to the throne. Reportedly named William after his paternal great-grandfather {{wp|William Bacall}}, Smith, who officially took his {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s surname, was given three middle names in which two of them were in honour of his own parents (with "Jack" being the masculine form of "Jacqueline") while the remaining one was deliberately chosen by his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] in honour of the {{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|Geoff Hurst}} who famously scored a hat-trick in {{wp|England}}'s 4-2 win over {{wp|West Germany}} in the {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup Final}}. In a 2017 interview with the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith said, ''"In a way, it was almost sort of prophetic or inevitable that for someone named after the only footballer to have scored a hat-trick in a {{wp|World Cup}} final, I would ultimately end up doing the same myself as well. In hindsight, my father was definitely right to name me in such a way and for whatever reason behind it the naming did certainly achieve its intended purpose"''.
Born William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith on 11 May 1979, Smith was the oldest of two children of actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} and the heir to the {{wp|British}} throne [[Thomas, King of the British|Prince Thomas]]. Having been born out of wedlock and from a largely secretive romantic affair between his parents, Smith, unlike his later half-siblings, was never officially made a prince, and therefore, despite being the firstborn son and a biological descendant of a member of the {{wp|British royal family}}, was never included in the {{wp|British}} line of succession to the throne. Reportedly named William after his paternal great-grandfather {{wp|William Bacall}}, Smith, who officially took his {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s surname, was given three middle names in which two of them were in honour of his parents (with "Jack" being the masculine form of "Jacqueline") while the remaining one was deliberately chosen by his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] in honour of the {{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|Geoff Hurst}} who famously scored a hat-trick in {{wp|England}}'s 4-2 win over {{wp|West Germany}} in the {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup Final}}. In a 2017 interview with the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith said, ''"In a way, it was almost sort of prophetic or inevitable that for someone named after the only footballer to have scored a hat-trick in a {{wp|World Cup}} final, I would ultimately end up doing the same myself as well. In hindsight, my father was definitely right to name me in such a way, and for whatever reason behind it, the naming did certainly achieve its intended purpose"''. In this, despite the need for near-constant secrecy regarding his true identity, so as to avoid attracting unnecessary media attention, Smith nonetheless grew up in relative comfort and wealth under the care of his biological parents who despite never being married to one another agreed to raise their firstborn child together. In later interviews, Smith himself would describe his childhood as "a rather strange one, but nonetheless, one that I have many happy memories of", while also recounting that his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] who despite being born of royalty was said to have "greatly encouraged me to be humble and true to who I am, that being the son of a middle-class woman from {{wp|Houston}}, {{wp|Texas}}". Additionally, his {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s paternal {{wp|Jewish}} roots, which mirrored that of his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]]'s maternal {{wp|Jewish}} roots, are said to have also greatly instilled in him a considerable sense of {{wp|Jewish}} identity although he never did necessarily converted to {{wp|Judaism}} and instead mostly identified as a {{wp|Protestant}}.


Despite the need for near-constant secrecy in regard to his true identity, so as to avoid attracting unnecessary media attention, Smith nonetheless grew up in relative comfort and wealth under the care of his biological parents, who despite never being married to one another, agreed to raise their firstborn child together. In later interviews, Smith himself would describe his childhood as "a rather strange one, but nonetheless, one that I have many happy memories of", while also recounting that his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] who despite being born of royalty was said to have "greatly encouraged me to be humble and true to who I am, that being the son of a middle-class woman from {{wp|Houston}}, {{wp|Texas}}". Additionally, his {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s paternal {{wp|Jewish}} roots, which mirrored that of his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]]'s maternal {{wp|Jewish}} roots, are said to have also greatly instilled in him a considerable sense of {{wp|Jewish}} identity although he never did necessarily converted to {{wp|Judaism}} and instead mostly identified as a {{wp|Protestant}}.
Early on, his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]]'s native {{wp|English}} roots, coupled with the {{wp|United Kingdom}} having football as its most popular sport, consequently led a young Smith to be exposed to the sport at a rather early age, with [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]] himself even going so far as to set up a small football field at the back of their family home for his son's pleasure. afterward, Smith later noted, ''"While he wasn't exactly a devout fanatic or the sort when it comes to football, he would absolutely be the most thrilled person in the world whenever I put my feet on the ball"''. In addition to this, Smith was also taught in other sports such as swimming, tennis, and golfing, in line with his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]]'s own sports-centric upbringing, which came about as a result of his grandfather [[Charles the Great|King Charles III]]'s own deep love for sports. Nonetheless, amidst all this, it was said that academic matters themselves were also given considerable importance, given that up to that point, no member of the {{wp|British royal family}} has ever received a "normal" form of education nor has any of them ever officially graduated from either a public or private university. In this, despite his deep athletic leanings, Smith proved to be a fairly intelligent and well-educated student with a knack for discipline and mostly finishing his homework on time. A fairly all-rounder student, his favourite subjects include {{wp|English}}, {{wp|Physical Examination}}, and {{wp|Mathematics}}.


Early on, his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]]'s native {{wp|English}} roots, coupled with the {{wp|United Kingdom}} having football as its most popular sport, consequently led a young Smith to be exposed to the sport at a rather early age, with [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]] himself even going so far as to set up a small football field at the back of their family home for his son's pleasure. Afterwards, Smith later noted, ''"While he wasn't exactly a devout fanatic or the sort when it comes to football, he would absolutely be the most thrilled person in the world whenever I put my feet on the ball"''. In addition to this, Smith was also taught in other sports such as swimming, tennis, and golfing, in line with his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]]'s own sports-centric upbringing, which came about as a result of his grandfather [[Charles the Great|King Charles III]]'s own deep love for sports. Nonetheless, amidst all this, it was said that academic matters themselves were also given considerable importance, given that up to that point, no member of the {{wp|British royal family}} has ever received a "normal" form of education nor has any of them ever officially graduated from either a public or private university. In this, despite his deep athletic leanings, Smith proved to be a fairly intelligent and well-educated student with a knack for discipline and mostly finishing his homework on time. Although a fairly all-rounder student, his favourite subjects include {{wp|English}}, {{wp|Physical Examination}}, and {{wp|Mathematics}}.
In 1982, when he was around three years old, Smith would be joined by a younger sister [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]], born on 22 June 1983, and who is named after her {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}, albeit in a slightly varied way. Consequently, it later became a common practice to refer to [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]] as "Jack" or "Jackie" in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother with the most commonly used nickname being "Little Jackie". Meanwhile, during a 2017 interview with the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith recounted that the two siblings "got along very well" and added that the departure of their [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] when they were only fourteen and ten respectively led Smith to assume a more leader-like role for the now family of three, stating, ''"Of course, not long after my [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] left, my {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}} finally remarried to another man meaning that in any case we were a family of four once again. Regardless, for as long as I could remember, when it came to [[Jacqueline Smith|Jackie]], I was essentially the one protecting her and looking after her whenever possible which was something that I quickly learned from my [[Thomas, King of the British|biological father]] early on"''. Later on, Smith has credited such circumstances in shaping him into a natural leader, especially during his subsequent football years, stating, ''"The fact that if anything, I had to take charge and ensure that those I care about are fine and protected early on meant that when others were perhaps still struggling, I was already familiar with handling people which was admittedly a very helpful extra help for my career"''.
 
In 1982, when he was around three years old, Smith would be joined by a younger sister [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]], born on 22 June 1983, and who is named after her {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}, albeit in a slightly varied way. Consequently, it later became a common practice to refer to [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]] as "Jack" or "Jackie" so as to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother with the most commonly used nickname is "Little Jackie". Meanwhile, during a 2017 interview with the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith recounted that the two siblings "got along very well" and added that the departure of their [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] when they were only fourteen and ten respectively led Smith to assume a more leader-like role for the now family of three, stating, ''"Of course, not long after my [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] left, my {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}} finally remarried to another man meaning that in any case we were a family of four once again. Regardless, for as long as I could remember, when it came to [[Jacqueline Smith|Jackie]], I was essentially the one protecting her and looking after her whenever possible which was something that I quickly learned from my [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|biological father]] early on"''. Later on, Smith has credited such circumstances in shaping him into a natural leader especially during his subsequent football years, stating, ''"The fact that if anything, I had to take charge and ensure that those I care about are fine and protected early on meant that when others were perhaps still struggling, I was already familiar with handling people which was admittedly a very helpful extra help for my career"''.


==Teenagehood==
==Teenagehood==
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When Smith was around sixteen years old, amidst pressure upon his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] to marry an eligible woman in order to secure the future of the {{wp|British}} monarchy, and the fact that Smith's mother {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} was, by virtue of her ex-husband, the actor {{wp|Roger Davis (television actor)|Roger Davis}} still being alive at the time, therefore canonically ineligible to marry her beloved romantic partner, the small family of four was thus met with an unexpected setback when [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]] later departed the family, albeit in a heavily reluctant manner, in order to marry the {{wp|American}} supermodel {{wp|Christy Turlington}}, who the former had been seeing for some time and who was deemed a prospective candidate as a legitimate wife, given that unlike {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|Smith}}, the former had never been divorced before, a condition that was reportedly the very obstacle to a potential marriage between Thomas himself and his then-romantic partner. Evidently, according to Smith himself, their [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]]'s departure was "one of the most difficult things in my life and one that tested our small family of four greatly with something that we could probably not have anticipated". Moreover, it was said that actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} herself later cried for "days on end" in the days following her romantic partner's departure although the presence of and support from her two children otherwise proved a comforting counterbalance to the actress's grievances. Therefore, for almost the next ten years or so, the now family of three continued to live in relative obscurity in {{wp|Los Angeles}}, {{wp|California}}, where the family had already made their home for a few years prior to [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]]' departure.
When Smith was around sixteen years old, amidst pressure upon his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] to marry an eligible woman in order to secure the future of the {{wp|British}} monarchy, and the fact that Smith's mother {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} was, by virtue of her ex-husband, the actor {{wp|Roger Davis (television actor)|Roger Davis}} still being alive at the time, therefore canonically ineligible to marry her beloved romantic partner, the small family of four was thus met with an unexpected setback when [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]] later departed the family, albeit in a heavily reluctant manner, in order to marry the {{wp|American}} supermodel {{wp|Christy Turlington}}, who the former had been seeing for some time and who was deemed a prospective candidate as a legitimate wife, given that unlike {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|Smith}}, the former had never been divorced before, a condition that was reportedly the very obstacle to a potential marriage between Thomas himself and his then-romantic partner. Evidently, according to Smith himself, their [[Thomas, King of the British|father]]'s departure was "one of the most difficult things in my life and one that tested our small family of four greatly with something that we could probably not have anticipated". Moreover, it was said that actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}} herself later cried for "days on end" in the days following her romantic partner's departure although the presence of and support from her two children otherwise proved a comforting counterbalance to the actress's grievances. Therefore, for almost the next ten years or so, the now family of three continued to live in relative obscurity in {{wp|Los Angeles}}, {{wp|California}}, where the family had already made their home for a few years prior to [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]' departure.


In the years since their romance officially came to an end, Smith's mother {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|Jaclyn}} later remarried to {{wp|American}} surgeon {{wp|Brad Allen}} who Smith later described as a "kind and very caring stepfather" while asserting that "absolutely no one will ever come to replace my own [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|biological father]]", adding that despite the two enjoying a relatively cordial relationship, both Smith and his [[Jacqueline Smith|sister]] were still mostly emotionally attached to their biological father, with whom the two longed on reuniting in the nearby future. In this, Smith sought to use his own football career as a means to do so by hopefully making himself noticeable in the eyes of major {{wp|European}} football clubs, especially {{wp|Manchester United}}, a club that he had supported since childhood and which would crucially allow him to move to {{wp|England}} where his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] mainly resides.  
In the years since their romance officially came to an end, Smith's mother {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|Jaclyn}} later remarried to {{wp|American}} surgeon {{wp|Brad Allen}} who Smith later described as a "kind and very caring stepfather" while asserting that "absolutely no one will ever come to replace my own [[Thomas, King of the British|biological father]]", adding that despite the two enjoying a relatively cordial relationship, both Smith and his [[Jacqueline Smith|sister]] were still mostly emotionally attached to their biological father, with whom the two longed on reuniting in the nearby future. In this, Smith sought to use his own football career as a means to do so by hopefully making himself noticeable in the eyes of major {{wp|European}} football clubs, especially {{wp|Manchester United}}, a club that he had supported since childhood and which would crucially allow him to move to {{wp|England}} where his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] mainly resides.  


==Club Career==
==Club Career==
===LA Galaxy (1992 - 2003)===
===LA Galaxy (1992 - 2003)===
====Youth Prospect (1992 - 1997)====
====Youth Prospect====
[[File:Bradenton, Florida.jpg|200px|thumb|right|An aerial view of the {{wp|IMG Academy}} in {{wp|Bradenton, Florida}}]]
[[File:Bradenton, Florida.jpg|200px|thumb|right|An aerial view of the {{wp|IMG Academy}} in {{wp|Bradenton, Florida}}, where Smith spent his formative years prior to becoming a professional footballer]]
Having already shown a deep-seated interest in football at a rather young age, at thirteen, Smith was enrolled by his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] at the {{wp|IMG Academy}} in {{wp|Florida}}, one of the country's most well-known sports academy that was first established in 1978. Early on, having quickly earned a reputation as a "hardworking" and "tenacious" youth prospect, Smith was able to quickly impress both his teammates and the officials at the academy, during which he quickly gained a reputation for an excellent playing style as well as a strong sense of discipline, with one of Smith's former educators at the academy later recounting the former as a "very dutiful" and "extremely hardworking" player while another described the {{wp|California}}-born teenager as "someone who always wants to achieve all that he could and who also doesn't easily give up in doing so at the first sight of defeat". Eventually, at eighteen years old, Smith was finally granted a much-awaited senior soccer career when he was then chosen for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} in just the second season of {{wp|Major League Soccer}}.  
Having already shown a deep-seated interest in football at a rather young age, at thirteen, Smith was enrolled by his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] at the {{wp|IMG Academy}} in {{wp|Bradenton, Florida|Bradenton}}, {{wp|Florida}}, one of the country's most well-known sports academy that was first established in 1978. Early on, having quickly earned a reputation as a "hardworking" and "tenacious" youth prospect, Smith was able to quickly impress both his teammates and the officials at the academy, during which he quickly gained a reputation for an excellent playing style as well as a strong sense of discipline, with one of Smith's former educators at the academy later recounting the former as a "very dutiful" and "extremely hardworking" player while another described the {{wp|California}}-born teenager as "someone who always wants to achieve all that he could and who also doesn't easily give up in doing so at the first sight of defeat". Eventually, at eighteen years old, Smith was finally granted a much-awaited senior soccer career when he was then chosen for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} in just the second season of {{wp|Major League Soccer}}.  
 
During an interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}} in 2018, Smith revealed that around the time he began his senior professional career as a footballer, he also attended university so as to simultaneously further his education while concentrating on his growing football career. To that end, he attended the {{wp|UCLA|University of California, Los Angeles}}, where he received a bachelor's degree in the field of {{wp|sports science}} which he later supplemented with a master's degree from the {{wp|City, University of London|University of London}} that he pursued after retiring from professional football. In the meantime, despite his lifelong passion for football, back in his early years and even today, Smith also enjoyed other forms of sports including {{wp|golf}}, {{wp|boxing}}, and {{wp|cycling}}. 


====Senior Team (1997 - 2003)====
====Senior Team====
Following his promotion to the senior team, Smith soon made his debut in the club's first match in the 1997 season, namely a home match against {{wp|D.C. United}}, where he scored his first goal for the club at the 23rd-minute, giving his team an initial 1-0 lead before a subsequent goal by {{wp|D.C. United}} midfielder {{wp|Richie Williams}} resulted in the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Then, in the following match against {{wp|Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards}}, Smith, who initially started as a substitute, was called onto the pitch early on in the twelfth minute as a substitute for midfielder {{wp|Coby Jones}} following which he proceeded to score a goal at the 49th-minute, thereby raising the scoreline to 3-3 before following it up with a brace at the 87th minute, with Smith's brace proving to be the essential tiebreaker that resulted in {{wp|LA Galaxy}} achieving a dramatic 4-3 win over their opponents. Deservedly so, Smith himself was then lauded as the man of the match and would proceed to feature almost regularly in the rest of the matches that season, during which he scored his first hat-trick in his professional career in another comeback victory, this time against {{wp|FC Dallas}}, who {{wp|LA Galaxy}} defeated 4-2 as a result of Smith's hat-trick. By the end of it, with twenty-eight appearances in total that season, Smith had managed to score a total of thirty-six goals, a number far higher than any other players in the league. Despite this, in overall terms, {{wp|LA Galaxy}} itself failed to win any title that year although Smith's overall performance, which far outclassed those of his peers in the league, quickly gained much attention from the {{wp|American}} media with ''{{wp|The New York Times}}'' touting Smith as a "potential {{wp|World Cup}} winner" while {{wp|CNN}} described him as "the long-awaited answer and key to {{wp|America}}'s {{wp|World Cup}} setbacks". Despite this, presumably due to his extremely young age, being only nineteen at the time (the youngest at the tournament was 18-year-old {{wp|Michael Owen}}), Smith would not be included in the national team for the {{wp|1998 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|France}} where the {{wp|United States}} met an early exit from the tournament in the group stages following three straight defeats. Regarding this, he later said, ''"In hindsight, thank God I wasn't part of the squad that went to {{wp|France}} that year because by the looks of it three straight defeats and only one goal scored with several more conceded in return make it as if no one in the squad there knew how to properly play or even function as a single working team"''.
Immediately after he was drafted by {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith soon made his debut in the club's first match in the 1997 season, namely a home match against {{wp|D.C. United}}, where he scored his first goal for the club in the 23rd-minute, giving his team an initial 1-0 lead before a subsequent goal by {{wp|D.C. United}} midfielder {{wp|Richie Williams}} resulted in the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Then, in the following match against {{wp|Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards}}, Smith, who initially started as a substitute, was called onto the pitch early on in the twelfth minute as a substitute for midfielder {{wp|Coby Jones}} following which he proceeded to score a goal in the 49th-minute, thereby raising the scoreline to 3-3 before following it up with a brace in the 87th minute, with Smith's second goal proving to be the essential tiebreaker that resulted in {{wp|LA Galaxy}} achieving a dramatic 4-3 win over their opponents. Deservedly so, Smith himself was then lauded as the man of the match and would proceed to feature almost regularly in the rest of the matches that season, during which he scored his first hat-trick in his professional career in another comeback victory, this time against {{wp|FC Dallas|Dallas Burn}} who {{wp|LA Galaxy}} defeated 4-2 as a result of Smith's hat-trick. By the end of it, with twenty-eight appearances in total that season, Smith had managed to score a total of thirty-six goals, a number far higher than any other players in the league. Consequently, his stellar performance saw {{wp|LA Galaxy}} clinch a spot in the playoffs. In this, a hat-trick from Smith allowed {{wp|LA Galaxy}} to draw 3-3 {{wp|FC Dallas|Dallas Burn}} in the second game of the conference semi-finals although they were eventually eliminated 3-4 on penalties. Meanwhile, on 22 August 1997, Smith scored his first goal in the {{wp|CONCACAF Champions Cup}}, namely in a 2-0 win over {{wp|D.C. United}}, which he promptly followed up on August 24th to narrowly defeat the {{wp|Liga MX}} side {{wp|Cruz Azul}} 6-5 in the finals to clinch the club's first-ever title in the tournament.


[[File:PeleNYC.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The {{wp|Brazilian}} football legend {{wp|Pelé}} playing for the now-defunct {{wp|North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League}} club {{wp|New York Cosmos (1970–1985)|New York Cosmos}}. His two-year presence at the club has been widely attributed to the sudden surge in popularity for soccer in the {{wp|United States}} around the late 1970s]]
[[File:PeleNYC.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The {{wp|Brazilian}} football legend {{wp|Pelé}} playing for the now-defunct {{wp|North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League}} club {{wp|New York Cosmos (1970–1985)|New York Cosmos}}. His two-year presence at the club has been widely attributed to the sudden surge in popularity for soccer in the {{wp|United States}} around the late 1970s]]
Meanwhile, the following 1998 season would prove to be of some success, with {{wp|LA Galaxy}} topping both the {{wp|Western Conference}} table as well as winning the {{wp|Supporters' Shield}} that year. In the meantime, Smith personally proved successful in bettering his record from the previous season, scoring a total of forty-five goals in thirty appearances, during which he gained much attention for having scored two hat-tricks in a row on two separate occasions. This, coupled with the {{wp|American}} public's vivid memories of {{wp|Brazilian}} legend {{wp|Pelé}}'s time as a footballer in the {{wp|United States}} roughly two decades prior during the 1970s, led media outlets to begin drawing comparisons between the young Smith and the {{wp|Brazilian}} legend. Then, in the 1999 season, Smith also led the club to win its first {{wp|U.S. Open Cup}} trophy with himself notably contributing two consecutive hat-tricks in a row to help {{wp|LA Galaxy}} defeat both {{wp|Rochester New York FC}} and the {{wp|Colorado Rapids}} 3-1 in the semi-finals and finals respectively. In addition to this, Smith also provided the lone goal for his team in the {{wp|MLS Cup 1999}} match against {{wp|D.C. United}} although this proved insufficient after a comeback by the latter ultimately sealed the match in their favour with a narrow 2-1 win over {{wp|LA Galaxy}}. In the meantime, despite personally scoring a memorable hat-trick for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} to break a 1-1 deadlock in the {{wp|1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup}} qualifying playoff match against {{wp|Mexican}} club {{wp|Necaxa}}, and later two important goals in a 2-1 win over {{wp|Deportivo Saprissa}} in the quarter-finals, Smith's club was ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals once again by {{wp|D.C. United}} who later won the tournament 3-0 in the finals against {{wp|Liga Deportiva Alajuelense|Alajuelense}}.  
Meanwhile, despite having missed out on qualifying for the {{wp|CONCACAF Champions Cup}}, the following 1998 season would prove to be of some success, with {{wp|LA Galaxy}} topping the {{wp|Western Conference}} table as well as winning the {{wp|Supporters' Shield}} that year. In the meantime, Smith personally proved successful in bettering his record from the previous season, scoring a total of forty-five goals in thirty appearances, during which he gained much attention for having scored two hat-tricks in a row on two separate occasions. This, coupled with the {{wp|American}} public's vivid memories of {{wp|Brazilian}} legend {{wp|Pelé}}'s time as a footballer in the {{wp|United States}} roughly two decades prior during the 1970s, led media outlets to begin drawing comparisons between the young Smith and the {{wp|Brazilian}} legend. Then, in the 1999 season, Smith also led the club to win its first {{wp|U.S. Open Cup}} trophy with himself notably contributing two consecutive hat-tricks in a row to help {{wp|LA Galaxy}} defeat both {{wp|Rochester New York FC}} and the {{wp|Colorado Rapids}} 3-1 in the semi-finals and finals respectively. In addition to this, Smith also provided the lone goal for his team in the {{wp|MLS Cup 1999}} match against {{wp|D.C. United}} although this proved insufficient after a comeback by the latter ultimately sealed the match in their favour with a narrow 2-1 win over {{wp|LA Galaxy}}. In the meantime, despite personally scoring a memorable hat-trick for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} to break a 1-1 deadlock in the {{wp|1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup}} qualifying playoff match against {{wp|Mexican}} club {{wp|Necaxa}}, and later two important goals in a 2-1 win over {{wp|Deportivo Saprissa}} in the quarter-finals, Smith's club was ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals once again by {{wp|D.C. United}} who later won the tournament 3-0 in the finals against {{wp|Liga Deportiva Alajuelense|Alajuelense}}.  


In contrast, while his initial years at the club had been of mixed success despite his consistently promising performance, his last three years at {{wp|LA Galaxy}} proved to be a more successful period, with Smith himself captaining the club to three straight {{wp|U.S. Open Cup}} wins in a row, as well as back-to-back {{wp|MLS Cup}} wins in 2002 and 2003 respectively. In addition to that, following the previous failure in the year beforehand, Smith finally saw much-awaited success in the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup}} where despite scoring just one goal this time around, that being a tiebreaking goal in the semi-finals against rivals {{wp|D.C. United}}, he would ultimately win the tournament thanks to the club's 3-2 win over {{wp|C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia}} in the finals. Then, after previously missing out on the {{wp|2002 CONCACAF Champions Cup|2002}} edition, Smith would return to the tournament for one final time in {{wp|2003 CONCACAF Champions Cup|2003}} where he began with a hat-trick against {{wp|F.C. Motagua|Motagua}} in the round of sixteen, thereby guaranteeing a dominant 6-2 victory before promptly following it up with four goals in the quarter-finals against {{wp|Necaxa}} who initially appeared dominant with four goals in the first leg but who were ultimately forced into a penalty shootout thanks to Smith's four consequential goals, which later ended in a 4-2 win for {{wp|LA Galaxy}}. Following this, a 6-2 win over another {{wp|Mexican}} club {{wp|Atlético Morelia}} in the semi-finals saw them reach the finals for the second time where they later drew 4-4 with another {{wp|Mexican}} side {{wp|Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Club Toluca}}, with the ensuing penalty shootout resulting in a narrow 3-4 loss to their opponents, thereby effectively ending Smith's hope of winning a second {{wp|CONCACAF Champions Cup}} title. Meanwhile, despite having won the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup|2000}} edition which would automatically qualify them for the {{wp|FIFA Club World Championship}}, Smith and {{wp|LA Galaxy}} were ultimately unable to participate in the ensuing {{wp|2001 FIFA Club World Championship|2001}} edition after it was unexpectedly cancelled by {{wp|FIFA}} amidst financial difficulties.  
In contrast, while his initial years at the club had been of mixed success in spite of his consistently promising performance, his last three years at {{wp|LA Galaxy}} proved to be a more successful period, with Smith himself captaining the club to three straight {{wp|U.S. Open Cup}} wins in a row, as well as back-to-back {{wp|MLS Cup}} wins in 2002 and 2003 respectively. In addition to that, following the previous failure in the year beforehand, Smith finally saw much-awaited success in the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup}} where despite scoring just one goal this time around, that being a tiebreaking goal in the semi-finals against rivals {{wp|D.C. United}}, he would ultimately win the tournament thanks to the club's 3-2 win over {{wp|C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia}} in the finals. Then, after previously missing out on the {{wp|2002 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|2002}} edition, Smith would return to the tournament for one final time in {{wp|2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|2003}} where he began with a hat-trick against {{wp|F.C. Motagua|Motagua}} in the round of sixteen, thereby guaranteeing a dominant 6-2 victory before promptly following it up with four goals in the quarter-finals against {{wp|Necaxa}} who initially appeared dominant with four goals in the first leg but who were ultimately forced into a penalty shootout thanks to Smith's four consequential goals, which later ended in a 4-2 win for {{wp|LA Galaxy}}. Following this, a 6-2 win over another {{wp|Mexican}} club {{wp|Atlético Morelia}} in the semi-finals saw them reach the finals for the second time where they later drew 4-4 with another {{wp|Mexican}} side {{wp|Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Club Toluca}}, with the ensuing penalty shootout resulting in a narrow 3-4 loss to their opponents, thereby effectively ending Smith's hope of winning a second {{wp|CONCACAF Champions Cup}} title. Meanwhile, despite having won the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|2000}} edition which would automatically qualify them for the {{wp|FIFA Club World Championship}}, Smith and {{wp|LA Galaxy}} were ultimately unable to participate in the ensuing {{wp|2001 FIFA Club World Championship|2001}} edition after it was unexpectedly canceled by {{wp|FIFA}} amidst financial difficulties.  


With a total of 184 appearances, Smith had ultimately racked up a total of 227 goals, consequently making him the all-time goalscorer for both {{wp|LA Galaxy}} and {{wp|Major League Soccer}}, with the runner-up being {{wp|Chris Wondolowski}} with 177 goals. In the meantime, with the end of the {{wp|2003 Major League Soccer season}}, Smith promptly announced his departure from {{wp|LA Galaxy}} following a six-year-long period with his next move quickly becoming a subject of much media interest and speculation with one media outlet speculating on a rather unusual move to the {{wp|Bundesliga}} side {{wp|Bayer Leverkusen}}, the parent club of fellow {{wp|United States}} international {{wp|Landon Donovan}}, who had then been on loan at {{wp|San Jose Earthquakes}}, another {{wp|Major League Soccer}} side. Nonetheless, several more well-known football clubs were also touted as Smith's likely destination with the illustrious {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Manchester United}} being a likely candidate, especially given the fact that it was the very football club that Smith himself grew up supporting and which he had also publicly voiced his desire to play for in the near future. Aside from this, {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} were also touted as a likely candidate owing to club president {{wp|Florentino Pérez}}'s ''{{wp|Galácticos}}'' philosophy that revolves around signing talented big-name players to the club which saw the likes of {{wp|Zinedine Zidane}}, {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}}, and {{wp|David Beckham}} arrive at the club in recent years.  
With a total of 184 appearances, Smith had ultimately racked up a total of 227 goals, consequently making him the all-time goalscorer for both {{wp|LA Galaxy}} and {{wp|Major League Soccer}}, with the runner-up being {{wp|Chris Wondolowski}} with 177 goals. In the meantime, with the end of the {{wp|2003 Major League Soccer season}}, Smith promptly announced his departure from {{wp|LA Galaxy}} following a six-year-long period with his next move quickly becoming a subject of much media interest and speculation with one media outlet speculating on a rather unusual move to the {{wp|Bundesliga}} side {{wp|Bayer Leverkusen}}, the parent club of fellow {{wp|United States}} international {{wp|Landon Donovan}}, who had then been on loan at {{wp|San Jose Earthquakes}}, another {{wp|Major League Soccer}} side. Nonetheless, several more well-known football clubs were also touted as Smith's likely destination with the illustrious {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Manchester United}} being a likely candidate, especially given the fact that it was the very football club that Smith himself grew up supporting and which he had also publicly voiced his desire to play for in the near future. Aside from this, {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} were also touted as a likely candidate owing to club president {{wp|Florentino Pérez}}'s ''{{wp|Galácticos}}'' philosophy that revolves around signing talented big-name players to the club which saw the likes of {{wp|Zinedine Zidane}}, {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}}, and {{wp|David Beckham}} arrive at the club in recent years.  


[[File:Florentino Pérez 2022 (cropped).jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|Florentino Pérez}}, chairman of {{wp|La Liga}} club {{wp|Real Madrid}} from 2000 to 2006 and again since 2009 during which he made two unsuccessful attempts to bring William Smith to {{wp|Real Madrid}} as part of the ''{{wp|Galácticos}}'' project]]
[[File:Florentino Pérez 2022 (cropped).jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|Florentino Pérez}}, chairman of {{wp|La Liga}} club {{wp|Real Madrid}} from 2000 to 2006 and again since 2009 during which he made two unsuccessful attempts to bring William Smith to {{wp|Real Madrid}} as part of the ''{{wp|Galácticos}}'' project]]
In the end, on 1 August 2004, the {{wp|BBC}} would be the first to announce that Smith had signed for the {{wp|Premier League}} side {{wp|Manchester United}} for a world-record £68 million, the news of which quickly drew much attention to the already well-known and decorated {{wp|Premier League}} club, whose fans and supporters later crowded {{wp|Old Trafford}} to personally witness the unveiling of Smith as the club's newest player with the stadium itself later said to be at almost full capacity as each seat was taken up by anxious fans waiting to see the rising {{wp|American}}-born footballer. In the meantime, {{wp|Real Madrid}} chairman {{wp|Florentino Pérez}} was said to have been "extremely distraught" and according to some "somewhat livid" upon learning of the news given that the club's scouting agents alongside its well-known players such as {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} and {{wp|David Beckham}} have all initially attempted to convince the young {{wp|American}} star to sign for the {{wp|La Liga}} giants under the premise of playing with some of football's greatest talents around. Later, according to {{wp|David Beckham|Beckham}}, despite the allure of potentially playing with some of football's greatest talents in one team, Smith reportedly remarked, ''"{{wp|Real Madrid}} sounds nice but I'm a {{wp|Manchester United}} fan and I'm going to sign for that club no matter what"''. Meanwhile, in his autobiography, Smith revealed that the famous {{wp|German}} goalkeeper {{wp|Oliver Kahn}}, reportedly impressed by Smith's performance at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, attempted to convince him to sign for {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} (which {{wp|Oliver Kahn|Kahn}} himself is a part of), stating, ''"When {{wp|Oliver Kahn|Oliver}} heard that I was coming to {{wp|Europe}} he gave me a phone call once and told me to come to {{wp|Bayern Munich|Bayern}} because with the way I played he said I could definitely be the {{wp|American}} version of {{wp|Gerd Müller}} who is an indisputable legend in {{wp|German}} football"''. In response, while admitting his flattery by such a comparison, Smith himself later expressed his desire to "not be the {{wp|American}} or {{wp|English}} version of some great legend but just myself in all my own glory and success".
In the end, on 1 August 2004, the {{wp|BBC}} would be the first to announce that Smith had signed for the {{wp|Premier League}} side {{wp|Manchester United}} for a world-record £68 million, the news of which quickly drew much attention to the already well-known and decorated {{wp|Premier League}} club, whose fans and supporters later crowded {{wp|Old Trafford}} to personally witness the unveiling of Smith as the club's newest player with the stadium itself later said to be at almost full capacity as each seat was taken up by anxious fans waiting to see the rising {{wp|American}}-born footballer. In the meantime, {{wp|Real Madrid}} chairman {{wp|Florentino Pérez}} was said to have been "extremely distraught" and according to some "somewhat livid" upon learning of the news given that the club's scouting agents alongside its well-known players such as {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} and {{wp|David Beckham}} have all initially attempted to convince the young {{wp|American}} star to sign for the {{wp|La Liga}} giants under the premise of playing with some of football's greatest talents around. Later, according to {{wp|David Beckham|Beckham}}, despite the allure of potentially playing with some of football's greatest talents in one team, Smith reportedly remarked, ''"{{wp|Real Madrid}} sounds nice but I'm a {{wp|Manchester United}} fan and I'm going to sign for that club no matter what"''. Meanwhile, in his autobiography, Smith revealed that the famous {{wp|German}} goalkeeper {{wp|Oliver Kahn}}, reportedly impressed by Smith's performance at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, attempted to convince him to sign for {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} (which {{wp|Oliver Kahn|Kahn}} himself is a part of), stating, ''"When {{wp|Oliver Kahn|Oliver}} heard that I was coming to {{wp|Europe}}, he gave me a phone call once and told me to come to {{wp|Bayern Munich|Bayern}} because, with the way I played, he said I could definitely be the {{wp|American}} version of {{wp|Gerd Müller}}, an undeniable {{wp|German}} football legend, and that I would make a great striker to play with while he is the goalkeeper"''. In response, while admitting his flattery by such a comparison, Smith himself later expressed his desire to "not be the {{wp|American}} or {{wp|English}} version of some great legend but just myself in all my own glory and success".


Afterwards, in 2010, when Smith then bid farewell to {{wp|Manchester United}}, {{wp|Real Madrid}}, having then signed {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} from the {{wp|English}} club the year before, once again attempted to lure Smith with a contract much luxurious than that offered to his {{wp|Portuguese}} teammate but which was once again rejected as the latter subsequently chose {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} instead in his move to {{wp|La Liga}}. In the words of former {{wp|Real Madrid}} goalkeeper {{wp|Iker Casillas}}, Smith was, in the eyes of {{wp|Real Madrid}} supporters, "the one that got away", and in {{wp|Florentino Pérez|Pérez}}'s eyes, "the holy grail that he never achieved". Even more so, as Smith himself would later spearhead {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to five straight {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} titles, {{wp|Real Madrid}}'s ultimate inability to ever acquire Smith's services became ever more consequential and hard-hitting, with former {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} manager {{wp|Pep Guardiola}} once stating, ''"Undoubtedly, all three of us had our own greatest player but {{wp|Diego Simeone|Diego}}, judging by the titles that he won, was definitely the luckiest and as some people would say had struck gold in getting him when others instead failed"''. Similarly, {{wp|BBC Sport}} later dubbed it "The Steal of the Century", adding, ''"Truly, for someone of his stature at the time, one would mostly ever consider between {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} but instead he did the opposite and will certainly have a rare legacy to speak of for generations"''.
Afterward, in 2010, when Smith bid farewell to {{wp|Manchester United}}, {{wp|Real Madrid}}, having then signed {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} from the {{wp|English}} club the year before, once again attempted to lure Smith with a contract much luxurious than that offered to his {{wp|Portuguese}} teammate but which was once again rejected as the latter subsequently chose {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} instead in his move to {{wp|La Liga}}. In the words of former {{wp|Real Madrid}} goalkeeper {{wp|Iker Casillas}}, Smith was, in the eyes of {{wp|Real Madrid}} supporters, "the one that got away", and in {{wp|Florentino Pérez|Pérez}}'s eyes, "the holy grail that he never achieved". Even more so, as Smith himself would later spearhead {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to five straight {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} titles, {{wp|Real Madrid}}'s ultimate inability to ever acquire Smith's services became ever more consequential and hard-hitting, with former {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} manager {{wp|Pep Guardiola}} once stating, ''"Undoubtedly, all three of us had our own greatest player but {{wp|Diego Simeone|Diego}}, judging by the titles that he won, was definitely the luckiest and as some people would say had struck gold in getting him when others instead failed"''. Similarly, {{wp|BBC Sport}} later dubbed it "The Steal of the Century", adding, ''"Truly, for someone of his stature at the time, one would mostly ever consider between {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} but instead he did the opposite and will certainly have a rare legacy to speak of for generations"''.


===Manchester United (2004 - 2010)===
===Manchester United (2004 - 2010)===
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}}
}}
On 1 August 2004, just a day after a friendly match against {{wp|A.C. Milan}}, Smith, by then a free agent and who was then on a temporary break from professional football following his historic triumph at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, was officially announced to have joined {{wp|Manchester United}} with his transfer to the club said to have then brought "extreme delight" for longtime head coach {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}} who later remarked in a 2014 interview, ''"The fact that a recent {{wp|World Cup}} champion and the man who scored a hat-trick to defeat the mighty {{wp|Brazil}} was just walking around as a free agent waiting for a club to sign him is like a dream come true and the fact that {{wp|Manchester United}} was the one who did it will always be something that I'll be proud of for the rest of my life"''. Soon enough, on 8 August 2004, Smith would make his debut for the club just a week later in the {{wp|2004 FA Community Shield}} match against {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}, where he was called in early on at the 19th-minute as a substitute for {{wp|Paul Scholes}}, who had to be subbed off following an unfortunate injury on his left thigh. Then, following an initial 55th-minute goal by {{wp|Alan Smith (footballer, born 1980)|Alan Smith}}, Smith himself netted a late goal, his first ever for the club, in the 91st-minute following a successful run down the right flank past {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} defenders although this proved not enough to ultimately avoid a narrow 2-3 defeat at the hands of {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} who ultimately won the match by a rather thin 3-2 margin.  
On 1 August 2004, just a day after a friendly match against {{wp|A.C. Milan}}, Smith, by then a free agent and on a temporary break from professional football following his historic triumph at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, was officially announced to have joined {{wp|Manchester United}} with his transfer to the club said to have then brought "extreme delight" for longtime head coach {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}} who later remarked in a 2014 interview, ''"The fact that a recent {{wp|World Cup}} champion and the man who scored a hat-trick to defeat the mighty {{wp|Brazil}} was just walking around as a free agent waiting for a club to sign him is like a dream come true and the fact that {{wp|Manchester United}} was the one who did it will always be something that I'll be proud of for the rest of my life"''. Soon enough, on 8 August 2004, Smith would make his debut for the club just a week later in the {{wp|2004 FA Community Shield}} match against {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}, where he was called in early on in the 19th-minute as a substitute for {{wp|Paul Scholes}}, who had to be subbed off following an unfortunate injury on his left thigh. Then, following an initial 55th-minute goal by {{wp|Alan Smith (footballer, born 1980)|Alan Smith}}, Smith himself netted a late goal, his first ever for the club, in the 91st-minute following a successful run down the right flank past {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} defenders although this proved not enough to ultimately avoid a narrow 2-3 defeat at the hands of {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} who ultimately won the match by a rather thin 3-2 margin.  


Nonetheless, not long after his debut at the {{wp|FA Community Shield}} match, Smith was then featured in {{wp|Manchester United}}'s first {{wp|Premier League}} match of the season that year, where after once again coming on as a substitute at the 25th-minute, Smith proceeded to immediately make a name for himself in the {{wp|English}} football scene by scoring a hat-trick in the 84th minute, thereby allowing {{wp|Manchester United|The Red Devils}} to easily beat {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} 4-1, after they were initially down by 0-1. Following this, Smith was once again employed as a "super sub" in the next two matches, before an injury during his third league match led him to miss the next few subsequent games. However, shortly after his return, Smith, now a regular starter for the club, once more caught the football world by storm when in his returning match against {{wp|Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth}}, Smith scored his second hat-trick to save the club from a 0-2 defeat, something which he came to emulate in the next three matches against {{wp|Manchester City}}, {{wp|Newcastle United}}, and {{wp|Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic}} respectively. However, this too ultimately proved not enough to win {{wp|Manchester United|The Red Devils}} the {{wp|Premier League}} season that year, with the club finishing as runner-up behind rivals {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}. Nonetheless, his overall performance for the club, made especially notable by the thirty-five goals he scored, the highest ever that year in both the {{wp|Premier League}} and in {{wp|European}} football saw him receive both a {{wp|Premier League Golden Boot}} award and an {{wp|European Golden Shoe}} award that year, which only further raised his image in the wider footballing community. In that same season, Smith also made his mark in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, where throughout the course of the competition, he recorded a total of three separate hat-tricks, whilst notably scoring the lone goal in the finals against {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}, thereby avoiding a narrow 0-1 defeat, before proceeding to beat their {{wp|English}} rivals 4-2 in a penalty shootout, awarding the club their third {{wp|UEFA Champions League|Champions League}} title.
Nonetheless, not long after his debut at the {{wp|FA Community Shield}} match, Smith was then featured in {{wp|Manchester United}}'s first {{wp|Premier League}} match of the season that year, where after once again coming on as a substitute in the 25th-minute, Smith proceeded to immediately make a name for himself in the {{wp|English}} football scene by scoring a hat-trick in the 84th minute, thereby allowing {{wp|Manchester United|The Red Devils}} to easily beat {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} 4-1, after they were initially down by 0-1. Following this, Smith was once again employed as a "super sub" in the next two matches, before an injury during his third league match led him to miss the next few subsequent games. However, shortly after his return, Smith, now a regular starter for the club, once more caught the football world by storm when in his returning match against {{wp|Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth}}, Smith scored his second hat-trick to save the club from a 0-2 defeat, something which he came to emulate in the next three matches against {{wp|Manchester City}}, {{wp|Newcastle United}}, and {{wp|Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic}} respectively. However, this too ultimately proved not enough to win {{wp|Manchester United|The Red Devils}} the {{wp|Premier League}} season that year, with the club finishing as runner-up behind rivals {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}. Nonetheless, his overall performance for the club, made especially notable by the thirty-five goals he scored, the highest ever that year in both the {{wp|Premier League}} and in {{wp|European}} football saw him receive both a {{wp|Premier League Golden Boot}} award and an {{wp|European Golden Shoe}} award that year, which only further raised his image in the wider footballing community. In that same season, Smith also made his mark in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, where throughout the course of the competition, he recorded a total of three separate hat-tricks, whilst notably scoring the lone goal in the finals against {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}, thereby avoiding a narrow 0-1 defeat, before proceeding to beat their {{wp|English}} rivals 4-2 in a penalty shootout, awarding the club their third {{wp|UEFA Champions League|Champions League}} title.


====Peak of Success and Departure to Atlético Madrid====
====Peak of Success and Departure to Atlético Madrid====
[[File:200708.png|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Manchester United}} squad celebrating their historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} triumph]]
[[File:200708.png|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Manchester United}} squad celebrating their historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} triumph]]
For the following season, Smith continued to display a consistently positive performance, helping {{wp|Manchester United|The Red Devils}} to finally win the {{wp|Premier League}} albeit by their narrowest margin yet, that is by just one point ahead of runners-up {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}. Similarly, the club also found much success in the {{wp|FA Cup}} and {{wp|EFL Cup}} respectively but otherwise fell short of winning the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} for a second consecutive time following a narrow 4-5 defeat via penalty shootouts to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the quarter-finals after both teams were tied at 5-5. Then, following the next two seasons where {{wp|Manchester United}} continued to see much consistent success in the domestic scene, Smith's time with the club came to a high point when in 2009 the club became the first-ever {{wp|European}} team to achieve a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} by winning the {{wp|2008-09 Premier League}} season, the {{wp|2008-09 FA Cup}} season, the {{wp|2009 FA Community Shield}}, the {{wp|2008-09 UEFA Champions League}} season, as well as the {{wp|2009 UEFA Super Cup}} and the {{wp|2009 FIFA Club World Cup}}. In the following season, as well as the season beforehand, {{wp|Manchester United}} surprisingly came close to achieving another {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} if not for an unfortunate loss in the {{wp|FA Cup}} in both seasons in a testament to the club's overall dominance at the time.  
For the following season, Smith continued to display a consistently positive performance, helping {{wp|Manchester United|The Red Devils}} to finally win the {{wp|Premier League}} albeit by their narrowest margin yet, that is by just one point ahead of runners-up {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}. Similarly, the club also found much success in the {{wp|FA Cup}} and {{wp|EFL Cup}} respectively but otherwise fell short of winning the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} for a second consecutive time following a narrow 4-5 defeat via penalty shootouts to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the quarter-finals after both teams were tied at 5-5. Then, following the next two seasons where {{wp|Manchester United}} continued to see much consistent success in the domestic scene, Smith's time with the club came to a high point when in 2009 the club became the first-ever {{wp|European}} team to achieve a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} by winning the {{wp|2008-09 Premier League}} season, the {{wp|2008-09 FA Cup}} season, the {{wp|2009 FA Community Shield}}, the {{wp|2008-09 UEFA Champions League}} season, as well as the {{wp|2009 UEFA Super Cup}} and the {{wp|2009 FIFA Club World Cup}}. In the following season, as well as the season beforehand, {{wp|Manchester United}} surprisingly came close to achieving another {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} if not for an unfortunate loss in the {{wp|FA Cup}} in both seasons in a testament to the club's overall dominance at the time. Meanwhile, in 2009, Smith twice made history in the {{wp|Premier League}}, firstly by scoring a record seven goals in a historic 10-0 win over {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}} on February 18th and secondly by scoring four goals in a 7-1 win over {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} on September 12th. In this, his seven goals scored, currently an unbroken league record, saw {{wp|Manchester United}} once again mark the biggest win in {{wp|Premier League}} history, surpassing their own previous record of a 9-0 win over {{wp|Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich}} in which {{wp|Andy Cole}} scored a record five goals. Moreover, having previously set the new record for the most goals scored in a {{wp|Premier League}} season with 39 goals in his second season with {{wp|Manchester United}}, Smith, over the course of his last two seasons with the club, established a new record of 41 goals in both seasons which would remain unbroken until {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}'s [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Richard]] scored a record 45 goals in the 2022-23 season.
 
Following the end of the 2009-10 season, after it was reported by the {{wp|BBC}} that Smith did not wish to renew his six-year contract with {{wp|Manchester United}}, rumours quickly arose regarding his next destination with several of {{wp|Europe}}'s biggest clubs including {{wp|Real Madrid}}, {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, {{wp|FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich}}, and {{wp|Juventus FC|Juventus}} being touted as his next club. In addition, derby rivals {{wp|Manchester City}}, whose new owner {{wp|Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Mansour}} once reportedly thought of acquiring the {{wp|Manchester United}} forward's services in what was then considered a "direct sabotage" of their biggest rivals, was also briefly considered until Smith himself promptly refuted such rumours, stating, ''"I'll be leaving {{wp|Manchester United}} soon but never for its very own rivals in my entire life"''. Eventually, in a move that sparked much surprise from many observers, it was announced by the {{wp|Spanish}} newspaper {{wp|Marca (newspaper)|''Marca''}} that {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} had acquired Smith for a world-record transfer fee of £82.5 million (€96 million), an amount that slightly surpassed that of the previous world-record fee of £80 million paid by {{wp|Real Madrid}} for {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} the previous year, in a lucrative contract that would see him remain with the club for a total of five years with the option of an additional year while also including a €1 billion buy-out clause in a deliberate attempt to ward off encroaching competitors especially city rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}} who were similarly interested in acquiring Smith's services for themselves.  


Following the end of the 2009-10 season, after it was reported by the {{wp|BBC}} that Smith did not wish to renew his six-year contract with {{wp|Manchester United}}, rumours quickly arose regarding his next destination with several of {{wp|Europe}}'s biggest clubs including {{wp|Real Madrid}}, {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, {{wp|FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich}}, and {{wp|Juventus FC|Juventus}} being touted as his next club. In addition, derby rivals {{wp|Manchester City}}, whose new owner {{wp|Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Mansour}} once reportedly thought of acquiring the {{wp|Manchester United}} forward's services in what was then considered a "direct sabotage" of their biggest rivals, was also briefly considered until Smith himself promptly refuted such rumours, stating, ''"I'll be leaving {{wp|Manchester United}} soon but never for its own rivals in my entire life"''. Eventually, in a move that sparked much surprise from many observers, it was announced by the {{wp|Spanish}} newspaper {{wp|Marca (newspaper)|''Marca''}} that {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} had acquired Smith for a world-record transfer fee of £82.5 million (€96 million), an amount that slightly surpassed that of the previous world-record fee of £80 million paid by {{wp|Real Madrid}} for {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} the previous year, in a lucrative contract that would see him remain with the club for a total of five years with the option of an additional year while also including a €1 billion buy-out clause in a deliberate attempt to ward off encroaching competitors especially city rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}} who were similarly interested in acquiring Smith's services for themselves. During his ensuing presentation ceremony to club supporters at the {{wp|Vicente Calderón Stadium}}, Smith subsequently spoke of a "bittersweet feeling" of leaving his much-beloved club of {{wp|Manchester United}}, who he had dreamt playing for since childhood, while adding that {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s "underdog" status as opposed to the traditionally dominant {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} ultimately lured him to the club in the pursuit of new challenges abroad. In his closing statement to supporters, Smith remarked, ''"Around a decade ago, I wanted to and successfully proved to everyone that out of all countries the {{wp|United States}} could win the {{wp|World Cup}}. Now, for the next few years that I'm here, I'm going to prove to everyone that {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} can win the league just as much or even more than the times that {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} have done in the past as well as the ever prestigious {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}"''. Later, during a 2017 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, when asked behind his rationale in choosing {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} over {{wp|Real Madrid}}, he remarked, ''"If I wanted money I would go to {{wp|Real Madrid}} but if I wanted glory then I'll go to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}"''.  
During his ensuing presentation ceremony to club supporters at the {{wp|Vicente Calderón Stadium}}, Smith spoke of a "bittersweet feeling" of leaving his much-beloved {{wp|Manchester United}} which he had long dreamt of playing for since childhood. However, pointing to his new club's "underdog" status, Smith explained that his decision to join {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} was to "face a new challenge for myself", adding, ''"When people talk about {{wp|La Liga}}, they always say that {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} are the strongest clubs around and the only ones who can win the {{wp|UEFA Champions League|Champions League}}. Now, just as I did before with the {{wp|United States}} at the {{wp|FIFA World Cup|World Cup}}, I'm going to prove those same people wrong and show that {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} is just as strong or even stronger than both clubs and could absolutely win the {{wp|UEFA Champions League|Champions League}} as well"''. Meanwhile, in his best-selling autobiography, Smith later wrote of a "difficult conundrum" that he faced prior to leaving {{wp|Manchester United}}, stating, ''"Without a doubt, I always wanted to play for {{wp|Manchester United}} ever since I could walk but as excited and thrilled as I was scoring goals while wearing the red jersey, at some point, the game itself just felt a bit too easy for me when all we could seemingly do was just win titles left and right with almost no one apparently able to stop us. At that point, I stopped myself and asked whether I wanted to be a long-lasting servant of the club who could just win anything with just one goal or someone who was always challenged by equally strong opponents of the highest levels of the game who could be challenging me to be better than I previously was each time. In the end, I chose the latter"''.


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At the time of his departure, Smith's total goal tally of 463 across all competitions established him as the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Manchester United}} while his 217 goals scored in the {{wp|Premier League}} initially made him the second-highest all-time goalscorer behind {{wp|Alan Shearer}} with 260 goals before {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s {{wp|Harry Kane}} surpassed him to become second-highest himself with 221 goals which he ironically did so while Smith himself was head coach of {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. Meanwhile, until 2023, Smith formerly held the record for the most goals scored in a {{wp|Premier League}} season with 39 goals until {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}'s [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Richard]] surpassed it with 45 goals in the 2022-23 season during which {{wp|Manchester City}}'s {{wp|Erling Haaland}} also came close to breaking his record with 36 goals scored in that same season. Regardless, among fans of {{wp|Manchester United}}, Smith remains a hugely popular figure and is popularly nicknamed "The Red Prince" in reference to his royal lineage and the traditional red colour of {{wp|Manchester United}}.
By the time of his departure, Smith's total goal tally of 471 across all competitions established him as the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Manchester United}} while his 225 goals scored in the {{wp|Premier League}} currently makes him the second-highest all-time goalscorer behind {{wp|Alan Shearer}} with 260 goals with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s {{wp|Harry Kane}} almost coming close to surpass him with 221 goals. Meanwhile, until 2023, Smith formerly held the record for the most goals scored in a {{wp|Premier League}} season with 41 goals until {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}'s [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Richard]] surpassed it with 45 goals in the 2022-23 season. Since then, Smith has remained a hugely popular and highly celebrated figure among {{wp|Manchester United}} supporters who famously nicknamed him "The Red Prince" due to his royal lineage and the club's traditional red colours. Moreover, together with {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} and {{wp|Eric Cantona}}, Smith is considered to be one of {{wp|Manchester United}}'s greatest forwards of the {{wp|Premier League}} era and, among some supporters, is even considered to be the successor to the late {{wp|Bobby Charlton}}. As of current, Smith is the only {{wp|American}} player to have won the {{wp|Premier League}} and only one of two {{wp|Americans}} to have won the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} alongside {{wp|Jovan Kirovski}}.


===Atlético Madrid===
Following the end of the 2022-23 season, the departures of goalkeeper {{wp|David de Gea}} and defender {{wp|Phil Jones (footballer, born 1992)|Phil Jones}}, the last few players remaining from the {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Ferguson}} era, left {{wp|Manchester United}} without a {{wp|Premier League}} winner for the first time in three decades. However, after almost eight years away, the {{wp|Manchester United|club}} later re-signed academy graduate {{wp|Jonny Evans}}, who was part of the historic 2008-09 {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}-winning squad, making the {{wp|Northern Ireland}} defender the only player at {{wp|Manchester United}} so far to have won both the {{wp|Premier League}} and the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, titles which {{wp|Manchester United}} last won in the 2012-13 and 2009-10 seasons respectively.
 
===Atlético Madrid (2010 - 2019)===
====Debut season & Europa League triumph====
====Debut season & Europa League triumph====
On August 30th, Smith made his {{wp|La Liga}} debut in a home match against {{wp|Sporting Gijón}} in which Smith, despite not scoring a goal himself, played an active role in the club's dominant 4-0 win over their opponents. Nonetheless, in the following match against {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} on September 11th, Smith soon made his mark at the club by scoring a hat-trick in the 76th minute, allowing {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to easily defeat their opponents 5-1. However, throughout the next few matches or so, Smith experienced a temporary goal draught that saw the club lose to both {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} and {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} while otherwise drawing with {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} although this soon came to an end when Smith subsequently scored just his second hat-trick for the club in a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} who initially led 2-0 by the 52nd minute before a subsequent hat-trick from Smith in the 58th minute turned the match upside down in {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s favour. Then, a third hat-trick followed in a November 13th fixture against {{wp|CA Osasuna|Osasuna}} along with his first brace for the club just a week later against {{wp|Real Sociedad}}, the latter which he wasted no time in following up on by scoring a fourth hat-trick in a dramatic 5-3 win over {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}}. A fifth hat-trick followed in a 3-0 win over {{wp|Racing Santander}} although this itself was followed by a heavy 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Hércules CF|Hércules}} and an ensuing 4-0 win over {{wp|RCD Mallorca|Mallorca}}. Following this, amidst a string of poor performances which saw the club lose once again to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} by 3-0 via a {{wp|Lionel Messi}} hat-trick, Smith nonetheless proved vital in scoring a decisive 47th-minute goal that helped them draw 2-2 against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}}. Then, after scoring two consecutive hat-tricks that allowed {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to defeat {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} and {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} 5-2 and 4-1 respectively, Smith soon scored his first goal against {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} in a 2-2 draw on March 29th, which he followed up with a tiebreaking brace in the 69th minute against {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}}, who the club ultimately defeated 4-2 thanks to a separate brace from {{wp|Sergio Agüero}} in the 61st minute. In the end, Smith would cap off his first season with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} through yet another hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Deportivo La Coruña}}, a brace in a 2-3 loss to {{wp|Málaga CF|Málaga}}, and his final brace of the season in a 6-3 win over {{wp|RCD Mallorca|Mallorca}} on the final day at which point he finished as the club's leading goalscorer with 34 goals in 36 appearances, the second-highest behind {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} and ahead of {{wp|Lionel Messi}}. In the meantime, with a total of 74 points, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} also qualified for the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} group stage alongside giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}.
On August 30th, Smith made his {{wp|La Liga}} debut in a home match against {{wp|Sporting Gijón}} in which Smith, despite not scoring a goal himself, played an active role in the club's dominant 4-0 win over their opponents. Nonetheless, in the following match against {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} on September 11th, Smith soon made his mark at the club by scoring a hat-trick in the 76th minute, allowing {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to easily defeat their opponents 5-1. However, throughout the next few matches or so, Smith experienced a temporary goal draught that saw the club lose to both {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} and {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} while otherwise drawing with {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} although this soon came to an end when Smith subsequently scored just his second hat-trick for the club in a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} who initially led 2-0 by the 52nd minute before a subsequent hat-trick from Smith in the 58th minute turned the match upside down in {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s favour. Then, a third hat-trick followed in a November 13th fixture against {{wp|CA Osasuna|Osasuna}} along with his first brace for the club just a week later against {{wp|Real Sociedad}}, the latter which he wasted no time in following up on by scoring a fourth hat-trick in a dramatic 5-3 win over {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}}. A fifth hat-trick followed in a 3-0 win over {{wp|Racing Santander}} although this itself was followed by a heavy 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Hércules CF|Hércules}} and an ensuing 4-0 win over {{wp|RCD Mallorca|Mallorca}}. Following this, amidst a string of poor performances which saw the club lose once again to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} by 3-0 via a {{wp|Lionel Messi}} hat-trick, Smith nonetheless proved vital in scoring a decisive 47th-minute goal that helped them draw 2-2 against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}}. Then, after scoring two consecutive hat-tricks that allowed {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to defeat {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} and {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} 5-2 and 4-1 respectively, Smith soon scored his first goal against {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} in a 2-2 draw on March 29th, which he followed up with a tiebreaking brace in the 69th minute against {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}}, who the club ultimately defeated 4-2 thanks to a separate brace from {{wp|Sergio Agüero}} in the 61st minute. In the end, Smith would cap off his first season with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} through yet another hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Deportivo La Coruña}}, a brace in a 2-3 loss to {{wp|Málaga CF|Málaga}}, and his final brace of the season in a 6-3 win over {{wp|RCD Mallorca|Mallorca}} on the final day at which point he finished as the club's leading goalscorer with 34 goals in 36 appearances, the second-highest behind {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} and ahead of {{wp|Lionel Messi}}. In the meantime, with a total of 74 points, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} also qualified for the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} group stage alongside giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}.


[[File:Aviva Stadium(Dublin Arena).JPG|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Aviva Stadium}} in {{wp|Dublin}}, {{wp|Republic of Ireland|Ireland}}, which hosted the {{wp|2011 Europa League Final}} between {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Porto|Porto}}]]
[[File:Aviva Stadium(Dublin Arena).JPG|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Aviva Stadium}} in {{wp|Dublin}}, {{wp|Republic of Ireland|Ireland}}, which hosted the {{wp|2011 Europa League Final}} between {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Porto|Porto}}]]
Separately, on December 22nd, Smith also made his {{wp|Copa del Rey}} debut in a much similar fashion, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg of the round of 32 to mark a final 9-1 win on aggregate against {{wp|Universidad de Las Palmas CF|Universidad de Las Palmas}} although he did not otherwise score any further with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} subsequently losing 4-1 on aggregate to {{wp|Real Madrid}}. Meanwhile, on September 16th, Smith scored his first two goals in the {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} in a 3-1 win over {{wp|Greek}} side {{wp|Aris Thessaloniki F.C.|Aris}}, which he soon followed up with another brace in a 3-1 win over {{wp|Bayer Leverkusen}}, followed by one goal in a 3-1 win over {{wp|Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg}} and another single goal in a 3-3 draw against {{wp|Aris Thessaloniki F.C.|Aris}}. Then, following a narrow 6-5 win on aggregate against {{wp|FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv}}, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, courtesy of a hat-trick from Smith in both legs of the round of 16, marked a dominant 11-3 victory over {{wp|Manchester City}}, followed by 6-3 and 6-2 demolitions of {{wp|Portuguese}} sides {{wp|S.C. Braga|Braga}} and {{wp|Benfica}}, and eventually culminating in a 4-0 win over another {{wp|Portuguese}} side {{wp|FC Porto|Porto}} in the finals to win their second {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} title in a row after their first one that was achieved by a 2-1 win over {{wp|English}} side {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}}, thereby qualifying them once again for the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} in which {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} narrowly defeated {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 3-2 to follow up on their previous 1-0 win over Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} in the previous edition.
Separately, on December 22nd, Smith also made his {{wp|Copa del Rey}} debut in a much similar fashion, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg of the round of 32 to mark a final 9-1 win on aggregate against {{wp|Universidad de Las Palmas CF|Universidad de Las Palmas}} although he did not otherwise score any further with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} subsequently losing 4-1 on aggregate to {{wp|Real Madrid}}. Meanwhile, on September 16th, Smith scored his first two goals in the {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} in a 3-1 win over {{wp|Greek}} side {{wp|Aris Thessaloniki F.C.|Aris}}, which he soon followed up with another brace in a 3-1 win over {{wp|Bayer Leverkusen}}, followed by one goal in a 3-1 win over {{wp|Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg}} and another single goal in a 3-3 draw against {{wp|Aris Thessaloniki F.C.|Aris}}. Then, following a narrow 6-5 win on aggregate against {{wp|FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv}}, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, courtesy of a hat-trick from Smith in both legs of the round of 16, marked a dominant 11-3 victory over {{wp|Manchester City}} before proceeding to demolish {{wp|Portuguese}} sides {{wp|S.C. Braga|Braga}} and {{wp|Benfica}} 6-3 and 6-2 respectively as well as another {{wp|Portuguese}} side {{wp|FC Porto|Porto}} 4-0 in the finals to win their second {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} title in a row after their first one that was achieved by a 2-1 win over {{wp|English}} side {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}}, thereby qualifying them once again for the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} in which {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} narrowly defeated {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 3-2 to follow up on their previous 1-0 win over Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} in the previous edition.


====Diego Simeone Era====
====Diego Simeone Era====
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In his second season with the club, Smith began rather promisingly, scoring an important tiebreaking goal in the opening match against {{wp|CA Osasuna|Osasuna}} and a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over {{wp|Racing Santander}} although this was soon met by a heavy 0-5 loss to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}. Nonetheless, in the next two matches against {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} and {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} respectively, Smith proved to be a vital player, scoring one goal on both occasions to break the 0-0 deadlock each time and later a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}} that followed a previous 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in which at least five {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} players were booked while two, including goalkeeper {{wp|Thibaut Courtois}}, were sent off. Then, on January 7th, his first match under newly-appointed manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith scored a memorable brace to mark a 2-0 win over {{wp|Malaga CF|Malaga}} following a previous poor run of form before going on to score at least two further consecutive braces against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} and {{wp|Real Sociedad}} respectively and later a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|CA Osasuna}}. Soon enough, in what was seen by many as a "return" to his full potential under the new management of the tactically sound {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith scored at least two further goals to break deadlocks against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|Sporting Gijón}} respectively before soon following it up with a brace in a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, his first since arriving in {{wp|La Liga}}. Following this, two consecutive hat-tricks were also produced in wins against {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} and {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} respectively, followed by a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over {{wp|RCD Mallorca|Mallorca}} and a brace in a narrow 3-4 loss to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in which a late 88th-minute goal from {{wp|José Callejón}} which followed a {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} hat-trick beforehand saw the latter narrowly edge over their opponent. Nonetheless, a hat-trick in the final match against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}}, who consequently lost 0-4 to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, saw Smith rack up a total of 40 goals in 34 appearances, breaking his own personal record of 39 goals for {{wp|Manchester United}} in the {{wp|Premier League}} although this itself was far surpassed by {{wp|Lionel Messi}}'s 50 goals that season. In the meantime, despite a brace from Smith in the second leg, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} were otherwise eliminated from the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} following a 3-4 loss on penalties to {{wp|Albacete Balompié|Albacete}} although they otherwise made much progress in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, topping their group and advancing all the way to the finals where they later defeated {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} 2-0 to win their first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title during which they notably overcame rivals {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 4-2 on penalties following a 4-4 draw in the round of 16 which preceded a narrow 4-3 win in the quarter-finals against {{wp|AC Milan}} and a dramatic 5-3 win over {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} in the semi-finals. Following up on this, the club then defeated fellow {{wp|Spanish}} side {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} 5-2 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} via an 83rd-minute hat-trick from Smith and later {{wp|Brazilian}} club {{wp|Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians}} 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, also a first for the club.
In his second season with the club, Smith began rather promisingly, scoring an important tiebreaking goal in the opening match against {{wp|CA Osasuna|Osasuna}} and a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over {{wp|Racing Santander}} although this was soon met by a heavy 0-5 loss to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}. Nonetheless, in the next two matches against {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} and {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} respectively, Smith proved to be a vital player, scoring one goal on both occasions to break the 0-0 deadlock each time and later a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}} that followed a previous 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in which at least five {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} players were booked while two, including goalkeeper {{wp|Thibaut Courtois}}, were sent off. Then, on January 7th, his first match under newly-appointed manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith scored a memorable brace to mark a 2-0 win over {{wp|Malaga CF|Malaga}} following a previous poor run of form before going on to score at least two further consecutive braces against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} and {{wp|Real Sociedad}} respectively and later a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|CA Osasuna}}. Soon enough, in what was seen by many as a "return" to his full potential under the new management of the tactically sound {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith scored at least two further goals to break deadlocks against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|Sporting Gijón}} respectively before soon following it up with a brace in a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, his first since arriving in {{wp|La Liga}}. Following this, two consecutive hat-tricks were also produced in wins against {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} and {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} respectively, followed by a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over {{wp|RCD Mallorca|Mallorca}} and a brace in a narrow 3-4 loss to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in which a late 88th-minute goal from {{wp|José Callejón}} which followed a {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} hat-trick beforehand saw the latter narrowly edge over their opponent. Nonetheless, a hat-trick in the final match against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}}, who consequently lost 0-4 to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, saw Smith rack up a total of 40 goals in 34 appearances, breaking his own personal record of 39 goals for {{wp|Manchester United}} in the {{wp|Premier League}}. Meanwhile, despite a brace from Smith in the second leg, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} were otherwise eliminated from the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} following a 3-4 loss on penalties to {{wp|Albacete Balompié|Albacete}}. However, they did make much progress in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, topping their group and advancing all the way to the finals where they later defeated {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} 2-0 to win their first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title but not before also overcoming their rivals {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 4-2 on penalties following a 4-4 draw in the round of 16 which preceded a narrow 4-3 win in the quarter-finals against {{wp|AC Milan}} and a dramatic 5-3 win over {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} in the semi-finals. Following up on this, the club then defeated fellow {{wp|Spanish}} side {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} 5-2 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} via an 83rd-minute hat-trick from Smith and later {{wp|Brazilian}} club {{wp|Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians}} 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, also a first for the club.
 
For the 2012-13 season, his first full season under {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith started off rather promisingly, scoring a hat-trick in a 7-3 win over {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}} along with a goal in a dominant 5-2 win over {{wp|Real Betis}}. Soon enough, despite subsequent losses to {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|Real Madrid}}, Smith himself enjoyed a consistent goalscoring form with 16 goals in 15 appearances that led to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} briefly enjoying a streak of nine unbeaten games. Then, following yet another impressive performance in a narrow 3-4 loss to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} on December 16th, Smith soon scored his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Celta Vigo}}, followed by another one in a 3-3 draw against {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}}, and a third one which crucially helped them defeat {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}} 4-2. Then, Smith also provided decisive tiebreaking goals against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} to initially make it five games unbeaten and later six games unbeaten when a hat-trick from the former in an April 27th fixture saw him defeat {{wp|Real Madrid}} 4-2 for the first time since arriving in the top {{wp|Spanish}} football league at which point by season's end Smith had scored a total of 40 goals for the second consecutive time, making him once again the second-highest goalscorer that season behind {{wp|Lionel Messi}} whilst {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} finished second with 86 points behind {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, their best finish in two decades since they last won the league in the 1995-96 season. Meanwhile, Smith also proved to be a much valuable component in the club's {{wp|Copa del Rey}} victory that season, during which he scored a hat-trick in the second leg of the round of 16 to defeat {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} 6-0 on aggregate while also contributing one goal of his own in the finals where they defeated {{wp|Real Madrid}} 3-1. Similarly, a 3-2 win over {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}} saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} win just their second {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in a row during which a hat-trick from Smith in both legs saw them defeat {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 10-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals while rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}} were otherwise eliminated in the semi-finals by a 3-4 loss on aggregate to runners-up {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}}. Then, a hat-trick from Smith saw them defeat {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} which they duly followed up on by defeating {{wp|Moroccan}} club {{wp|Raja CA|Raja Casablanca}} 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Moreover, having won the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}, the club also faced {{wp|La Liga}} champions {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the {{wp|Supercopa de España}} where they narrowly defeated their opponent 3-1 courtesy of a tiebreaking brace from Smith in the second leg that broke the 1-1 deadlock in the first leg.
 
====Sextuple Success====
For the 2013-14 season, Smith once again made a generally promising start, scoring two consecutive braces against {{wp|Real Sociedad}} and {{wp|UD Almería|Almería}} respectively, a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}} and a single goal in a 1-1 draw with {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}} which saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} go ten matches unbeaten, their best start in decades, and which only extended further to twenty-three games in total during which he scored a further two hat-tricks in the process. Then, despite a 0-2 loss to {{wp|UD Almería|Almería}}, the club proved quick to re-establish their unbeaten streak with a hat-trick from Smith in a 3-3 draw against {{wp|CA Osasuna|Osasuna}} proving vital in maintaining the aforementioned streak. Moreover, another hat-trick from Smith soon afterward also saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeat {{wp|Real Madrid}} 5-2 and later {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 4-1 on the final day of the season which they eventually came to win to mark their first {{wp|La Liga}} title in almost two decades. In spite of this, hopes for a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} were quickly quashed following a 1-5 defeat to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the semi-finals of the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}. On the other hand, following a hat-trick from Smith that saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} mark a dominant 5-1 win over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the quarter-finals, the club otherwise avenged their initial defeat by triumphing over {{wp|Real Madrid}} in a narrow 2-1 win in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} final to mark the third consecutive {{wp|European}} title for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} who later defeated {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 5-4 on penalties in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and also {{wp|CASLA|San Lorenzo}} 4-2 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, the latter in which Smith himself scored a hat-trick on both occasions to also mark a dominant 7-2 victory over {{wp|Mexican}} side {{wp|Cruz Azul}}. To top it off, the club also won the ensuing {{wp|Supercopa de España}} match, defeating {{wp|Real Madrid}} 4-1 on aggregate.


For the 2012-13 season, his first full season under {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, Smith started off rather promisingly, scoring a hat-trick in a 7-3 win over {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}} along with a goal in a dominant 5-2 win over {{wp|Real Betis}}. Soon enough, despite subsequent losses to {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|Real Madrid}}, Smith himself enjoyed a consistent goalscoring form with 16 goals in 15 appearances that led to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} briefly enjoying a streak of nine unbeaten games. Then, following yet another impressive performance in a narrow 3-4 loss to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} on December 16th, Smith soon scored his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Celta Vigo}}, followed by another one in a 3-3 draw against {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}}, and a third one which crucially helped them defeat {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}} 4-2. Then, Smith also provided decisive tiebreaking goals against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} to initially make it five games unbeaten and later six games unbeaten when a hat-trick from the former in an April 27th fixture saw him defeat {{wp|Real Madrid}} 4-2 for the first time since arriving in the top {{wp|Spanish}} football league at which point by season's end Smith had scored a total of 40 goals for the second consecutive time, making him once again the second-highest goalscorer that season behind {{wp|Lionel Messi}} whilst {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} finished second with 86 points behind {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, their best finish in two decades since they last won the league in the 1995-96 season. In the meantime, Smith also proved to be a much valuable component in the club's {{wp|Copa del Rey}} victory that season, during which he scored a hat-trick in the second leg of the round of 16 to defeat {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} 6-0 on aggregate while also contributing one goal of his own in the finals where they defeated {{wp|Real Madrid}} 3-1. Similarly, a 3-2 win over {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}} saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} win just their second {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in a row during which a hat-trick from Smith in both legs saw them defeat {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 10-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals while rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}} were otherwise eliminated in the semi-finals by a 3-4 loss on aggregate to runners-up {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}}. Then, a hat-trick from Smith saw them defeat {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} which they duly followed up on by defeating {{wp|Moroccan}} club {{wp|Raja CA|Raja Casablanca}} 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Moreover, having won the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}, the club also faced {{wp|La Liga}} champions {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the {{wp|Supercopa de España}} where they narrowly defeated their opponent 3-1 courtesy of a tiebreaking brace from Smith in the second leg that broke the 1-1 deadlock in the first leg.
In the following season, Smith started rather brilliantly early on, scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}}, over whom they subsequently won 3-0. However, despite a second hat-trick from Smith on September 27th which saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeat {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 7-0, the club otherwise met their first defeat in the following match against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} to whom they narrowly lost 2-3. Regardless, another hat-trick and a brace from Smith saw them quickly rebound to especially deal a heavy 4-0 defeat to {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} while also drawing 2-2 with {{wp|Real Sociedad}} in the process. Then, Smith himself went on to deliver two consecutive hat-tricks that saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeat {{wp|Deportivo La Coruña}} and {{wp|Elche CF|Elche}} 5-0 each while a lone goal from the former also help them to draw 1-1 against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}}. Moreover, a hat-trick from Smith on January 11th also saw them overcome rivals {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} once again in a narrow 4-3 win which Smith quickly capitalised upon by providing a second consecutive hat-trick in a following 5-0 win over {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} before later following it up with yet another hat-trick in a 7-0 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}} on February 7th. Following this, Smith would eventually cap off an ultimately successful season once more with a hat-trick in the penultimate match against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} and another one in the final match of the season against {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}}, who {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeated 3-1 and 3-0 respectively to ultimately win the {{wp|La Liga}} for an unprecedented second season in a row during which he also achieved a new personal record of 48 goals in 36 appearances which saw him share the {{wp|Pichichi Trophy}} as the season's top goalscorer alongside {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}, having also won it the season before over the {{wp|Portuguese}}. In the meantime, with their second consecutive league title win, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} became the first {{wp|Spanish}} club in almost three decades that is neither {{wp|Real Madrid}} nor {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} to win the {{wp|La Liga}} two seasons in a row since {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} last won the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons in a row themselves. On the other hand, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} later found themselves eliminated in the quarter-finals of the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} via a narrow 3-4 loss on aggregate to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} although they soon earned their revenge in a 5-2 win against the latter in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} to claim a record-breaking fourth {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in a row, making them just one of two clubs alongside {{wp|Real Madrid}} to have won it more than three consecutive times. Then, as per tradition, the club subsequently defeated {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 1-0 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and later {{wp|Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate}} 5-2 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} in which Smith scored a brace in the process. Moreover, the club also defeated {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 3-1 in the ensuing {{wp|Supercopa de España}} with Smith himself scoring three goals in total to override their opponents' lone goal through {{wp|Lionel Messi}}.
 
[[File:Scudo2009.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|San Siro}} in {{wp|Milan}}, {{wp|Italy}}, which hosted the {{wp|2017 UEFA Champions League Final}} between {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} and {{wp|Real Madrid}}, with the former subsequently winning the match 4-1 and later going on to achieve a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} in a first for a {{wp|Spanish}} side and the second in {{wp|European}} history after {{wp|Manchester United}}]]
In the following season, despite not scoring in the first two matches, Smith proved quick to return to his goalscoring form by scoring a memorable brace in the third fixture of the season against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} on September 12th who {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeated 3-1 to mark another rare victory over the {{wp|La Liga}} giants. Then, after scoring yet another brace that overturned an initial 1-0 defeat into a dramatic 2-1 win for the club over {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}}, Smith soon scored his first hat-trick of the season in a November 8th fixture against {{wp|Sporting Gijón}} that ended in a 4-0 win, which he followed up on with another brace in a 3-0 win over {{wp|Levante UD|Levante}}, a lone equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with {{wp|Málaga CF|Málaga}}, and a second hat-trick in a dominant 6-0 win over {{wp|UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas}}. Following this, Smith then further provided a lone equalising goal in a 2-2 draw against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} on January 30th, followed by a third hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} and a brace that broke the 0-0 deadlock in a February 21st fixture against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} that preceded a 1-0 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}} just six days later. Eventually, a hat-trick, followed by a separate brace from Smith saw the club notably become the third {{wp|Spanish}} side in history to win a season undefeated as they were soon crowned {{wp|La Liga}} champions for a record-breaking third consecutive time while also setting the record for the most points accumulated in a {{wp|La Liga}} season with a grand total of 106 points during which the club won thirty-four matches while only drawing four and sustaining zero defeats in the process. In the meantime, the club also won the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} that season, defeating {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 4-1 in the finals courtesy of a brace from Smith who also scored a consequential goal in the quarter-finals that resulted in a subsequent 5-3 win on penalties over {{wp|RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo}} which preceded a 4-2 win on penalties in the semi-finals over {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}}. Moreover, in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, a 5-0 demolition of {{wp|PSV Eindhoven}} in the quarter-finals, followed by 3-2 and 4-2 wins over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} and {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, soon culminated in a 4-1 win over rivals and {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} where Smith, in what was initially his final appearance for the club, scored a decisive 51th-minute hat-trick to deliver a record-breaking fifth consecutive {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, a feat it shares with {{wp|Real Madrid}}, while also notably becoming the first {{wp|Spanish}} side to achieve a domestic treble. In this, despite an initial plan to retire at that exact moment, after he was reportedly spurred by the likely possibility of the club achieving a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}, Smith opted to renew his contract with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} for a further three years with the new concrete aim of retiring and celebrating his impending fortieth birthday with his {{wp|La Liga}} teammates and head coach {{wp|Diego Simeone}}. To that end, Smith went on to score a hat-trick to demolish {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 6-0 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and also {{wp|Kashima Antlers}} 6-0 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}. Likewise, three goals from Smith also saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} comfortably defeat {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 6-2 to win the {{wp|Supercopa de España}}, thereby officially making the club only the second {{wp|European}} side after {{wp|Manchester United}} and the first {{wp|Spanish}} side in history to achieve a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}, a feat that neither {{wp|Real Madrid}} nor {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} was able to achieve during their respective heydays.


====Final Years====
====Final Years====
For the 2013-14 season, Smith once again made a generally promising start, scoring two consecutive braces against {{wp|Real Sociedad}} and {{wp|UD Almería|Almería}} respectively, a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}} and a single goal in a 1-1 draw with {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}} which saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} go ten matches unbeaten, their best start in decades, and which only extended further to twenty-three games in total during which he scored a further two hat-tricks in the process. Then, despite a 0-2 loss to {{wp|UD Almería|Almería}}, the club proved quick to re-establish their unbeaten streak with a hat-trick from Smith in a 3-3 draw against {{wp|CA Osasuna|Osasuna}} proving vital in maintaining the aforementioned streak. Moreover, another hat-trick from Smith soon afterwards also saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeat {{wp|Real Madrid}} 5-2 and later {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 4-1 on the final day of the season which they eventually came to win to mark their first {{wp|La Liga}} title in almost two decades. Despite this, hopes for a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} were quickly quashed following a 1-5 defeat to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the semi-finals of the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}. On the other hand, following a hat-trick from Smith that saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} mark a dominant 5-1 win over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the quarter-finals, the club otherwise avenged their initial defeat by triumphing over {{wp|Real Madrid}} in a narrow 2-1 win in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} final to mark the third consecutive {{wp|European}} title for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} who later defeated {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 5-4 on penalties in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and also {{wp|CASLA|San Lorenzo}} 4-2 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, the latter in which Smith himself scored a hat-trick on both occasions to also mark a dominant 7-2 victory over {{wp|Mexican}} side {{wp|Cruz Azul}}. To top it off, the club also won the ensuing {{wp|Supercopa de España}} match, defeating {{wp|Real Madrid}} 4-1 on aggregate.
In his first season since renewing his contract with the club, Smith started off in an expectedly brilliant fashion, scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against {{wp|Deportivo Alavés|Alavés}} which they easily won 3-0. Following this, Smith also provided an additional goal in a 5-0 demolition of {{wp|RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo}} although he otherwise failed to break the 1-1 deadlock against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} afterward. Then, after contributing a couple of assists in a similarly huge 7-1 demolition of {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} on October 15th, just a week later, Smith proved to be his club's saviour by scoring twice in a narrow 2-1 win over {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}}. Following this, Smith went on to score a hat-trick in two consecutive matches, one of which proved crucial in defeating {{wp|Real Sociedad}} by a rather thin 3-2 margin, although his two subsequent goals proved insufficient to avoid a narrow 2-3 loss to {{wp|Real Madrid}} whose star player {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} scored a memorable hat-trick in the process. On 28 January 2017, in avenging a previous 2-2 draw against {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}}, Smith scored yet another hat-trick to defeat {{wp|Deportivo Alavés|Alavés}} by a similar 3-0 margin as he previously did. Regardless, a subsequent hat-trick in a 4-1 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}}, coupled with a tiebreaking goal on the penultimate day against {{wp|Real Betis|Betis}}, resulted in {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} for a record-breaking fourth season in a row albeit with only two points ahead of runners-up {{wp|Real Madrid}}. Meanwhile, in the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}, despite scoring thrice to mark a dominant 7-3 win over {{wp|UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas}} in the round of 16, Smith otherwise proved unsuccessful in leading {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to the finals courtesy of a narrow 2-3 loss on aggregate to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the semi-finals. Regardless, in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, a crucial pair of goals from Smith saw the club top their group unbeaten and ahead of {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in second place, something that he promptly capitalised upon with a hat-trick that saw them further defeat another {{wp|German}} side {{wp|Bayer Leverkusen}} 7-2 on aggregate in the round of 16. Then, after further helping to demolish surprise {{wp|English}} champions {{wp|Leicester City}} in the quarter-finals, in what was later described as one of the most dramatic pre-final confrontations in the tournament, Smith once again showed his importance to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} by scoring twice in the first leg, thereby mitigating the effects of a {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} hat-trick, and once in the second leg to dramatically defeat their arch rivals 5-4 on aggregate to progress to the finals for a record-breaking sixth consecutive time where a hat-trick from Smith in extra-time, aided by goals from {{wp|Kevin Gameiro}} and {{wp|Gabi (footballer, born 1983)|Gabi}}, saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} clinch their sixth consecutive {{wp|European}} title via a 5-1 win over {{wp|Serie A}} side {{wp|Juventus}}. In this, Smith himself both broke his own record of 22 goals scored in a {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} season and also set a new record of 29 goals while his eleven goals scored in the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} in that same season is also his new personal best. As per tradition, courtesy of being {{wp|European}} champions, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} subsequently faced the {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners which in this case was Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} which was now spearheaded at the front by {{wp|Romelu Lukaku}} and {{wp|Zlatan Ibrahimović}}. Eventually, the dramatic reunion, which is also the first and only time that Smith ever faced {{wp|Manchester United}} since his departure, ended in a 3-1 win for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} who later proceeded to defeat the {{wp|Emirati}} side {{wp|Al Jazira Club|Al Jazira}} and the {{wp|Brazilian}} club {{wp|Grêmio FBPA|Grêmio}}, with the latter especially succumbing to a 5-0 loss in which both {{wp|Kevin Gameiro}} and {{wp|Saúl Ñíguez}} scored twice to complete the 5-0 rout. Meanwhile, in a dramatic and tense affair that was particularly evident in the second leg, a brace from Smith saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} narrowly prevail and emerge victorious to defeat {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 7-5 in spite of a spirited second-half comeback by the latter who came close to equalising with their opponents and forcing the game into extra time.


In the following season, which would also be his penultimate season with the club, Smith started rather brilliantly early on, scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against {{wp|Rayo Vallecano}}, over whom they subsequently won 3-0. However, despite a second hat-trick from Smith on September 27th which saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeat {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 7-0, the club otherwise met their first defeat in the following match against {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} to whom they narrowly lost 2-3. Regardless, another hat-trick and a brace from Smith saw them quickly rebound to especially deal a heavy 4-0 defeat to {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} while also drawing 2-2 with {{wp|Real Sociedad}} in the process. Then, Smith himself went on to deliver two consecutive hat-tricks that saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeat {{wp|Deportivo La Coruña}} and {{wp|Elche CF|Elche}} 5-0 each while a lone goal from the former also help them to draw 1-1 against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}}. Moreover, a hat-trick from Smith on January 11th also saw them overcome rivals {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} once again in a narrow 4-3 win which Smith quickly capitalised upon by providing a second consecutive hat-trick in a following 5-0 win over {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}} before later following it up with yet another hat-trick in a 7-0 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}} on February 7th. Following this, Smith would eventually cap off an ultimately successful season once more with a hat-trick in the penultimate match against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} and another one in the final match of the season against {{wp|Granada CF|Granada}}, who {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeated 3-1 and 3-0 respectively to ultimately win the {{wp|La Liga}} for an unprecedented second season in a row during which he also achieved a new personal record of 48 goals in 36 appearances which saw him share the {{wp|Pichichi Trophy}} as the season's top goalscorer alongside {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}, having also won it the season before over the {{wp|Portuguese}}. In the meantime, with their second consecutive league title win, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} became the first {{wp|Spanish}} club in almost three decades that is neither {{wp|Real Madrid}} nor {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} to win the {{wp|La Liga}} two seasons in a row since {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} last won the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons in a row themselves. On the other hand, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} otherwise found itself eliminated in the quarter-finals of the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} via a narrow 3-4 loss on aggregate to {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} although they soon earned their revenge in a 5-2 win against the latter in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} to claim a record-breaking fourth {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in a row, making them just one of two clubs alongside {{wp|Real Madrid}} to have won it more than three consecutive times. Then, as per tradition, the club subsequently defeated {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 1-0 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and later {{wp|Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate}} 5-2 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} in which Smith scored a brace in the process. Moreover, the club also defeated {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 3-1 in the ensuing {{wp|Supercopa de España}} with Smith himself scoring three goals in total to override their opponents' lone goal through {{wp|Lionel Messi}}.
For his second post-renewal season, Smith once more made a positive start, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 8-1 win over {{wp|UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas}} following a 2-2 draw with {{wp|Girona FC|Girona}} on the opening match. Then, amidst failures to break the deadlock against clubs such as {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} and {{wp|CD Leganés|Leganés}}, Smith, having scored a brace in an otherwise convincing 4-0 win over {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} on September 23rd, proved his worth once again by scoring a hat-trick in an October 15th fixture against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} which they consequently won 4-1. Likewise, on November 18th, arch-rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}} were also defeated convincingly by a 2-0 scoreline, followed by {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} then convincingly defeating both {{wp|Levante UD|Levante}} and {{wp|Real Sociedad}} by five goals each. However, a shock 0-1 loss to {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}} on December 22nd brought an end to their unbeaten streak and briefly blunted their momentum before the club promptly rebounded with two consecutive 2-0 victories in which Smith himself scored once to mark a 2-0 win over {{wp|SD Eibar|Eibar}}. In this, Smith also scored a tiebreaking goal to mark a 2-1 win over {{wp|Girona FC|Girona}}, thereby avenging the previous stalemate. Afterward, Smith himself went on to display a consistent promising performance throughout, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over {{wp|UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas}}, one goal in a 2-0 win over {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}}, and most crucially, a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over rivals {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} who initially led early on via {{wp|Lionel Messi}} before {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} promptly replied through their own star forward. In the end, despite a slight decline in form throughout the closing matches of the season, by just one point ahead of runners-up {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} emerged victorious for the fifth season in a row. Meanwhile, in the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}, aside from scoring once in a dominant 8-0 win over {{wp|Lleida Esportiu}}, Smith also crucially contributed a hat-trick and an additional goal to narrowly defeat {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 6-5 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, a feat which he followed up on with an additional goal to complete an 8-0 rout of {{wp|CD Leganés|Leganés}}. Meanwhile, in the ensuing finals at {{wp|Metropolitano Stadium|Estadio de los Santos}}, despite taking the lead early on, {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} were ultimately defeated by {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} 3-7 in which Smith's hat-trick perfectly complemented goals from teammates {{wp|Antoine Griezmann}}, {{wp|Yannick Carrasco}}, and {{wp|Saúl Ñíguez}} who notably scored twice in the match to claim their first {{wp|Copa del Rey}} title after a two-year interruption. Meanwhile, after easily cruising past {{wp|Shakhtar Donetsk}} via a 7-1 win on aggregate, Smith and {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} were once again drawn against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the quarter-finals where in a dramatic turn of events they managed to overturn {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}'s initial 3-1 lead from the first leg into a stunning 8-3 comeback win on aggregate with where a brace from Smith was otherwise overshadowed by a hat-trick from club captain {{wp|Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke}}. Following this, a solo hat-trick from Smith saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} comfortably eliminate their {{wp|English}} opponents {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} in the semi-finals, thereby setting the stage for another clash with arch-rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}}. In this, a seemingly inevitable Smith hat-trick which complemented goals from teammates {{wp|Nicolás Gaitán}}, {{wp|Saúl Ñíguez}}, and {{wp|Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke}} saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} once again emerge victorious to claim their now seventh {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title. In this, the club then went on to defeat {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Olympique de Marseille}} and also the {{wp|Emirati}} club {{wp|Al Ain FC|Al Ain}} 4-1 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} respectively, thereby making the {{wp|Supercopa de España}} the only tournament left to win for a second historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}. For this purpose, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} were once again drawn against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} where a hat-trick from Smith resulted in a 3-3 draw, hence leading to a penalty shootout which they ultimately won 4-1, thereby officially confirming a second {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} for the club with head coach {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, in turn, becoming the only manager to achieve the feat twice and with the same club whereas Smith now holds three {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} achievements to his name, the single-most for any player.  


[[File:Scudo2009.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|San Siro}} in {{wp|Milan}}, {{wp|Italy}}, which hosted the {{wp|2017 UEFA Champions League Final}} between {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} and {{wp|Real Madrid}}, with the former subsequently winning the match 4-1 and later going on to achieve a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} in a first for a {{wp|Spanish}} side and the second in {{wp|European}} history after {{wp|Manchester United}}]]
For his final season with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, Smith kickstarted his final run with the club with a brace in a September fixture against {{wp|Celta Vigo}} which consequently ended in a 2-2 draw. Then, on September 15th, Smith scored his first hat-trick of the season to deliver a 4-1 win over {{wp|SD Eibar|Eibar}} which was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win over {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} a week later. However, after scoring yet another hat-trick against {{wp|SD Huesca|Huesca}}, Smith instead failed to break the deadlock against arch-rivals {{wp|Real Madrid}}, a shortcoming that he compensated for with a tiebreaking goal in a 2-1 win over {{wp|FC Barcelona}} on November 24th. Then, on December 8th, a third hat-trick from Smith completed a dominant 6-0 win over {{wp|Deportivo Alavés|Alavés}} and a similarly dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|RCD Espanyol|Espanyol}} which was also thanks to another of Smith's hat-tricks. Then, despite subsequent losses to {{wp|Real Betis}} and {{wp|Real Madrid}}, the club proved quick to find their winning ways once more with Smith personally contributing two goals to a 4-0 win over {{wp|Real Sociedad}}. On 16 March 2019, a Smith hat-trick allowed {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to mark a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|Athletic Bilbao}} although they were otherwise defeated by {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 2-0 in the following month, a setback that, as Smith scored his last couple of goals in a 4-2 win over {{wp|Levante UD|Levante}} on the final day, proved not enough to deny {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} their last and sixth consecutive {{wp|La Liga}} title under Smith. Meanwhile, in the {{wp|Copa del Rey}}, after scoring a valuable hat-trick to defeat {{wp|Girona FC|Girona}} 7-4 on aggregate in the round of 16, Smith also provided an additional but nonetheless crucial goal to see off {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the quarter-finals via a 4-2 win on aggregate, thereby drawing them once again with {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} where a hat-trick and two further goals from Smith resulted in {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}'s elimination via a 4-8 loss on aggregate, thereby clearing them to the finals where they narrowly defeated a defiant {{wp|Valencia CF|Valencia}} 3-2 with Smith's tiebreaking goal complementing earlier goals from {{wp|Antoine Griezmann}} and {{wp|Thomas Partey}}. Meanwhile, in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, Smith was unexpectedly reunited with his old rival {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} who now plays for the {{wp|Italian}} side {{wp|Juventus}}, having made a dramatic move from his longtime club {{wp|Real Madrid}}. In this, a hat-trick from Smith in the first leg proved sufficient to offset the consequences of a hat-trick in the second leg from {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo|Ronaldo}} himself whose club was therefore eliminated via a 3-5 loss on aggregate. Following this, the club then faced {{wp|Dutch}} heavyweights {{wp|AFC Ajax|Ajax}} whom Smith and his teammates worked well and swiftly to demolish by an impressive 13-0 on aggregate during which {{wp|Diego Costa}} secured a hat-trick of his own as did Smith as well. Consequently, the club then faced {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, a club that Smith would later manage himself, with the occasion gaining much coverage from the media who quickly framed it as a "battle" between two of {{wp|England}}'s captains, namely Smith himself and {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s {{wp|Harry Kane}}. In the end, a hat-trick from Smith, coupled with a brace from {{wp|José María Giménez|José Giménez}}, and a few other goals by {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} players saw the seven-time {{wp|European}} champions demolish their {{wp|English}} opponents by 8-1 on aggregate, thereby resulting in a final against {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} on {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s home ground, a circumstance that was well exploited by the players with Smith himself going on to score his final hat-trick and last few official goals for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} who, thanks to an additional penalty goal by {{wp|Diego Costa}}, successfully defeated {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} 4-1 to claim their eight consecutive {{wp|European}} title.  
In his final season with the club, despite not scoring in the first two matches, Smith proved quick to return to his goalscoring form by scoring a memorable brace in the third fixture of the season against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} on September 12th who {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeated 3-1 to mark another rare victory over the {{wp|La Liga}} giants. Then, after scoring yet another brace that overturned an initial 1-0 defeat into a dramatic 2-1 win for the club over {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}}, Smith soon scored his first hat-trick of the season in a November 8th fixture against {{wp|Sporting Gijón}} that ended in a 4-0 win, which he followed up on with another brace in a 3-0 win over {{wp|Levante UD|Levante}}, a lone equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with {{wp|Málaga CF|Málaga}}, and a second hat-trick in a dominant 6-0 win over {{wp|UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas}}. Following this, Smith then further provided a lone equalising goal in a 2-2 draw against {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} on January 30th, followed by a third hat-trick in a 4-0 win over {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} and a brace that broke the 0-0 deadlock in a February 21st fixture against {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} that preceded a 1-0 win over {{wp|Real Madrid}} just six days later. Eventually, a hat-trick, followed by a separate brace from Smith in his penultimate {{wp|La Liga}} appearance for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} which saw the club notably become the third {{wp|Spanish}} side in history to win a season undefeated as they were soon crowned {{wp|La Liga}} champions for a record-breaking third consecutive time while also setting the record for the most points accumulated in a {{wp|La Liga}} season with a grand total of 106 points during which the club won thirty-four matches while only drawing four and sustaining zero defeats in the process. In the meantime, the club also won the {{wp|Copa del Rey}} that season, defeating {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} 4-1 in the finals courtesy of a brace from Smith who also scored a consequential goal in the quarter-finals that resulted in a subsequent 5-3 win on penalties over {{wp|RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo}} which preceded a 4-2 win on penalties in the semi-finals over {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}}. Moreover, in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, a 5-0 demolition of {{wp|PSV Eindhoven}} in the quarter-finals, followed by 3-2 and 4-2 wins over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} and {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, soon culminated in a 4-1 win over rivals and {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} where Smith, in his final appearance for the club, scored a decisive 51th-minute hat-trick to deliver a record-breaking fifth consecutive {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, a feat it shares with {{wp|Real Madrid}}, while also notably becoming the first {{wp|Spanish}} side to achieve a domestic treble which the club later upgraded to a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} through a 3-0 win over {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, a 4-0 victory over {{wp|Kashima Antlers}} in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, and lastly, a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} in the {{wp|Supercopa de España}} where the club scored thrice in the second leg after initially being two goals down in the first leg to become the first {{wp|Spanish}} and just the second {{wp|European}} club after {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}}'s {{wp|Manchester United}} to achieve a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}. In the midst of this, despite having officially left the club after their record-breaking fifth consecutive {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} glory, Smith was later awarded a winner's medal by manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}} for the club's subsequent triumphs in his absence, thereby making him the only player to have officially achieved a {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} with two different clubs. Moreover, in a major personal milestone, his hat-trick against {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the {{wp|2016 UEFA Champions League Final}} marked Smith's official 400th goal for the club, becoming the only player to achieve such a feat in the club's history.


{{Quote box
{{Quote box
  |quote  = "Without a doubt, {{wp|Real Madrid}} can say they have {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} can say they have {{wp|Lionel Messi}}. In the end, we had William Smith, and judging by our successes and the {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}, we were the lucky ones and the others couldn't necessarily say the same"
  |quote  = "Without a doubt, {{wp|Real Madrid}} can say they have {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}} can say they have {{wp|Lionel Messi}}. In the end, we had William Smith, and judging by our successes and the multiple {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuples}}, we were the lucky ones and the others couldn't necessarily say the same"
  |author = {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} captain {{wp|Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke}} on Smith's impact at the club
  |author = {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} captain {{wp|Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke}} on Smith's impact at the club
  |source =  
  |source =  
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  |align  = right
  |align  = right
}}
}}
By the time he departed the club, having scored 241 goals in 208 appearances, Smith had officially become the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, surpassing the previous record of 172 goals by {{wp|Luis Aragonés}}, whom Smith subsequently paid a personal tribute to upon breaking the latter's goalscoring record, stating, ''"As great as I could have been in my five years at the club, there is surely no one better than the one and only {{wp|Luis Aragonés}}"''. In the meantime, his total goal tally also notably makes him {{wp|La Liga}}'s fourth-highest all-time goalscorer, becoming the only {{wp|English}} or {{wp|American}} player to be included in the top ten in a list mostly dominated by {{wp|Spanish}} players and led in the top two by {{wp|Lionel Messi}} and {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} respectively. Among club supporters, Smith is popularly known by the nickname of '''"''San Guillermo''"''' ("Saint William") as a tribute to his extraordinary successes with the club similar to how former longtime {{wp|Real Madrid}} goalkeeper {{wp|Iker Casillas}} is popularly known as '''"''San Iker''"''' ("Saint Iker") among the club's fans. Otherwise, among his teammates, Smith was often reportedly referred to by the nickname of '''"''El Capitán''"''' as a sign of endearment and respect especially from younger players.
By the time of his departure from the club, having scored 328 goals in 302 appearances, Smith had long officially become the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, surpassing the previous record of 172 goals by {{wp|Luis Aragonés}}, to whom Smith subsequently paid a personal tribute upon breaking the latter's goalscoring record, stating, ''"As great as I could have been in my five years at the club, there is surely no one better than the one and only {{wp|Luis Aragonés}}"''. In the meantime, his total goal tally also notably makes him {{wp|La Liga}}'s second-highest all-time goalscorer, becoming the only {{wp|English}} or {{wp|American}} player to be included in the top ten in a list mostly dominated by {{wp|Spanish}} players and led in the top three by Smith, {{wp|Lionel Messi}} and {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} respectively. Among club supporters, Smith is popularly known by the nickname of '''"''San Guillermo''"''' ("Saint William") as a tribute to his extraordinary successes with the club similar to how former longtime {{wp|Real Madrid}} goalkeeper {{wp|Iker Casillas}} is popularly known as '''"''San Iker''"''' ("Saint Iker") among the club's fans. In addition, some supporters have also nicknamed him '''"''Hijo del Atlético''"''' which translates to "Son of Atlético". Meanwhile, as a gesture of respect, Smith is at times informally addressed as "Generalissimo", an {{wp|Italian}} term used to denote a military rank even higher than a {{wp|field marshal}}, in line with Smith's well-known militaristic persona.
 
Later on, in his 2019 autobiography ''{{wp|Why I Kicked The Ball}}'', Smith revealed that just prior to his move to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, he was initially asked by {{wp|Manchester United}} chairman {{wp|Avram Glazer}} to agree to a world-record transfer fee to {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}} whose president {{wp|Florentino Pérez}} had reportedly submitted a lucrative and record-breaking fee in order to acquire the former's services at the club just a year after the club had also bought {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} from {{wp|Manchester United}} in a similar record-breaking transfer. However, having personally found himself attracted to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s "underdog" status while otherwise finding {{wp|Real Madrid}}'s dominant status in the {{wp|La Liga}} "terribly boring", Smith instead opted for the "underdog" club which subsequently signed him on a world-record transfer fee to much success in the years that followed. In the meantime, it was also revealed that fellow {{wp|England}} international {{wp|David Beckham}} also once attempted to convince Smith to return to {{wp|Major League Soccer}} side {{wp|LA Galaxy}} in a move that would have seen him reunite with his boyhood club while also joining the likes of {{wp|David Beckham|Beckham}} himself and former {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|USMNT}} teammates {{wp|Landon Donovan}} and {{wp|Gregg Berhalter}}. Ultimately, such a move never actually materialised with Smith later stating in his autobiography, ''"Without a doubt, the sentimental value behind it was truly undeniable and would have probably actually convinced me to return but at the same time I felt that my time in {{wp|European}} football isn't over yet and so, as sweet as it would have been for me to come back at that moment, I still had a lot of unfinished business and I intend to finish all that before I ever return"''.  However, despite apparent suggestions of him returning to his boyhood club of {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith officially retired from professional football outright after concluding a historically successful season with {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}. Nonetheless, on 22 & 26 November 2019, a two-legged exhibition match was held between {{wp|Los Angeles}}' two rival {{wp|Major League Soccer}} clubs {{wp|LA Galaxy}} and {{wp|Los Angeles FC}}. Attended by Smith himself along with various celebrities, the ultimately goalless two-legged occasion ended in a narrow 4-3 win on penalties for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} whose midfielder {{wp|Sebastian Lletget}} scored the winning penalty shortly after {{wp|Danilo Silva}}'s unsuccessful attempt in a contest that saw several unsuccessful penalty attempts including one from the celebrated {{wp|Swedish}} forward {{wp|Zlatan Ibrahimović}} early on.


==International Career==
==International Career==
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In 1999, two years into his career as a professional footballer for {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith, by virtue of his fast-rising popularity and talent, was called up for the {{wp|United States men's national under-20 soccer team|under-20 national team}}, with the national call-up proving vital in exposing Smith to his first-ever international tournament, namely the {{wp|1999 FIFA World Youth Championship}} in {{wp|Nigeria}}. It was later reported that the callup, at least initially, was opposed by Smith's mother, the actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, who was said to have been personally concerned for her son's wellbeing in such a foreign country at a relatively young age. Ultimately, repeated assurances that the twenty-year-old Smith's well-being would be well taken care of, coupled with Smith's own personal insistence on participating in the tournament, eventually gave way to the national team call-up.
In 1999, two years into his career as a professional footballer for {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith, by virtue of his fast-rising popularity and talent, was called up for the {{wp|United States men's national under-20 soccer team|under-20 national team}}, with the national call-up proving vital in exposing Smith to his first-ever international tournament, namely the {{wp|1999 FIFA World Youth Championship}} in {{wp|Nigeria}}. It was later reported that the callup, at least initially, was opposed by Smith's mother, the actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, who was said to have been personally concerned for her son's wellbeing in such a foreign country at a relatively young age. Ultimately, repeated assurances that the twenty-year-old Smith's well-being would be well taken care of, coupled with Smith's own personal insistence on participating in the tournament, eventually gave way to the national team call-up.


Soon enough, having been grouped with the likes of {{wp|England}}, {{wp|Japan}}, and {{wp|Cameroon}}, Smith quickly made his mark for the national team by scoring a brace in the first group stage match against {{wp|England}} although this was then followed by a 1-3 defeat to {{wp|Japan}}. However, in what would be a vital match towards securing qualification to the knockout stages, Smith went on to score his first hat-trick for the {{wp|United States}} against {{wp|Cameroon}} in a 6-0 win. Not long afterwards, a late 93rd-minute goal from Smith proved vital in avoiding a narrow 2-3 defeat to {{wp|Spain}} in the round of 16 following which the {{wp|United States}} proceeded to defeat the {{wp|Spaniards}} 4-1 on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals. Then, after scoring two goals to complete a narrow 3-2 victory over hosts {{wp|Nigeria}} in the quarter-finals, Smith scored his second hat-trick for the {{wp|United States}} to complete a dominant 6-0 win over {{wp|Mali}} in the ensuing semi-finals, thereby allowing them to progress to the finals where they faced {{wp|Japan}}. In this, after a relatively long period which saw both the {{wp|United States}} and {{wp|Japan}} unsuccessfully attempt to score against the other, at precisely the 76th minute, Smith, shortly after having dribbled past several {{wp|Japanese}} players, proceeded to unleash a powerful long-range shot from just outside of the penalty area, giving the {{wp|United States}} a vital breakthrough in the closing minutes of the game amidst subsequent unsuccessful attempts by {{wp|Japan}} to equalise the scoreline. Soon enough, having personally contributed to the {{wp|United States}}' first-ever {{wp|FIFA U-20 World Cup|FIFA World Youth Championship}} title with his tiebreaking goal in the finals, Smith's profile as a relatively unknown soccer player immediately rose to an unprecedented high with some media outlets gradually beginning to tout Smith as a "future {{wp|World Cup}} winner" especially so given that just a year prior the {{wp|United States}} suffered a humiliating exit in the group stages of the {{wp|1998 FIFA World Cup}}.
Soon enough, having been grouped with the likes of {{wp|England}}, {{wp|Japan}}, and {{wp|Cameroon}}, Smith quickly made his mark for the national team by scoring a brace in the first group stage match against {{wp|England}} although this was then followed by a 1-3 defeat to {{wp|Japan}}. However, in what would be a vital match towards securing qualification to the knockout stages, Smith went on to score his first hat-trick for the {{wp|United States}} against {{wp|Cameroon}} in a 6-0 win. Not long afterward, a late 93rd-minute goal from Smith proved vital in avoiding a narrow 2-3 defeat to {{wp|Spain}} in the round of 16 following which the {{wp|United States}} proceeded to defeat the {{wp|Spaniards}} 4-1 on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals. Then, after scoring two goals to complete a narrow 3-2 victory over hosts {{wp|Nigeria}} in the quarter-finals, Smith scored his second hat-trick for the {{wp|United States}} to complete a dominant 6-0 win over {{wp|Mali}} in the ensuing semi-finals, thereby allowing them to progress to the finals where they faced {{wp|Japan}}. In this, after a relatively long period which saw both the {{wp|United States}} and {{wp|Japan}} unsuccessfully attempt a tiebreaker, at precisely the 76th minute, Smith, shortly proceeded to dribble past several {{wp|Japanese}} players before unleashing a powerful long-range shot from just outside of the penalty area to give the {{wp|United States}} a vital breakthrough in the closing minutes of the game amidst subsequent unsuccessful attempt by {{wp|Japan}} to level the scores. Soon enough, having personally contributed to the {{wp|United States}}' first-ever {{wp|FIFA U-20 World Cup|FIFA World Youth Championship}} title with his tiebreaking goal in the finals, Smith's profile as a relatively unknown soccer player immediately rose to an unprecedented high with some media outlets gradually beginning to tout Smith as a "future {{wp|World Cup}} winner" especially so given that just a year prior the {{wp|United States}} suffered a humiliating exit in the group stages of the {{wp|1998 FIFA World Cup}}.  
 
Later on, Smith publicly spoke of the effects caused by the rapid rise in his profile as a soccer player, adding that his talents and early successes, which then led to expectations of him being a potential {{wp|World Cup}} winner, "troubled" him early on, stating, ''"By chance, at just twenty years old, I somehow now have almost the entire country on my shoulders begging me to somehow create the ultimate miracle and win the {{wp|World Cup}} against all the odds. Undoubtedly, that really stressed and terrified a lot because if I did succeed then I'd be a living legend of the sorts but what if I fail and all those extremely high expectations go to waste? It's safe to say that I probably can't even go to the closest grocery store without someone reminding me of it"''. In this, Smith has credited his "very loving" and "extensively supportive" family members in helping him overcome his "darkest days", stating, ''"In an alternate universe, I could've been long dead from a drug overdose or the sort like {{wp|Michael Jackson}} but fortunately, owing to all the things my family did to help me through it all, I'm now well alive and kicking and enjoying the best things that my life has to offer so far"''. In addition, despite having parted ways, Smith nonetheless thanked his former romantic partner, {{wp|Brazilian}} fashion model {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}}, for helping him through said years, with the former {{wp|England}} forward stating, ''"At that point, we were both rather uneasy and having some issues with our own respective lives. Luckily, we found each other and instead of just simply spiraling out of control, we both knew that we had each other's backs and would do our best to see  through each other's problems so that by the end of it we would both be content and at peace with ourselves and where we both are as a couple. For me, if I didn't have someone back then to lie down on and to talk about things in an honest and straightforward way, I don't really know where I'll even be right now"''.


===United States===
===United States===
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  |align  = right
}}
}}
In the following year, by then a talent-proven soccer player in the {{wp|Major League Soccer}} scene, and most recently, the winner of the {{wp|1999 FIFA World Youth Championship}}, Smith was officially called up for his first-ever international duty as part of the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}}, with then-manager {{wp|Bruce Arena}} hoping to utilise the young and rising soccer star as the national team's primary goalscorer in future competitive matches, especially in light of the upcoming {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Japan}} and {{wp|South Korea}}. On 16 January 2000, Smith made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against {{wp|Iran}}, where following an initial 1-1 deadlock between the two sides, Smith proceeded to score two goals throughout the course of the second half, ultimately giving the {{wp|United States}} a 3-1 win over their {{wp|Iranian}} opponents. Then, around a month later, for the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} tournament, Smith, who initially did not score in the first two matches against {{wp|Haiti}} and {{wp|Peru}} respectively, went on to score a hat-trick, his first-ever for the {{wp|United States}}' senior team, in the quarter-final match against {{wp|Colombia}}, allowing the {{wp|United States}} to break the initial 2-2 deadlock and therefore achieve a resounding 5-2 victory. This was soon followed by a heavy 4-0 demolition of {{wp|Peru}} in the semi-finals, in which Smith otherwise scored only one goal to add on to the other three goals by his teammates. In the end, a brace from Smith in the final match against {{wp|Canada}}, whose initial 1-0 lead was consequently overturned as a result, proved to be the decisive factor that awarded the {{wp|United States}} their second {{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup}} title. Then, just a year later, as a regular starter for the {{wp|United States}}, Smith famously contributed two consecutive hat-tricks in the knockout stages to demolish both {{wp|France}} and {{wp|Japan}} 5-0 and 5-1 respectively, allowing the {{wp|United States}} to also win their first-ever {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}} tournament. Soon enough, with a year left until the upcoming {{wp|World Cup}} tournament, Smith was named the {{wp|United States}}' new team captain, becoming the youngest-ever {{wp|American}} captain in history at just twenty-two.
In the following year, by then a talent-proven soccer player in the {{wp|Major League Soccer}} scene, and most recently, the winner of the {{wp|1999 FIFA World Youth Championship}}, Smith was officially called up for his first-ever international duty as part of the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}}, with then-manager {{wp|Bruce Arena}} hoping to utilise the young and rising soccer star as the national team's primary goalscorer in future competitive matches, especially in light of the upcoming {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Japan}} and {{wp|South Korea|Korea}}. On 16 January 2000, Smith made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against {{wp|Iran}} where following an initial 1-1 deadlock between the two sides Smith proceeded to score two goals throughout the second half, ultimately giving the {{wp|United States}} a 3-1 win over their opponents. Then, around a month later, for the {{wp|2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} tournament, Smith, who initially did not score in the first two matches against {{wp|Haiti}} and {{wp|Peru}} respectively, went on to score a hat-trick, his first-ever for the {{wp|United States}}' senior team, in the quarter-final match against {{wp|Colombia}}, allowing the {{wp|United States}} to break the initial 2-2 deadlock and therefore achieve a resounding 5-2 victory. This was soon followed by a heavy 4-0 demolition of {{wp|Peru}} in the semi-finals, in which Smith otherwise scored only one goal to add on to the other three goals by his teammates. In the end, a brace from Smith in the final match against {{wp|Canada}}, whose initial 1-0 lead was consequently overturned as a result, proved to be the decisive factor that awarded the {{wp|United States}} their second {{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup}} title. Then, just a year later, as a regular starter for the {{wp|United States}}, Smith famously contributed two consecutive hat-tricks in the knockout stages to demolish both {{wp|France}} and {{wp|Japan}} 5-0 and 5-1 respectively, allowing the {{wp|United States}} to also win their first-ever {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}} tournament. Soon enough, with only a year left until the upcoming {{wp|World Cup}} tournament, Smith was named the {{wp|United States}}' new team captain, becoming the youngest-ever {{wp|American}} captain in history at just twenty-two. Almost immediately, his public profile rose considerably among the {{wp|American}} media with {{wp|ESPN}}, noting Smith's physical attractiveness, beginning to refer to him as "{{wp|America}}'s {{wp|David Beckham}}".


[[File:Nissan International Stadium Yokohama.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)|Nissan Stadium}} in {{wp|Yokohama}}, {{wp|Japan}}, which hosted the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}} and which saw the {{wp|United States}} achieve a historic 5-0 win over {{wp|Brazil}} to lift their first and only {{wp|World Cup}} title to date]]
[[File:Nissan International Stadium Yokohama.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)|Nissan Stadium}} in {{wp|Yokohama}}, {{wp|Japan}}, which hosted the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}} and which saw the {{wp|United States}} achieve a historic 5-0 win over {{wp|Brazil}} to lift their first and only {{wp|World Cup}} title to date]]
In the following year of 2002, Smith saw further success when the {{wp|United States}} went on to win their second consecutive {{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup}} tournament, defeating {{wp|Costa Rica}} in the finals by an impressive 5-0 margin thanks to a hat-trick from Smith himself following a previous 0-0 tie with {{wp|Canada}} in the semi-finals that was later settled on penalties. Soon enough, for the group stage matches in the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, Smith became a regular presence for the {{wp|United States}}, scoring twice in a 5-2 win over {{wp|Portugal}} and a crucial goal in a 1-1 draw with {{wp|South Korea}} thereby allowing the {{wp|Americans}} to advance to the knockout stages despite a subsequent 1-3 loss to {{wp|Poland}}. In the ensuing round of 16, Smith provided one additional goal to complete a 3-0 rout of {{wp|Mexico}} before following it up with a crucial hat-trick to complete a remarkable 3-1 win over {{wp|Germany}} thereby allowing them to progress further to the semi-finals for just the second time in almost seventy years where the {{wp|United States}} dealt co-hosts {{wp|South Korea}} a heavy 5-2 defeat to then reach a {{wp|World Cup}} final for the first time ever. In this, Smith's individual brilliance, coupled with rigid and resolute defending from the {{wp|American}} backline in an effective 4-4-2 counter-attacking system, saw the {{wp|United States}} achieve a historic 5-0 victory over a star-studded {{wp|Brazil national football team|Brazil national team}} consisting of the likes of goalkeeper {{wp|Marcos (footballer, born 1973)|Marcos}}, defenders {{wp|Cafu}} and {{wp|Roberto Carlos}}, midfielders {{wp|Rivaldo}} and {{wp|Kaká}}, and forwards {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} and {{wp|Ronaldinho}}, in what later came to be nicknamed by {{wp|Brazilians}} as the ''"Desastre de Yokohama"'' ({{wp|English}}: "Yokohama Disaster") given the heavy-handed and unexpected nature of their national team's defeat while {{wp|American}} supporters otherwise came to refer to it as the "June 30th Miracle", a term that was even echoed by then-manager {{wp|Bruce Arena}} who later said during the post-match press conference, ''"Under normal circumstances, with the players that {{wp|Brazil}} had fielded, we definitely didn't stand a chance but this turns out to be not a normal match at all and by all means, we certainly did a miracle here that everyone will remember for generations"''. Most significantly, this marks the first and only time to date that the {{wp|United States}}, as the first and only {{wp|CONCACAF}} member state to do so, has ever won a {{wp|World Cup}} trophy since they first participated in the tournament in its inaugural {{wp|1930 FIFA World Cup|1930}} edition where they finished in third place behind {{wp|Uruguay}} and {{wp|Argentina}}, their highest-ever finish in the tournament prior to their victory in the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup|2002}} edition. In the meantime, his 75th-minute hat-trick saw Smith become just the second player after {{wp|England}}'s {{wp|Geoff Hurst}} to score a hat-trick in a {{wp|World Cup}} final as well as the only {{wp|American}} player to do so in what was the country's only appearance to date in a {{wp|World Cup}} final.   
Following this, in 2002, Smith saw further success by winning a second consecutive {{wp|CONCACAF Gold Cup}} with the {{wp|United States}} with his most notable contributions being a brace in a 6-0 win over {{wp|El Salvador}} in the quarter-finals and a hat-trick in the finals that saw the {{wp|Americans}} demolish {{wp|Costa Rica}} 5-0 at the {{wp|Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl}} in {{wp|Pasadena}}, {{wp|California}}. Soon enough, for the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}'s group stage fixtures, Smith was a steady and dominant presence for the {{wp|United States}}, scoring twice in a 5-2 win over {{wp|Portugal}} and a crucial equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with {{wp|South Korea|Korea}}, thereby allowing the {{wp|Americans}} to advance to the knockout stages despite a subsequent 1-3 loss to {{wp|Poland}} in the final group stage match. In the ensuing round of 16, Smith provided one additional goal to complete a 3-0 rout of neighbours {{wp|Mexico}} before following it up with a crucial hat-trick to complete a remarkable 3-1 comeback win over {{wp|Germany}}, thereby allowing them to progress further to the semi-finals for just the second time in almost seventy years where the {{wp|United States}} dealt co-hosts {{wp|South Korea|Korea}} a heavy 5-2 defeat to then reach a {{wp|World Cup}} final for the first time ever. In this, Smith's individual brilliance, coupled with resolute defending from the {{wp|American}} backline in an effective 4-4-2 counter-attacking system set up by head coach {{wp|Bruce Arena}}, saw the {{wp|United States}} achieve a historic 5-0 victory over a star-studded {{wp|Brazil national football team|Brazilian national team}} consisting of the likes of goalkeeper {{wp|Marcos (footballer, born 1973)|Marcos}}, defenders {{wp|Cafu}} and {{wp|Roberto Carlos}}, midfielders {{wp|Rivaldo}} and {{wp|Kaká}}, and forwards {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} and {{wp|Ronaldinho}}, in what later came to be nicknamed by {{wp|Brazilians}} as the ''"Desastre de Yokohama"'' ({{wp|English}}: "Yokohama Disaster") given the heavy-handed and unexpected nature of their national team's defeat while {{wp|American}} supporters otherwise came to refer to it as the "June 30th Miracle", a term that was even echoed by then-manager {{wp|Bruce Arena}} who later said during the post-match press conference, ''"Under normal circumstances, with the players that {{wp|Brazil}} had fielded, we definitely didn't stand a chance but this turns out to be not a normal match at all and by all means, we certainly did a miracle here that everyone will remember for generations"''. Most significantly, this marks the first and only time to date that the {{wp|United States}}, as the first and only {{wp|CONCACAF}} member state to do so, has ever won a {{wp|World Cup}} trophy since they first participated in the tournament in its inaugural {{wp|1930 FIFA World Cup|1930}} edition where they finished in third place behind {{wp|Uruguay}} and {{wp|Argentina}}, their highest-ever finish in the tournament prior to their victory in the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup|2002}} edition. In the meantime, his 75th-minute hat-trick saw Smith become just the second player after {{wp|England}}'s {{wp|Geoff Hurst}} to score a hat-trick in a {{wp|World Cup}} final as well as the only {{wp|American}} player to do so in what is the country's only appearance to date in a {{wp|World Cup}} final.   
 
Shortly afterwards, despite later suddenly announcing that the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} would be his first and only {{wp|World Cup}} tournament with the {{wp|United States}}, an announcement that quickly caught many by surprise, Smith continued to remain with the national team for another year to then successfully guide it to a first-place finish at the {{wp|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}} in which a hat-trick from the former in the finals saw the {{wp|United States}} deliver a 3-1 defeat to {{wp|Costa Rica}}, who beforehand had recorded an unexpected 3-0 victory over {{wp|France}} in the semi-finals, thereby securing a second consecutive win in the {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}}, with the {{wp|United States}} itself becoming the first nation to win the tournament twice in a row, followed by {{wp|Brazil}} afterwards. In the end, amidst much speculation and expectation that he would retire from the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}}, Smith announced his much-anticipated departure that would precede a subsequent move to {{wp|England}} the following year. Since then, the somewhat abrupt nature of Smith's retirement from the national team, that is at the mere age of twenty-five, coupled with the fact that the national team itself would never go on to win another {{wp|World Cup}} or reach the same heights as they previously did, has led many {{wp|American}} sports commentators to describe it as a "watershed moment" for the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}} who had effectively lost their star player right after a major and historic triumph. Evidently, former {{wp|LA Galaxy}} and {{wp|United States}} teammate {{wp|Cobi Jones}} later remarked, ''"Without a doubt, he (Smith) was one of or if not the best soccer player I've ever played with in my entire life and it was truly a loss to see him go so soon especially when it became clear that we needed him so much later on"''. Since then, the {{wp|United States}} has failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in subsequent editions during which they were twice eliminated in the group stages in {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup|2006}} and {{wp|2022 FIFA World Cup|2022}}.
 
For his success at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, Smith, along with other players in the national team, were each awarded a {{wp|Presidential Medal of Freedom}} and a lavish state dinner by then-{{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|George W. Bush}} although Smith himself later chose to personally return the award given to him following the controversial {{wp|US}}-led {{wp|2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion}} of {{wp|Iraq}} in 2003, reportedly as a sign of protest against the country's role in the invasion. Nonetheless, he would later be awarded the medal a second time in 2016, this time by then-{{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama}}, shortly after his retirement from professional football that year. In that same year, a bronze statue of Smith was erected in his honour in front of the {{wp|United States Soccer Federation}} headquarters in {{wp|Chicago}}, {{wp|Illinois}}. Moreover, {{wp|American}} supporters and fans are known to have famously nicknamed Smith "Captain America" in recognition of his success with the national team at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} coupled with his pre-eminent status in the {{wp|American}} soccer scene as perhaps its most talented and most successful player ever with no other {{wp|American}} soccer player in history capable of equalising the former in terms of success and recognition, a view shared by former soccer player {{wp|Cobi Jones}} who remarked, ''"The truth is that there were eleven of us that won the {{wp|World Cup}} that year but as it would happen only one will be remembered for generations to come by almost everyone around the world"''.
 
[[File:BA2002.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Former {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|USMNT}} manager {{wp|Bruce Arena}} at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} where he led the country to its first-ever {{wp|World Cup}} title]]
In a 2015 interview with {{wp|CNN}}, former {{wp|United States}} head coach {{wp|Bruce Arena}} revealed that shortly prior to Smith's departure for {{wp|England}}, he, along with then-president of the {{wp|United States Soccer Federation}} {{wp|Robert Contiguglia}} painstakingly tried to convince the {{wp|World Cup}}-winning striker to remain with the {{wp|United States}} for the foreseeable future given the uncertainties around the national team's immediate feature but to no avail in an effort that reportedly included various financial bonuses as well as a luxurious set of accommodations reportedly ranging from a mansion in {{wp|Los Angeles}} to a personal driver for Smith himself. Ultimately, {{wp|Bruce Arena|Arena}} revealed that Smith "really wanted to leave and not because he didn't necessarily enjoy winning the {{wp|World Cup}} for the {{wp|United States}} but because he wanted to be closer to his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] in the {{wp|United Kingdom}} and that meant being part of the {{wp|England}} team itself so that he doesn't have to needlessly travel back and forth for international training". On the other hand, during an interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}} in 2018, Smith revealed that he "absolutely had no intention of staying with neither {{wp|LA Galaxy}} nor with the {{wp|United States}} forever", stating, ''"From the beginning, thanks to what I've learned about football from my [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]], I've always wanted to play for {{wp|Manchester United}}, a club with so much history and a long list of silverware to speak of. To that end, when I first joined {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, I knew from the start that I was not going to be there forever but eventually at {{wp|Manchester United}} for which I sought to be the best I could playing football in a country where it's not even the national sport"''. Meanwhile, on his switch from the {{wp|United States}} to {{wp|England}}, Smith remarked, ''"When I would later win a {{wp|World Cup}}, I want the person holding it with me in celebration to not be some random politician who I probably didn't even vote for but rather my one and very own father who was the primary reason as to why I even started playing football in the first place"''. Despite this, Smith has since spoke positively of his time with the {{wp|United States}}, stating that the feat of winning a {{wp|World Cup}} with an "underdog" country was an "undoubtedly memorable experience" and also one that he personally sees as "one of the biggest achievements in my entire life".


===2002 Ballon d'Or eligibility controversy===
Later on, despite suddenly announcing that the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} would be his first and only {{wp|World Cup}} tournament with the {{wp|United States}}, an announcement that quickly caught many by surprise, Smith continued to remain with the national team for another year to then successfully guide it to a first-place finish at the {{wp|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}} in which a hat-trick from the former in the finals saw the {{wp|United States}} deliver a 3-1 defeat to {{wp|Costa Rica}}, who beforehand had recorded an unexpected 3-0 victory over {{wp|France}} in the semi-finals, thereby securing a second consecutive win in the {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup}}, with the {{wp|United States}} itself becoming the first nation to win the tournament twice in a row, followed by {{wp|Brazil}} afterward. In the end, amidst much speculation and expectation that he would retire from the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}}, Smith announced his much-anticipated departure that would precede a subsequent move to {{wp|England}} the following year. Since then, the somewhat abrupt nature of Smith's retirement from the national team, that is at the mere age of twenty-five, coupled with the fact that the national team itself would never go on to win another {{wp|World Cup}} or reach the same heights as they previously did, has led many {{wp|American}} sports commentators to describe it as a "watershed moment" for the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}} who had effectively lost their star player right after a major and historic triumph. Evidently, former {{wp|LA Galaxy}} and {{wp|United States}} teammate {{wp|Cobi Jones}} later remarked, ''"Without a doubt, he (Smith) was one of or if not the best soccer player I've ever played with in my entire life and it was truly a loss to see him go so soon especially when it became clear that we needed him so much later on"''. Since then, the {{wp|United States}} has failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in subsequent editions during which they were twice eliminated in the group stages in {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup|2006}} and {{wp|2022 FIFA World Cup|2022}}.  
{{Quote box
|quote  = "Regardless of where the player comes from or where he plays football, if he scored a hat-trick against {{wp|Brazil}} in a {{wp|World Cup}} final, he absolutely deserved the award (Ballon d'Or) without question."
|author = Former {{wp|Brazilian}} footballer {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} on Smith winning the {{wp|Ballon d'Or}} in 2002
|source =
|width  = 50%
|align  = right
}}
Around November 2002, following his historic success with the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}} at the {{wp|World Cup}} tournament just several months prior, controversy ensued when Smith, who was then playing for a {{wp|North American}} side, was reportedly nominated for the {{wp|Ballon d'Or}} award that same year so as to honour his achievement of winning the {{wp|United States}}' first-ever {{wp|World Cup}} title. Almost immediately, given that the award itself normally featured players who were playing at top {{wp|European}} clubs, Smith's nomination soon sparked a great debate among the award's organisers who were divided on whether to allow a player from the recently-established {{wp|Major League Soccer}} to ever win the award, given the league's drastically young age compared to its {{wp|European}} counterparts hence leading to questions over the league's level of professionalism and the overall quality of its players, to which supporters replied by pointing to Smith's remarkable performance with the {{wp|United States}} that even managed to defeat heavyweights {{wp|Brazil}} 5-0 in the finals owing to a memorable hat-trick by Smith himself.


Eventually, amidst allegations that Smith, purely due to the nature of the league that he was playing in, was "robbed" of the award that he seemingly deserved, coupled with public support and threats of boycott from fellow nominees {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} and {{wp|Roberto Carlos}}, with the former pledging to give the award to Smith should he win the award himself, ''{{wp|France Football}}'', which has presented the award since its inception in 1956, announced that players from {{wp|Major League Soccer}}, provided that they are deemed "worthy enough" for the award, would be eligible to win the award if nominated. Subsequently, Smith later received the award as expected that year, making him the first and only {{wp|American}} player to ever win the award. In response, both {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} and {{wp|Roberto Carlos}} expressed much support and positive sentiment towards Smith's win, with {{wp|Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo}} later stating in a 2015 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, ''"Regardless of where the player comes from or where he plays football, if he scored a hat-trick against {{wp|Brazil}} in a {{wp|World Cup}} final, he absolutely deserved the award (Ballon d'Or) without question"''.
For his success at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}, Smith, along with other players in the national team, were each awarded a {{wp|Presidential Medal of Freedom}} and a lavish state dinner by then-{{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|George W. Bush}} although Smith himself later chose to personally return the award given to him following the controversial {{wp|US}}-led {{wp|2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion}} of {{wp|Iraq}} in 2003, reportedly as a sign of protest against the country's role in the invasion. Nonetheless, he would later be awarded the medal a second time in 2014, this time by then-{{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama}}, shortly after his final {{wp|FIFA World Cup|World Cup}} triumph that year. In that same year, a bronze statue of Smith, known as the "Captain America Statue", was erected in his honour and currently stands in front of the {{wp|United States Soccer Federation}} headquarters in {{wp|Chicago}}, {{wp|Illinois}}. Moreover, {{wp|American}} supporters and fans are known to have famously nicknamed Smith "Captain America" in recognition of his success with the national team at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} coupled with his pre-eminent status in the {{wp|American}} soccer scene as perhaps its most talented and most successful player ever with no other {{wp|American}} soccer player in history capable of equalising the former in terms of success and recognition, a view shared by former soccer player {{wp|Cobi Jones}} who remarked, ''"The truth is that there were eleven of us that won the {{wp|World Cup}} that year but as it would happen only one will be remembered for generations to come by almost everyone around the world"''. In the meantime, his good looks, coupled with his rise to prominence in the early 2000s, also led some media outlets to nickname him "America's Beckham" in reference to {{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|David Beckham}} who was known both for his talents and his striking looks.


===England===
===England===
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  |quote  = "If I was going to win a {{wp|World Cup}}, I want it to be with my own [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] who will celebrate with me on the stage when it's over and not with some random politician that I probably didn't even vote for."
  |quote  = "If I was going to win a {{wp|World Cup}}, I want it to be with my own [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] who will celebrate with me on the stage when it's over and not with some random politician that I probably didn't even vote for."
  |author = Smith on his decision to switch his international allegiance from the {{wp|United States}} to {{wp|England}}
  |author = Smith on his decision to switch his international allegiance from the {{wp|United States}} to {{wp|England}}
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In early 2004, shortly after he had signed for {{wp|Manchester United}} under {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}}, Smith, who by then was carrying a recent reputation as the winner of the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} during which he famously led the {{wp|United States}} to an infamous 5-0 victory over football giants {{wp|Brazil}} in the finals, quickly caught the attention of then-{{wp|England}} manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}}, who has previously seen his {{wp|England}} side exit that same {{wp|World Cup}} tournament in the quarter-finals beforehand, was said to have been "extremely jubilant than ever" upon learning of Smith's arrival in {{wp|England}} and his departure from the {{wp|United States}} national team. To that end, {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson|Eriksson}} then promptly had {{wp|England}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} midfielder {{wp|David Beckham}} approach Smith so as to convince him to agree to a call-up for the national team, which {{wp|David Beckham|Beckham}} did so shortly after catching sight of the latter at a January 2004 friendly match against {{wp|Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers}}. Almost immediately, the meeting proved to be an instant success, with Smith later making his debut for the {{wp|England}} in a friendly match on 18 February 2004 against {{wp|Portugal}}, an occasion in which Smith himself did not actually score a goal. However, he soon made his impact for {{wp|England national football team|England}} when in an ensuing friendly match against {{wp|Sweden}}, Smith personally orchestrated a dramatic comeback to overcome {{wp|Sweden}}'s initial 1-0 lead by scoring two goals in the second half to ultimately conclude the fixture in {{wp|England}}'s favour with a final 2-1 win.  
In 2004, just shortly after he had signed for {{wp|Manchester United}} under {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}}, Smith, who had publicly stated his intention of representing {{wp|England}}, was officially declared an {{wp|England}} player by {{wp|FIFA}}, football's governing body. To that end, on 18 February 2004, amidst widespread enthusiasm and anticipation, Smith made his debut in a friendly match against {{wp|Portugal}} that eventually ended in a 1-1 draw with the former unable to score a goal despite registering several attempts on target. However, around a month later, on March 31st, Smith scored his first few goals for {{wp|England}} in a 2-1 win over {{wp|Sweden}} who initially led their opponents by 1-0 via {{wp|Zlatan Ibrahimović}} until a brace from Smith overturned the result in {{wp|England}}'s favour. Then, following a three-month-long break, Smith soon returned to {{wp|England}} to compete in the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2004}}, his first {{wp|European}} tournament, in which he first scored a brace in the match against {{wp|France}} in the group stages before following it up with two consecutive hat-tricks against {{wp|Switzerland}} and {{wp|Croatia}} respectively. Once more, in the round of 16 fixture against {{wp|Portugal}}, Smith's late 116th-minute goal, which came around just a minute after an earlier goal by {{wp|Frank Lampard}}, proved vital in breaking the 2-2 deadlock, thereby avoiding an ensuing penalty shootout while allowing {{wp|England}} to progress to the quarter-finals to meet the {{wp|Netherlands}} where they ultimately lost 2-3. However, despite this setback, when later asked by a {{wp|BBC}} journalist over his immediate feelings, Smith famously replied, ''"It's alright, I'm just getting started"'', sparking much attention from the media who immediately noted his high levels of optimism in spite of his country's defeat.
 
Then, following a three-month-long break, Smith soon returned to {{wp|England}} where for the following group stage matches of the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2004}}, he first scored a brace in the match against {{wp|France}}, allowing {{wp|England}} to manage a successful comeback and deal a 3-2 defeat to their opponents, before following it up with two consecutive hat-tricks against {{wp|Switzerland}} and {{wp|Croatia}} respectively, them being his first two hat-tricks for {{wp|England}}. Once more, in the round of 16 fixture against {{wp|Portugal}}, Smith's late 116th-minute goal, which came around just a minute after an earlier goal by {{wp|Frank Lampard}}, proved vital in breaking the 2-2 deadlock, thereby avoiding an ensuing penalty shootout whilst allowing {{wp|England}} to progress to the quarter-finals to meet the {{wp|Netherlands}} to whom they narrowly lost 2-3. However, despite this setback, when later asked by a {{wp|BBC}} journalist over his feelings about the defeat, Smith famously replied, ''"It's alright, I'm just getting started"'', to which several {{wp|British}} media outlets promptly highlighted Smith's "unfazedness" at his national team's defeat with ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'' stating, ''"At just twenty-five years old, the young {{wp|World Cup}} winner seems completely undisturbed and otherwise ever-more motivated by this recent setback not least with the chance for another {{wp|World Cup}} glory just four years after his first one that undoubtedly proved a historic and memorable moment for all and especially for {{wp|England}} waiting for {{wp|World Cup}} glory for over four decades"''.  


[[File:Olympiastadion Berlin Sep-2015.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion}} in {{wp|Berlin}}, {{wp|Germany}}, where {{wp|England}} defeated {{wp|Italy}} 5-2 to win their first {{wp|World Cup}} title in forty years]]
[[File:Olympiastadion Berlin Sep-2015.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion}} in {{wp|Berlin}}, {{wp|Germany}}, where {{wp|England}} defeated {{wp|Italy}} 5-2 to win their first {{wp|World Cup}} title in forty years]]
Despite the {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}} setback, in anticipation of the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Germany}}, Smith, a guaranteed regular starter under manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}}, who also appointed him as the new {{wp|England}} captain, succeeding {{wp|David Beckham}} in that position, quickly proved his worth via a series of goals scored in the qualifying campaign for the upcoming {{wp|World Cup}} tournament where almost all of their opponents, save for {{wp|Northern Ireland}}, to whom {{wp|England}} narrowly lost 0-1, were comfortably defeated each time by comfortable margins. Similarly, in the following group stage matches on June 2006, {{wp|England}}, grouped alongside {{wp|Paraguay}}, {{wp|Trinidad and Tobago}}, and {{wp|Sweden}}, easily managed their qualification to the knockout stages with victories against both {{wp|Paraguay}} and {{wp|Trinidad and Tobago}}, while a fixture with {{wp|Sweden}} ended in a 2-2 draw, with {{wp|Joe Cole}} and {{wp|Steven Gerrard}} providing the two {{wp|England}} goals. Then, in the following round of 16, {{wp|England}} comfortably managed a resounding 4-0 victory over {{wp|Ecuador}}, with Smith himself providing his first hat-trick for the national team in the match. However, a 0-0 draw with {{wp|Portugal}} in the following quarter-final match almost saw {{wp|England}}'s journey at the tournament cut short before a remarkable performance by goalkeeper {{wp|Paul Robinson (footballer, born 1979)|Paul Robinson}} during the subsequent penalty shootouts saw {{wp|England}} progress to the semi-finals with a final 4-2 win over their opponents. Following this, Smith went on to provide two decisive goals in the semi-final match against {{wp|France}}, before later adding two goals of his own to complete a 5-2 rout of {{wp|Italy}} in the finals, thereby securing {{wp|England}} their second {{wp|World Cup}} title in history while also ending a forty-year-long trophy drought since their first {{wp|World Cup}} triumph in {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup|1966}} for which he was then appropriately awarded both the {{wp|Golden Ball}} and {{wp|Golden Boot}} awards. Moreover, Smith also personally gained fame for being the first player to win a {{wp|World Cup}} for two different countries as well as the second to win two consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} trophies after former {{wp|Brazilian}} footballer {{wp|Pelé}}.
Despite the {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}} setback, in anticipation of the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Germany}}, Smith, by now a guaranteed regular starter under manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} who had also appointed him as the new {{wp|England}} captain, quickly proved his worth via a series of goals scored in the qualifying campaign for the upcoming {{wp|World Cup}} tournament where almost all of their opponents, save for {{wp|Northern Ireland}}, to whom {{wp|England}} narrowly lost 0-1, were defeated each time by comfortable margins. Similarly, in the following group stage matches on June 2006, {{wp|England}}, grouped alongside {{wp|Paraguay}}, [[West Indies]], and {{wp|Sweden}}, easily managed their qualification to the knockout stages with victories against both {{wp|Paraguay}} and [[West Indies]] while a fixture with {{wp|Sweden}} ended in a 2-2 draw in which {{wp|Joe Cole}} and {{wp|Steven Gerrard}} provided the two {{wp|England}} goals. Then, in the following round of 16, {{wp|England}} comfortably managed a resounding 4-0 victory over {{wp|Ecuador}}, with Smith himself providing his first hat-trick for the national team in the match. However, a 0-0 draw with {{wp|Portugal}} in the following quarter-final match almost saw {{wp|England}}'s journey at the tournament cut short before a remarkable performance by goalkeeper {{wp|Paul Robinson (footballer, born 1979)|Paul Robinson}} during the subsequent penalty shootouts saw {{wp|England}} progress to the semi-finals with a final 4-2 win over their opponents. Following this, Smith went on to provide two decisive goals in the semi-final match against {{wp|France}} before later adding two goals of his own to complete a 5-2 rout of {{wp|Italy}} in the finals, thereby securing {{wp|England}} their first {{wp|World Cup}} title in decades while also ending a forty-year-long trophy drought since their first {{wp|World Cup}} triumph in {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup|1966}}. Moreover, Smith also personally gained fame for being the first player to win a {{wp|World Cup}} for two different countries as well as the second to win two consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} trophies after former {{wp|Brazilian}} footballer {{wp|Pelé}}.  
 
Meanwhile, shortly after the final whistle was blown, Smith himself led a giant impromptu "concert" including both {{wp|England}} players and supporters at the {{wp|Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion}} that featured two particular songs namely {{wp|We Will Rock You|"We Will Rock You"}} and {{wp|We Are the Champions|"We Are The Champions"}} by the {{wp|English}} rock band {{wp|Queen (band)|Queen}}. Later, when asked about his motive behind the impromptu performance, Smith replied, ''"When I was about ten years old or so, my [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|dad]], a big and massive fan of {{wp|Queen (band)|Queen}}, knew well that his oldest son wanted to play football and represent {{wp|England}} at the {{wp|World Cup}} one day when he grew up. For that, he recommended and taught me those two songs almost every month so I'll never forget them when the time comes because to him those two are not just the songs of victory but the songs of {{wp|England}}'s victory on the world stage"''. The performance, which was mostly unplanned and spontaneous in nature, was widely received and became the subject of international media coverage with ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'' describing it as a "one-of-a-kind football spectacle" while the {{wp|BBC}} hailed it as "the most memorable end to a {{wp|World Cup}} in history". Following this, the gesture was later observed again during {{wp|England}}'s subsequent victories with the most notable instance being at the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2020 Final}} in which {{wp|England}} players and supporters performed the gesture after defeating {{wp|Spain}} 3-0 at {{wp|Wembley Stadium}}, {{wp|London}}.


[[File:Ernst-happel-stadion vienna.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The {{wp|Ernst-Happel-Stadion}} in {{wp|Vienna}}, {{wp|Austria}}, where {{wp|England}} defeated {{wp|Germany}} 4-2 to win their first-ever {{wp|European}} title in just two years after their first {{wp|World Cup}} title in forty years]]
[[File:Ernst-happel-stadion vienna.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The {{wp|Ernst-Happel-Stadion}} in {{wp|Vienna}}, {{wp|Austria}}, where {{wp|England}} defeated {{wp|Germany}} 4-2 to win their first-ever {{wp|European}} title in just two years after their first {{wp|World Cup}} title in forty years]]
In 2008, just two years after their historic {{wp|World Cup}} triumph, {{wp|England}}, now led by none other than Smith himself as captain and {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} as manager, saw further success in the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2008}}, where after being initially grouped alongside the likes of {{wp|Spain}}, {{wp|Sweden}}, and {{wp|Greece}}, {{wp|England}}, thanks to a resouding 5-3 victory over {{wp|Spain}}, a similarly big 4-1 victory over {{wp|Greece}}, and a narrow 1-0 win over {{wp|Sweden}}, easily progressed to the following knockout stage, where in the following quarter-final match, thanks to a hat-trick by Smith, {{wp|England}} comfortably defeated their {{wp|Dutch}} opponents 5-3 to meet {{wp|Spain}} once more in the semi-finals, who they then defeated 5-2 with Smith himself contributing a vital hat-trick to break the 2-2 deadlock. Eventually, in the final match against {{wp|Germany}}, who initially appeared dominant in the first half with goals from {{wp|Bastian Schweinsteiger}} and {{wp|Christoph Metzelder}} respectively giving them an initial 2-0 lead, was ultimately defeated by a dramatic comeback from {{wp|England}} in the second half, in which Smith's hat-trick, along with an additional goal by midfielder {{wp|James Milner}} allowed {{wp|England}} to overcome their two-goal deficit and ultimately win the tournament outright 4-2, and therefore, the country's first-ever {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} title in what was then heavily compared to {{wp|England}}'s inaugural {{wp|World Cup}} glory where they defeated {{wp|West Germany}} 4-2 to win their first {{wp|World Cup}} title. The following year, as team captain, Smith guided {{wp|England}} to a second-place finish at the {{wp|2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}} in {{wp|South Africa}} where following a 6-4 victory over {{wp|Germany}} in the semi-finals, a 1-3 defeat to {{wp|Brazil}} in the finals forced {{wp|England}} to settle for a second-place finish instead.   
In 2008, just two years after their historic {{wp|World Cup}} triumph, {{wp|England}}, now led by none other than Smith himself as captain and {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} as manager, saw further success in the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2008}} where after being initially grouped alongside the likes of {{wp|Spain}}, {{wp|Sweden}}, and {{wp|Greece}}, {{wp|England}}, thanks to a resouding 5-3 victory over {{wp|Spain}}, a similarly huge 4-1 victory over {{wp|Greece}}, and a narrow 1-0 win over {{wp|Sweden}}, easily progressed to the following knockout stage, where in the following quarter-final match, thanks to a hat-trick by Smith, {{wp|England}} comfortably defeated their {{wp|Dutch}} opponents 5-3 to meet {{wp|Spain}} once more in the semi-finals who they then defeated 5-2 with Smith himself contributing a vital hat-trick to break the 2-2 deadlock. Eventually, in the final match, {{wp|Germany}}, despite initially leading by 2-0 through goals from {{wp|Bastian Schweinsteiger}} and {{wp|Christoph Metzelder}}, were ultimately defeated by a dramatic comeback from {{wp|England}} in the second half in which Smith's hat-trick, along with an additional goal by midfielder {{wp|James Milner}} allowed {{wp|England}} to overcome their two-goal deficit and ultimately win the tournament outright 4-2, and therefore, the country's first-ever {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}} title, a milestone that was then popularly compared to {{wp|England}}'s inaugural {{wp|World Cup}} glory where they defeated {{wp|West Germany}} 4-2 to win their first {{wp|World Cup}} title. The following year, as team captain, Smith guided {{wp|England}} to a second-place finish at the {{wp|2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}} in {{wp|South Africa}} where following a 6-4 victory over {{wp|Germany}} in the semi-finals, a 1-3 defeat to {{wp|Brazil}} in the finals forced {{wp|England}} to settle for a second-place finish instead.   


[[File:FL2010.jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|England}} and {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} midfielder {{wp|Frank Lampard}} whose infamous "ghost goal" in the round of 16 against {{wp|Germany}} was erroneously denied by the referee amidst claims pointing to the contrary. {{wp|England}} later went on to win the match 7-6 on penalties following a 4-4 draw courtesy of a hat-trick from Smith]]
[[File:FL2010.jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|England}} and {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} midfielder {{wp|Frank Lampard}} whose infamous "ghost goal" in the round of 16 against {{wp|Germany}} was erroneously denied by the referee amidst claims pointing to the contrary. {{wp|England}} later went on to win the match 7-6 on penalties following a 4-4 draw courtesy of a hat-trick from Smith]]
Two years later, coming off their recent {{wp|World Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} triumphs, and despite some challenge in the group stages against the likes of the {{wp|United States}}, {{wp|Algeria}}, and {{wp|Slovenia}}, {{wp|England}} proved quick to secure qualification to the knockout stages, winning against all except the {{wp|United States}} where the two sides drew 1-1 in what was a reunion between Smith and former compatriot {{wp|Landon Donovan}} but on opposite teams. In the following round of 16 fixture against {{wp|Germany}}, which notably saw {{wp|Frank Lampard}}'s infamous "ghost goal" controversially disallowed by the referee, Smith established himself as one of the tournament's most memorable players when he later scored a decisive hat-trick in the 87th minute that effectively nullified the initial 4-1 lead the {{wp|Germans}} had previously enjoyed to then bring the match to a penalty shootout which {{wp|England}} ultimately won 7-6 in what was later popularly referred to as the "Bloemfontein Miracle" in reference to the {{wp|Bloemfontein|city}} that the match had taken place. A subsequent brace from Smith soon added to a resounding 4-0 victory that knocked out {{wp|Argentina}} in the quarter-finals which he then followed up on with a crucial assist in the semi-finals where {{wp|England}} defeated {{wp|Spain}} 2-0 to advance to the finals for the second consecutive time where Smith went on to score yet another brace to mark {{wp|England}}'s dominant 5-0 win over the {{wp|Netherlands}}. Consequently, along with {{wp|Brazil}} and {{wp|Italy}}, {{wp|England}} became just one of three nations to have ever won two {{wp|World Cups}} in a row. Meanwhile, in the following year, Smith also captained {{wp|England}} to a third-place finish at the {{wp|2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}} in {{wp|Brazil}}, where a narrow 1-2 loss to {{wp|Mexico}} in the semi-finals saw {{wp|England}} successfully rebound to then deal {{wp|Uruguay}} a heavy 4-0 defeat in the third-place playoffs, thereby securing a third-place finish in the tournament.
Two years later, coming off their recent {{wp|World Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} triumphs, and despite some challenge in the group stages against the likes of the {{wp|United States}}, {{wp|Algeria}}, and {{wp|Slovenia}}, {{wp|England}} proved quick to secure qualification to the knockout stages, winning against all except the {{wp|United States}} where the two sides drew 1-1 in what was a reunion between Smith and former compatriot {{wp|Landon Donovan}} but on opposite teams. In the following round of 16 fixture against {{wp|Germany}}, which notably saw {{wp|Frank Lampard}}'s infamous "ghost goal" controversially disallowed by the referee, Smith established himself as one of the tournament's most memorable players when he later scored a decisive hat-trick in the 87th minute that effectively nullified the initial 4-1 lead the {{wp|Germans}} had previously enjoyed to then bring the match to a penalty shootout which {{wp|England}} ultimately won 7-6 in what was later popularly referred to as the "Bloemfontein Miracle" in reference to the {{wp|Bloemfontein|city}} that the match had taken place. A subsequent brace from Smith soon added to a resounding 4-0 victory that knocked out {{wp|Argentina}} in the quarter-finals which he then followed up on with a crucial assist in the semi-finals where {{wp|England}} defeated {{wp|Spain}} 2-0 to advance to the finals for the second consecutive time where Smith went on to score yet another brace to mark {{wp|England}}'s dominant 5-0 win over the {{wp|Netherlands}}. Consequently, along with {{wp|Brazil}} and {{wp|Italy}}, {{wp|England}} became just one of three nations to have ever won two {{wp|FIFA World Cup|World Cups}} in a row. Meanwhile, in the following year, Smith also captained {{wp|England}} to a third-place finish at the {{wp|2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}} in {{wp|Brazil}}, where a narrow 1-2 loss to {{wp|Mexico}} in the semi-finals saw {{wp|England}} successfully rebound to then deal {{wp|Uruguay}} a heavy 4-0 defeat in the third-place playoffs, thereby securing a third-place finish in the tournament.


[[File:Maracanã 2014 g.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The {{wp|Maracanã Stadium}} in {{wp|Rio de Janeiro}}, {{wp|Brazil}}, which saw {{wp|England}} defeat {{wp|Argentina}} 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in what was famously called the "Falklands derby" in reference to the {{wp|Falklands War}} conflict between the two countries that lasted from 1982 to 1984]]
[[File:Maracanã 2014 g.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The {{wp|Maracanã Stadium}} in {{wp|Rio de Janeiro}}, {{wp|Brazil}}, which saw {{wp|England}} defeat {{wp|Argentina}} 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in what was famously called the "Falklands derby" in reference to the {{wp|Falklands War}} conflict between the two countries that lasted from 1982 to 1984]]
Following their success in the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012}} tournament, {{wp|England}}, which Smith would come to captain for one final time, saw themselves managing to qualify for the {{wp|2014 FIFA World Cup}} tournament in {{wp|Brazil}}. For the tournament, {{wp|England}} found itself grouped with the likes of {{wp|Italy}}, {{wp|Uruguay}}, and {{wp|Costa Rica}}. Subsequently, victories against {{wp|Italy}} and {{wp|Uruguay}}, despite a subsequent 0-0 draw with {{wp|Costa Rica}}, saw the national team progress further to the knockout stages, with their first opponent being {{wp|Colombia}} in the round of 16, against who {{wp|England}} initially managed a narrow 7-6 win via penalty shootouts following an initial 2-2 draw with their opponents. Following this, the national team then faced hosts {{wp|Brazil}} in the quarter-finals, who they proceeded to deal a crushing 5-1 victory, with Smith himself scoring a hat-trick for {{wp|England}} at the 88th minute. For the ensuing semi-finals fixture against {{wp|Germany}}, the two sides initially found themselves tied 1-1 after an early {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} goal was then equalised by a second-half goal from {{wp|Miroslav Klose}} afterwards until a 65th-minute goal from Smith proved to be the essential tiebreaker, thereby allowing them to progress to the finals to face {{wp|Argentina}} where following a 53rd-minute goal from Smith and a 79th-minute counter-goal from {{wp|Enzo Pérez}}, the two sides subsequently faced one another in a penalty shootout that {{wp|England}} ultimately won it 4-2 to secure a record-breaking third consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} title. Shortly after the tournament concluded, Smith soon announced his retirement from international football while also clarifying that although he would continue to play at the club level for two more years he would otherwise not seek to participate in the upcoming {{wp|UEFA Euro 2016}} with the {{wp|World Cup}} that year itself being his last ever for {{wp|England}} and which he had intended to be his "last hurrah". In his absence, {{wp|England}} were later defeated 0-1 by hosts {{wp|France}} in the quarter-finals after having previously annihilated {{wp|Iceland}} 5-0 in the round of 16 thereby resulting in the resignation of longtime head coach {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} shortly afterwards following an almost fifteen years long tenure, the longest of any {{wp|England}} managers. Regardless, {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson|Eriksson}}'s immediate successor {{wp|Gareth Southgate|Sir Gareth Southgate}} went on to achieve much success afterwards, becoming just the second {{wp|English}} manager after the late {{wp|Alf Ramsey|Sir Alf Ramsey}} to win the {{wp|World Cup}} and notably the first {{wp|English}} manager to win the {{wp|UEFA European Championship}} and the {{wp|UEFA Nations League}}.
Following their success in the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012}} tournament, {{wp|England}}, which Smith would come to captain for one final time, further qualified for the {{wp|2014 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Brazil}}. For the tournament, {{wp|England}} found itself grouped with the likes of {{wp|Italy}}, {{wp|Uruguay}}, and {{wp|Costa Rica}}. Subsequently, despite a 0-0 draw with {{wp|Costa Rica}}, victories against {{wp|Italy}} and {{wp|Uruguay}} saw them progress easily to the knockout stages with their first opponent being {{wp|Colombia}} in the round of 16 who they dramatically defeated 7-6 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Following this, {{wp|England}} then faced hosts {{wp|Brazil}} in the quarter-finals where they proceeded to deal a crushing 5-1 victory with Smith's 88th-minute hat-trick in the match quickly evoking comparisons with his infamous hat-trick against the {{wp|South American}} country just a decade earlier at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}}. For the ensuing semi-finals fixture against {{wp|Germany}}, the two sides initially found themselves tied 1-1 after an early {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} goal was then equalised by a second-half goal from {{wp|Miroslav Klose}} afterward until a 65th-minute goal from Smith proved to be the essential tiebreaker, thereby allowing them to progress to the finals for a third consecutive time to face {{wp|Argentina}} where following a 53rd-minute goal from Smith and a 79th-minute counter-goal from {{wp|Enzo Pérez}} the two sides subsequently faced one another in a penalty shootout that {{wp|England}} ultimately won it 4-2 to secure a record-breaking third consecutive {{wp|World Cup}} title in what was almost an exact mirror of {{wp|Argentina}}'s 4-3 win over {{wp|England}} on penalties in the {{wp|1998 FIFA World Cup}} quarter-finals for which their third title triumph was considered by fans to be the perfect revenge against their infamous rivals. Nonetheless, shortly after the tournament concluded, Smith announced his retirement from international football while also clarifying that although he would continue to play at the club level for a few more years he would otherwise not seek to participate in the upcoming {{wp|UEFA Euro 2016}} with the {{wp|World Cup}} that year itself being his last ever for {{wp|England}} and which he had personally intended to be his "last hurrah". In his absence, {{wp|England}} were later defeated 1-2 by hosts {{wp|France}} in the quarter-finals after having previously annihilated {{wp|Iceland}} 4-0 in the round of 16, thereby resulting in the resignation of longtime head coach {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} shortly afterward following an almost fifteen-years-long tenure, the longest and also the most successful of any {{wp|England}} managers since the late {{wp|Alf Ramsey|Sir Alf Ramsey}}. Regardless, his unprecedented success with the national team cemented the {{wp|Swedish}}-born {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson|manager}} as {{wp|England}}'s most successful manager to date with supporters affectionately referring to him as "King Eric", a nickname that was previously attributed to former {{wp|Manchester United}} player {{wp|Eric Cantona}}. Likewise, in 2014, the {{wp|Swedish}} newspaper {{wp|Dagens Nyheter}} ranked {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson|Eriksson}} the second-greatest {{wp|Swedish}} sportsperson in history behind tennis player {{wp|Björn Borg}} in first and ahead of footballer {{wp|Zlatan Ibrahimovic}} in third.


With a total of 109 goals scored during his time with the {{wp|United States}} in 64 appearances, Smith is the country's all-time goalscorer. Meanwhile, his 160 goals also make him {{wp|England}}'s all-time goalscorer as well as its sixth-most-capped player with 124 appearances. Moreover, Smith is the only player to have scored more than a hundred international goals be it for either the {{wp|United States}} or {{wp|England}} respectively. In this, he also holds the special distinction of being the all-time goalscorer for two football confederations namely {{wp|UEFA}} with {{wp|England}} and {{wp|CONCACAF}} with the {{wp|United States}}.
With a total of 68 goals scored during his time with the {{wp|United States}} in 64 appearances, Smith is the country's all-time goalscorer. Meanwhile, his 160 goals also make him {{wp|England}}'s all-time goalscorer as well as its sixth-most-capped player with 124 appearances. In this, he once held the special distinction of being the all-time goalscorer for two football confederations, namely {{wp|UEFA}} with {{wp|England}} and {{wp|CONCACAF}} with the {{wp|United States}} until {{wp|Stern John}}, who represented the [[West Indies]], surpassed him in the latter with 70 goals to become {{wp|CONCACAF}}'s all-time goalscorer. Regardless, Smith is still the all-time goalscorer for {{wp|UEFA}} with 160 goals scored.


===Great Britain national football team===
===Great Britain national football team===
[[File:Stuart Pearce (31651906441).jpg|250px|thumb|right|Former {{wp|English}} player and manager {{wp|Stuart Pearce}}, who managed the {{wp|Great Britain Olympic football team|Great Britain}}'s football team at the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}]]
[[File:Stuart Pearce (31651906441).jpg|250px|thumb|right|Former {{wp|English}} player and manager {{wp|Stuart Pearce}}, who managed the {{wp|Great Britain Olympic football team|Great Britain}}'s football team at the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}]]
Following the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s successful bid to host the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}, which would take place in the capital city of {{wp|London}}, in the months leading up to the event, Smith, owing to his largely successful track record with {{wp|England}}, was quickly touted as a likely candidate for selection to the {{wp|Great Britain men's Olympic football team}}. However, on December 2011, in light of the impending {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012}} tournament that same year, it was announced by {{wp|The Football Association}} that none of the players chosen for the {{wp|England}} squad for the tournament would be chosen for {{wp|Great Britain}} as well in order to reduce potential player fatigue caused by the relatively short twenty-day gap between the end of the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012}} tournament and the start of the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}. Consequently, the potential omission of Smith from the final {{wp|Great Britain}} lineup proved to be a source of great controversy with pundit {{wp|Gary Lineker}} bemoaning the "missed opportunity for {{wp|Britain}} to display perhaps their greatest footballer ever not just at the {{wp|World Cup}} but also at the {{wp|Olympics}}, an international event that is of much similar prestige and visibility". Despite this, some otherwise defended the decision to omit Smith from the {{wp|Olympics}}, citing the obvious issue of player fatigue and fixture congestion, with then-{{wp|Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport|Culture Secretary}} {{wp|Jeremy Hunt}} stating, ''"As delightful it would have been for Mr. Smith to represent {{wp|Great Britain}} at the {{wp|Olympics}}, we cannot absolutely forget that he also has his own duties for {{wp|England}} in the {{wp|World Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}}, ones that are perhaps more important by comparison"''. However, {{wp|Stuart Pearce}}, the head coach appointed to manage {{wp|Great Britain}} at the ensuing {{wp|Olympics}}, said that Smith's inclusion, in spite of the risks and worries, "remains a possibility", adding, ''"Clearly, even getting a player onboard, especially one like Smith, is not an easy task with many factors at hand to consider. Ultimately, the final decision will be made after a few rounds of quick and productive talks that will help clarify the situation and put it to rest for good"''.   
Following the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s successful bid to host the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}, which would take place in the capital city of {{wp|London}}, in the months leading up to the event, Smith, owing to his largely successful track record with {{wp|England}}, was quickly touted as a likely candidate for selection to the {{wp|Great Britain men's Olympic football team}}. However, on December 2011, in light of the impending {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012}} tournament that same year, it was announced by {{wp|The Football Association}} that none of the players chosen for the {{wp|England}} squad for the tournament would be chosen for {{wp|Great Britain}} as well in order to reduce potential player fatigue caused by the relatively short twenty-day gap between the end of the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012}} tournament and the start of the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}.  
 
Consequently, the potential omission of Smith from the final {{wp|Great Britain}} lineup proved to be a source of great controversy with pundit {{wp|Gary Lineker}} bemoaning the "missed opportunity for {{wp|Britain}} to display perhaps their greatest footballer ever not just at the {{wp|World Cup}} but also at the {{wp|Olympics}}, an international event that is of much similar prestige and visibility". Despite this, some otherwise defended the decision to omit Smith from the {{wp|Olympics}}, citing the obvious issue of player fatigue and fixture congestion, with then-{{wp|Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport|Culture Secretary}} {{wp|Jeremy Hunt}} stating, ''"As delightful it would have been for Mr. Smith to represent {{wp|Great Britain}} at the {{wp|Olympics}}, we cannot absolutely forget that he also has his own duties for {{wp|England}} in the {{wp|World Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}}, ones that are perhaps more important by comparison"''. However, {{wp|Stuart Pearce}}, the head coach appointed to manage {{wp|Great Britain}} at the ensuing {{wp|Olympics}}, said that Smith's inclusion, in spite of the risks and worries, "remains a possibility", adding, ''"Clearly, even getting a player onboard, especially one like Smith, is not an easy task with many factors at hand to consider. Ultimately, the final decision will be made after a few rounds of quick and productive talks that will help clarify the situation and put it to rest for good"''.   
 
Eventually, during a February 2012 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith revealed that he had been officially chosen for and is expected to captain the {{wp|Great Britain}} national team at the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}, stating, ''"Without a doubt, there's the real issue of player fatigue and all that but for me, I have yet to personally experience that fatigue myself, meaning that even if it takes place just twenty days after another major tournament, I'll be ready to show the world a familiar face and the style of football that everyone has come to know and love me for"''. On 26 July 2012, Smith soon made his debut for {{wp|Great Britain}} in a group stage match against {{wp|Senegal}} at {{wp|Old Trafford}} which ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw following a late 82nd-minute equaliser by {{wp|Moussa Konaté (footballer)|Moussa Konaté}}. Nonetheless, in the following group stage match against the {{wp|United Arab Emirates}} at {{wp|Wembley Stadium}}, Smith went on to score his first and only hat-trick for {{wp|Great Britain}} to seal a commanding 6-1 victory over the {{wp|Emiratis}} before proceeding to score a brace in the third and final group stage fixture against {{wp|Uruguay}} at the {{wp|Millennium Stadium}} which saw the match end in a 3-0 win for {{wp|Great Britain}}. Then, in the ensuing quarter-final match against {{wp|South Korea|Korea}}, Smith scored a decisive 46th-minute tiebreaking goal shortly into the second half, allowing {{wp|Great Britain}} to reach the semi-finals via a narrow 2-1 win in which Smith, together with {{wp|Neil Taylor (footballer)|Neil Taylor}} and {{wp|Ryan Bertrand}}, helped deliver a crushing 5-0 win over {{wp|Brazil}}, thus qualifying them further to the finals where they proceeded to defeat {{wp|Mexico}} 2-0 to win the tournament outright with Smith personally adding a 40th-minute goal onto a previous 32nd-minute goal by teammate {{wp|Aaron Ramsey}} to deliver {{wp|Great Britain}}'s 2-0 victory in the finals.


Eventually, during a February 2012 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith revealed that he had been officially chosen for and is expected to captain the {{wp|Great Britain}} national team at the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}, stating, ''"Without a doubt, there's the real issue of player fatigue and all that but for me, I have yet to personally experience that fatigue myself, meaning that even if it takes place just twenty days after another major tournament, I'll be ready to show the world a familiar face and the style of football that everyone has come to know and love me for"''. On 26 July 2012, Smith soon made his debut for {{wp|Great Britain}} in a group stage match against {{wp|Senegal}} at {{wp|Old Trafford}} which ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw following a late 82nd-minute equaliser by {{wp|Moussa Konaté (footballer)|Moussa Konaté}}. Nonetheless, in the following group stage match against the {{wp|United Arab Emirates}} at {{wp|Wembley Stadium}}, Smith went on to score his first and only hat-trick for {{wp|Great Britain}} to seal a commanding 6-1 victory over the {{wp|Emiratis}} before proceeding to score a brace in the third and final group stage fixture against {{wp|Uruguay}} at the {{wp|Millennium Stadium}} which saw the match end in a 3-0 win for {{wp|Great Britain}}. Then, in the ensuing quarter-final match against {{wp|South Korea}}, Smith scored a decisive 46th-minute tiebreaking goal shortly into the second half, allowing {{wp|Great Britain}} to reach the semi-finals via a narrow 2-1 win in which Smith, together with {{wp|Neil Taylor (footballer)|Neil Taylor}} and {{wp|Ryan Bertrand}} helped deliver a crushing 5-0 win over {{wp|Brazil}}, thus qualifying them further to the finals where they proceeded to defeat {{wp|Mexico}} 2-0 to win the tournament outright with Smith personally adding a 40th-minute goal onto a previous 32nd-minute goal by teammate {{wp|Aaron Ramsey}} to deliver {{wp|Great Britain}}'s 2-0 victory in the finals. In the end, with a total of nine goals scored, Smith finished as the tournament's top scorer while his performance, described by the {{wp|BBC}} as "classy and brilliant as always", was mostly met with a positive reception by many with {{wp|Gary Lineker}} jokingly calling Smith "{{wp|Great Britain}}'s ultimate cheat code at the {{wp|Olympics}}" while ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'' hailed him as the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}' "grand performer". Meanwhile, on his part, Smith remarked, ''"Some will say I should've done it and some will say I shouldn't have done it but at the end of the day I gave the fans what they wanted and frankly speaking I feel great!"''.
In the end, with a total of nine goals scored, Smith finished as the tournament's top scorer while his performance, described by the {{wp|BBC}} as "classy and brilliant as always", was mostly met with a positive reception by many with {{wp|Gary Lineker}} jokingly calling Smith "{{wp|Great Britain}}'s ultimate cheat code at the {{wp|Olympics}}" while ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'' hailed him as the {{wp|2012 Summer Olympics}}' "grand performer". Meanwhile, on his part, Smith remarked, ''"Some will say I should've done it and some will say I shouldn't have done it but at the end of the day I gave the fans what they wanted and frankly speaking I feel great!"''.


==Post-Retirement==
==Post-Retirement==
===Ultra Ballon d'Or===
===Ultra Ballon d'Or===
On 11 May 2019, in honour of his 40th birthday, ''{{wp|France Football}}'', in recognition of his "outstanding and one-of-a-kind achievement in football", exclusively awarded Smith the {{wp|Ultra Ballon d'Or}}, a one-off prize considered to be more prestigious than the standard {{wp|Ballon d'Or}} (of which he currently has ten) and even the equally rare {{wp|Super Ballon d'Or}} awarded to {{wp|Real Madrid}} legend {{wp|Alfredo Di Stefano}} who was notably crucial in establishing the club's dominance both domestically and abroad throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Featuring a gold-laden ball on top of a gold-laden vase with four outstretched "arms" covering the ball and which symbolically represents Smith's four record-breaking {{wp|World Cup}} trophies, the award has since been in his private possession along with his other footballing honours.
On 11 May 2019, in honour of his 40th birthday, ''{{wp|France Football}}'', in recognition of his "outstanding and one-of-a-kind achievement in football", exclusively awarded Smith the {{wp|Ultra Ballon d'Or}}, a one-off prize considered to be more prestigious than the standard {{wp|Ballon d'Or}} (of which he currently has eleven in total) and even the equally rare {{wp|Super Ballon d'Or}} awarded to {{wp|Real Madrid}} legend {{wp|Alfredo Di Stefano}} who was notably crucial in establishing the club's dominance both domestically and abroad throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Featuring a gold-laden ball on top of a gold-laden vase with four outstretched "arms" covering the ball and which symbolically represents Smith's four record-breaking {{wp|World Cup}} trophies, the award has since been in his private possession along with his other footballing honours, reportedly in a locked room inside {{wp|Buckingham Palace}} for which an exclusive key possessed only by Smith himself is needed to enter.


Around September 2021, several media outlets reported that Smith had personally acquired the prestigious {{wp|Super Ballon d'Or}} formerly belonging to {{wp|Alfredo Di Stefano}} whose children opted to sell the late {{wp|Argentine}} footballer's memorabilia with the {{wp|Super Ballon d'Or}}, among other things, ended up being bought by an anonymous buyer during an auction event. In response, while neither confirming nor denying his rumoured ownership of the award, Smith remarked, ''"Wherever it is now, I dare say that an award of such incomparable prestige and status is currently in the hands of someone who deserves it the most among many others"''. On the other hand, one of {{wp|Alfredo Di Stefano|Di Stefano}}'s children, in an interview with {{wp|Marca (newspaper)|''Marca''}}, appeared to subtly suggest that Smith is indeed in possession of the award, stating, ''"Of course, out of principle, I won't say who actually bought it but the person who did was very special and who, by all means, really deserves to own it now"''.
Around September 2021, several media outlets reported that Smith had personally acquired the prestigious {{wp|Super Ballon d'Or}} formerly belonging to {{wp|Alfredo Di Stefano}} whose children opted to sell the late {{wp|Argentine}} footballer's memorabilia with the {{wp|Super Ballon d'Or}}, among other things, ended up being bought by an anonymous buyer during an auction event. In response, while neither confirming nor denying his rumoured ownership of the award, Smith remarked, ''"Wherever it is now, I dare say that an award of such incomparable prestige and status is currently in the hands of someone who deserves it the most among many others"''. On the other hand, one of {{wp|Alfredo Di Stefano|Di Stefano}}'s children, in an interview with {{wp|Marca (newspaper)|''Marca''}}, appeared to subtly suggest that Smith is indeed in possession of the award, stating, ''"Of course, out of principle, I won't say who actually bought it but the person who did was very special and who, by all means, really deserves to own it now"''.


===Football Honours===
===Football Honours===
In the aftermath of his retirement from football, {{wp|The Football Association}} announced that the {{wp|FA Community Shield}}, beginning from the {{wp|2015 FA Community Shield|2015}} edition, would instead feature Smith's own name on the trophy similar to that of the {{wp|Johan Cruyff Shield}} in the {{wp|Netherlands}}. To that end, the first edition since the rebranding was contested between {{wp|Premier League}} winners {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} and {{wp|FA Cup}} winners {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} at {{wp|Wembley Stadium}}, {{wp|London}}, with {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} ultimately winning it 1-0 via a 24th-minute goal from {{wp|Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain}}. Meanwhile, on 16 September 2017, as a respected ex-player of {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, Smith personally attended the first match held at the club's new stadium {{wp|Metropolitano Stadium|Estadio de los Santos}} ({{wp|English}}: ''Stadium of Saints'') in which {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} defeated {{wp|Málaga CF|Málaga}} 1-0 via a lone goal from {{wp|Antoine Griezmann}} to commemorate the opening of their new home ground. In addition, a bronze statue depicting the two was also unveiled at the entrance to the stadium as a tribute to the duo's hugely successful collective effort in establishing {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} as a true fighting force in {{wp|La Liga}} against the likes of {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}. Meanwhile, on 30 August 2020, in commemorating the tenth anniversary of his first match for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, the club further named him "Life President" with club president {{wp|Enrique Cerezo}} stating, ''"For much of its existence, none other than William Smith have proven to be an unquestionably consequential and important player in delivering some of the club's greatest successes for which it is only right that he should be honoured with an extremely rare appointment of the kind"''. The occasion, held remotely via {{wp|Zoom Video Communications|Zoom}} due to {{wp|COVID-19}} restrictions, saw the attendance of the club's president and chief executive officer {{wp|Enrique Cerezo}} and {{wp|Miguel Ángel Gil Marín}} as well as current and several former {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} players with Smith himself being the event's guest of honour.  
In the aftermath of his retirement from football, {{wp|The Football Association}} announced that the {{wp|FA Community Shield}}, beginning from the {{wp|2020 FA Community Shield|2020}} edition, would instead feature Smith's own name on the trophy similar to that of the {{wp|Johan Cruyff Shield}} in the {{wp|Netherlands}}. To that end, the first edition since the rebranding was contested between {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} with the former ultimately winning it 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, on 30 August 2020, in commemorating the tenth anniversary of his first match for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, the club further named him "Life President" with club president {{wp|Enrique Cerezo}} stating, ''"For much of its existence, none other than William Smith have proven to be an unquestionably consequential and important player in delivering some of the club's greatest successes for which it is only right that he should be honoured with an extremely rare appointment of the kind"''. The occasion, held remotely via {{wp|Zoom Video Communications|Zoom}} due to {{wp|COVID-19}} restrictions, saw the attendance of the club's president and chief executive officer {{wp|Enrique Cerezo}} and {{wp|Miguel Ángel Gil Marín}} as well as current and several former {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} players with Smith himself being the event's guest of honour.
 
On 22 July 2016, a testimonial match between two of Smith's former clubs {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} was held at the {{wp|Michigan Stadium}} in {{wp|Michigan}}, {{wp|United States}}. Intended to commemorate the former striker's contributions to both football clubs, the match recorded an official attendance of 109,614 spectators, a new record crowd for a soccer match in the {{wp|United States}}, having surpassed the previous record of 109,318 spectators that attended the {{wp|2014 International Champions Cup}} match between {{wp|Real Madrid}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} on 2 August 2014. Meanwhile, in addition to the record crowd, the match also saw the attendance of various celebrities including {{wp|David Beckham}}, {{wp|Serena Williams}}, {{wp|Leonardo DiCaprio}}, former soccer players {{wp|Landon Donovan}}, {{wp|Alexi Lalas}}, {{wp|Claudio Reyna}}, as well as {{wp|US}} {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama}} while Smith, together with his {{wp|Anne Hathaway|wife}} and children, attended the match as guests of honour. Kicking off at 9:30 a.m., the match first saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} initially take the lead in the 3rd minute via a goal from striker {{wp|Kevin Gameiro}} before {{wp|Manchester United}} right-back {{wp|Antonio Valencia}} then scored an equalising goal just a minute later to level the score. Then, an own-goal in the 20th minute by midfielder {{wp|Yannick Carrasco}} saw {{wp|Manchester United}} instead take the lead for the first time but not before {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} later equalised with a goal in the 27th minute from striker {{wp|Antoine Griezmann}} with assistance from {{wp|Yannick Carrasco|Carrasco}} himself after which the {{wp|Spanish}} club proceeded to break the deadlock and establish a 3-2 lead to conclude the first half with a goal in the 39th minute from center-back {{wp|Diego Godín}} with assistance from attacking midfielder {{wp|Nicolás Gaitán}}. Then, in the ensuing second half, {{wp|Nicolás Gaitán|Gaitán}} provided yet another assist for a 53rd-minute goal from {{wp|Yannick Carrasco|Carrasco}} to make it 4-2 while a goal from left-back {{wp|Filipe Luís}} with the assistance of right-back {{wp|Juanfran (footballer, born 1985)|Juanfran}} in the 60th-minute saw {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} make it 5-2 which remained that way until the end of the match and ending in a firm victory for {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} whose midfielder {{wp|Nicolás Gaitán}} was later named player of the match. In the end, the testimonial match itself successfully raised an estimated total of $22 million in revenue with the vast majority of it going to charity.
 
On May 2019, in honour of his 40th birthday, Smith was made an honorary {{wp|Field marshal (United Kingdom)|field marshal}} in the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s {{wp|British Army}}. The gesture, a first for a former athlete, was reportedly done in reference to his most popular nickname of "The General" among football fans and supporters who began using the nickname in reference to Smith's exemplary leadership as captain for both club and country particularly in reference to his commanding presence and ability to inspire a team under any circumstances. Then, amidst debates over the merit of an ultimately honorary appointment, {{wp|British Army}}'s {{wp|Chief of the General Staff}} {{wp|General (United Kingdom)|General}} {{wp|Mark Carleton-Smith|Sir Mark Carleton-Smith}} defended the honorary promotion, stating, ''"Ultimately, as everyone knows, it is nothing more than an honorary appointment rather than an actual one which means the {{wp|British Army}} will continue to operate as it has been even if a former athlete was made a field marshal or the sort. However, in light of his absolutely outstanding achievements, it is not exactly wrong to say that even for an honorary promotion, such recognition is arguably warranted especially for someone who is rightfully known as 'The General'"''.


In 2021, along with longtime rival {{wp|Thierry Henry}} and the {{wp|Premier League}}'s all-time goalscorer {{wp|Alan Shearer}}, Smith was inducted into the {{wp|Premier League Hall of Fame}}, with {{wp|The Football Association}} chairman {{wp|Peter McCormick}} lauding Smith as the "greatest player in {{wp|Premier League}} history with an incomparable goalscoring prowess and an unmatched all-around talent". Similarly, {{wp|La Liga}} president {{wp|Javier Tebas}} hailed Smith as a "revolutionary player who effectively changed the landscape of {{wp|La Liga}}" while {{wp|United States Soccer Federation}} president {{wp|Cindy Parlow Cone}} described Smith as "the greatest player to have ever come from {{wp|Major League Soccer}}", adding, ''"Undoubtedly, all {{wp|Major League Soccer}} players, new or old, will be holding themselves to the highest standard in none other than William Smith himself"''. In this, owing to his {{wp|American}} background, {{wp|ESPN}} once wrote, ''"In the {{wp|United States}}, where {{wp|basketball}} and {{wp|American football}} each has its icons in {{wp|Michael Jordan}} and {{wp|Tom Brady}}, {{wp|soccer}} has William Smith as its very own face and icon"''.
In 2021, along with longtime rival {{wp|Thierry Henry}} and the {{wp|Premier League}}'s all-time goalscorer {{wp|Alan Shearer}}, Smith was inducted into the {{wp|Premier League Hall of Fame}}, with {{wp|The Football Association}} chairman {{wp|Peter McCormick}} lauding Smith as the "greatest player in {{wp|Premier League}} history with an incomparable goalscoring prowess and an unmatched all-around talent". Similarly, {{wp|La Liga}} president {{wp|Javier Tebas}} hailed Smith as a "revolutionary player who effectively changed the landscape of {{wp|La Liga}}" while {{wp|United States Soccer Federation}} president {{wp|Cindy Parlow Cone}} described Smith as "the greatest player to have ever come from {{wp|Major League Soccer}}", adding, ''"Undoubtedly, all {{wp|Major League Soccer}} players, new or old, will be holding themselves to the highest standard in none other than William Smith himself"''. In this, owing to his {{wp|American}} background, {{wp|ESPN}} once wrote, ''"In the {{wp|United States}}, where {{wp|basketball}} and {{wp|American football}} each has its icons in {{wp|Michael Jordan}} and {{wp|Tom Brady}}, {{wp|soccer}} has William Smith as its very own face and icon"''.


===Business Interests===
===The FA Presidency===
Since his retirement from professional football, with the main stated aim of achieving financial stability post-retirement while also building up his own wealth independent from that of his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]]'s, Smith has embarked on a multitude of business ventures himself, signing various lucrative sponsorship deals with companies including {{wp|Armani}}, {{wp|Mercedes-Benz}}, and {{wp|Louis Vuitton}}. In addition, he is also the founder of his own "exquisite" wine brand named "The King's Drink" which he first launched in 2020.
In his capacity as {{wp|The Football Association}} president, Smith is known to be a somewhat vocal figure on several issues including equal pay and player fatigue, having occasionally proposed several measures and initiatives meant to address both issues respectively. In this regard, Smith has also come to be known for his somewhat confrontational approach with the international governing body of {{wp|FIFA}}, who he has at times vocally criticised, especially those relating to the controversial hosting rights awarded to {{wp|Russia}} and {{wp|Qatar}} for the {{wp|World Cup}} as well as the organisation's decision to expand the size of major international tournaments including the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} and the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} which he argued was placing more physical strain on players, especially those who have already played a considerable number of matches at club level. During a 2023 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith remarked, ''"The clear and unmistakable problem with these bloated and glorified expansions is that to some extent these decisions felt like it was about making more money for the executives at the top than it is to rather meaningfully better the game of football itself which is undoubtedly upheld by the tens of players around the world who will now surely be looking at playing a much larger number of physically demanding games or being temporarily excluded from some of the games so as to prevent them from essentially getting hurt from doing too much work than what the human body can take"''.  
 
In addition to his various sponsorship deals, Smith has since also acquired a stake as a minority shareholder in several sports clubs including his former club, the {{wp|La Liga}} side {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, {{wp|Major League Soccer}}'s {{wp|Los Angeles FC}}, {{wp|National Football League}}'s {{wp|San Francisco 49ers}}, {{wp|National Basketball Association}}'s {{wp|Los Angeles Lakers}}, and {{wp|National Women's Soccer League}}'s {{wp|Angel City FC}}.
 
===Honorary Advisor & The FA President===
[[File:Official portrait of Chloe Smith MP crop 2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|Chloe Smith}}, {{wp|Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament}} for {{wp|Norwich North (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich North}} and currently {{wp|Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport}} since 2016]]
Shortly after his retirement, given his overall success and recognition in the sport, Smith was initially considered for the position of an "honorary advisor" to the {{wp|British}} government, specifically in matters relating exclusively to sports. However, out of an apparent desire to distance himself from football for some time, such an appointment was rejected by Smith. However, in 2018, it was then announced that Smith had accepted the position of an honorary advisor to the {{wp|Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport}}, which has been held by {{wp|Chloe Smith}} since 2016. In that same year, Smith was also appointed as the new president of {{wp|The Football Association}}, replacing his uncle [[Prince Nelson of the United Kingdom|Prince Nelson]] in that position.
 
As an honorary advisor to the {{wp|Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport}}, Smith has largely taken to advise the government on issues concerning sports, primarily football, a sport that he himself is personally connected to. Regarding this, Smith has been a vocal figure for further expansion of access to the sport for both genders, male and female, stating, ''"As we've come to see in recent years, it's been well proven that both our men's and women's national teams are of winning quality and with the right manager and players can win whatever tournament they seek to. To only prioritise one over the other on the basis of rather dubious or questionable reasons is just criminal and it would be more or less like cutting one's hand off while leaving the other intact which makes absolutely no sense at all and is ultimately self-defeating"''. Following {{wp|England women's national football team|England Women}}'s back-to-back victory at the {{wp|2019 FIFA Women's World Cup}}, Smith announced the start of a nationwide initiative called "One England" with the primary aims of "ensuring access to football for over 50% and onwards of {{wp|English}} boys and girls", "develop productive academy systems for future prospects of both genders", and "achieving as well as maintaining both continental and global success in both men's and women's football". Speaking during the launch of the initiative at the {{wp|St George's Park National Football Centre|St George's Park}}, Smith remarked, ''"From this point onwards, as it should have been, {{wp|England}} will strive to and look to ensure its inevitable dominance in football, be it men's or women's, for the sport is now not only played by ome group of people but ultimately by all where in the immediate feature {{wp|England}} will be the undisputed masters be it in the men's youth and seniors as well as the women's youth and seniors and essentially all there is to take"''.
 
In his capacity as {{wp|The Football Association}} president, Smith is known to be a somewhat vocal figure on a number of issues including equal pay and player fatigue, having occasionally proposed several measures and initiatives meant to address both issues respectively. In this regard, Smith has also come to be known for his somewhat confrontational approach with the international governing body of {{wp|FIFA}}, who he has at times vocally criticised, especially those relating to the controversial hosting rights awarded to {{wp|Russia}} and {{wp|Qatar}} for the {{wp|World Cup}}, as well as the organisation's decision to expand the size of major international tournaments including the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} and the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} which he argued was placing more physical strain on players, especially those who have already played a considerable number of matches at club level. During a 2023 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith remarked, ''"The clear and unmistakable problem with these bloated and glorified expansions is that to some extent these decisions felt like it was about making more money for the executives at the top than it is to rather meaningfully better the game of football itself which is undoubtedly upheld by the tens of players around the world who will now surely be looking at playing a much larger number of physically demanding games or being temporarily excluded from some so as to prevent them from essentially getting hurt from doing too much work than what the human body can take"''.
 
In recent years, Smith has also been a vocal figure against what he deemed to be the "oilification" of the {{wp|Premier League}}, pointing to the state ownerships of football clubs {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Newcastle United}} by the {{wp|United Arab Emirates}} and {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} respectively in which both countries are similarly authoritarian states in the {{wp|Middle East}}. In addition, Smith has also spoken against the trend of famous {{wp|European}} football stars such as {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}, {{wp|N'Golo Kanté}}, {{wp|Karim Benzema}}, and {{wp|Neymar}} to the {{wp|Saudi Pro League}}. Describing the trend as "Chinese Super League 2.0", Smith remarked, ''"Not too long ago, we saw a particular country trying to jump-start their footballing industry by bringing in big {{wp|European}} names often with huge salaries and whatnot. Now, it's clear that such a trend has emerged once again, and unless a sudden miracle arises, it's safe to say that this one will perhaps meet the same impending demise as its predecessor had"''. In this, Smith has also occasionally criticised the move of perceived young talents to {{wp|Saudi}} football including {{wp|RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo}}'s {{wp|Gabri Veiga}} in which the former echoed {{wp|German}} footballer {{wp|Toni Kroos}} calling {{wp|Gabri Veiga|Veiga}}'s move to {{wp|Saudi}} club {{wp|Al-Ahli Saudi FC|Al-Ahli}} "embarrassing", stating, ''"At just twenty-one and even being apparently in the radar of some of {{wp|Europe}}'s biggest clubs, to even move to some unknown club in a subpar league is just baffling and dare I say idiotic. At around that age, I was already looking to move to {{wp|Manchester United}}, my childhood club, and not to some unknown club in {{wp|China}} or in this case {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}"''. Meanwhile, during his farewell speech as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} head coach, in a subtle reference to state-owned clubs such as {{wp|Manchester City}}, {{wp|Paris Saint-Germain}}, and {{wp|Newcastle United}}, Smith publicly warned them to "not make me come back" while pointing to his successes as head coach over both {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Paris Saint-Germain}} in the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} which included a 4-1 win over the former in the 2021 finals and a 4-2 win on aggregate over the latter in the 2019-20 semi-finals.
 
===Politics & Social Causes===
[[File:Ivan Toney 16-08-2014 1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|Ivan Toney}}, who currently plays as a forward for {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}}. As of present, he is currently suspended by {{wp|The Football Association}} for gambling offences]]
A vocal environmentalist, Smith has been an advocate of a "green market economy", supporting "eco-friendly" alternatives such as nuclear energy as well as electronic vehicles (EVs), the latter for which he has also advocated for mass commercialisation so as to lessen its traditionally expensive and luxurious status and therefore make it generally affordable for many, stating, ''"Just as how there are luxurious cars as well as the standard affordable ones running on gasoline, electric cars should also be the same way and not a strictly luxurious commodity for the ultra-rich but rather for all who will stand to benefit much in the future from acquiring it"''. In the meantime, Smith has also vocally expressed support for "cheap but effective" public transport as well as being in favour of {{wp|nuclear energy}}, stating in a 2019 interview, ''"By pure logic, it is a bit weird that the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, one of the world's major nuclear powers, is not seemingly exploiting its status for non-military purposes. After all, nuclear energy is obviously not just for bombing cities but to also power them more effectively than traditional energy sources"''. Since 2016, Smith has been a registered party member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} and has also actively supported the ultimately successful Remain campaign in favour of the {{wp|United Kingdom}} remaining within the {{wp|European Union}}. Regardless, in spite of his party affiliation, Smith is said to be "close friends" with former {{wp|Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative}} prime minister {{wp|David Cameron}} whom he once referred to as "a close friend of mine named David but not the one who plays football".
 
Around May 2023, in response to a temporary ban imposed on {{wp|English}} footballer and {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}} forward {{wp|Ivan Toney}} by authorities on several counts of rule-breaking betting, Smith has vocally advocated for a "complete purge" of gambling-related entities from football, particularly {{wp|Sky Bet}} which has been the main sponsor for the {{wp|EFL Championship}}, stating, ''"Admittedly, the {{wp|EFL Championship|Championship}} might not be as prestigious as the {{wp|Premier League}} but that's not exactly and should not be the sole reason as to why a different company not related to gambling at all could not be chosen as the new sponsor"''. Pointing to the sponsorship of the {{wp|Ligue 2}} and {{wp|Serie B}} leagues by {{wp|Indian}} tyre company {{wp|Balkrishna Industries}}, Smith has at times called for a "{{wp|British}} non-gambling alternative" to be considered as the new sponsor and successor to {{wp|Sky Bet}}. Later, Smith would again call for the "complete eradication of the disease of gambling from football" after {{wp|Italian}} footballer {{wp|Sandro Tonali}}, who plays as a midfielder for {{wp|Newcastle United}}, was also banned from footballing activities over gambling offences.
 
During a 2023 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, citing ex-{{wp|England}} teammate {{wp|David Beckham}}'s controversial ambassadorship role for the {{wp|2022 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Qatar}}, Smith declared that he would not take up such a role for the {{wp|2026 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Canada}}, {{wp|United States}}, and {{wp|Mexico}} should the {{wp|United States}} re-elect controversial {{wp|Republican Party (United States)|Republican}} politician {{wp|Donald Trump}} in the {{wp|2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election}}, stating, ''"While I'm well aware of the stature and prestige I hold among {{wp|American}} soccer fans I could never truly bring myself to participate as an ambassador or the like if the country I was to promote has an extremist leader like {{wp|Donald Trump}} or any of his far-right mates in power"''. Otherwise, Smith, a supporter of the {{wp|Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party}} and to an extent, incumbent {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Joe Biden}}, has pledged that he will "do his best" should {{wp|Joe Biden|Biden}} be re-elected for a second term, stating, ''"It's been a while since I've been away from the {{wp|American}} soccer scene and I think the {{wp|World Cup}} in 2026 is a good time for me to finally come back after almost thirteen years long"''.
 
Around August 2023, amidst rumours that Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} was potentially seeking to reintroduce suspended academy graduate {{wp|Mason Greenwood}} back into the first team after an almost year long absence caused by his arrest over charges of rape and assault (which were later dropped by the {{wp|Crown Prosecution Service}}), Smith, along with a host of other influential figures, vocally opposed the club's decision with the former {{wp|Manchester United}} forward calling it "the new biggest mistake from the wretched {{wp|Glazer family|Glazers}} since the {{wp|European Super League}}". In addition, during an interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}} that same month, Smith publicly expressed his opposition towards {{wp|Mason Greenwood|Greenwood}}'s return, stating, ''"Under no circumstances shall I ever see a damn rapist at my beloved football club"''. Moreover, the former {{wp|Manchester United}} captain also threatened to hand over his season ticket back in protest over the move although this was never ultimately carried out when the club announced that {{wp|Mason Greenwood|Greenwood}} would be loaned to minor {{wp|La Liga}} side {{wp|Getafe CF|Getafe}} for the ensuing 2023-24 season before eventually returning to his parent club at the end of his loan.
 
Owing to his {{wp|Jewish}} roots through his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]], Smith has vocally spoken out against {{wp|anti-Semitism}}, calling it "one of the great terrible diseases in existence". In this, regarding the ongoing conflict between {{wp|Israel}} and {{wp|Palestine}}, Smith has occasionally expressed support for the {{wp|Jewish}} citizens involved in the conflict while also urging both sides to adhere to the two-state solution. Speaking during the funeral of former {{wp|Israeli}} statesman {{wp|Shimon Peres}}, Smith remarked, ''"There is no doubt among many that the only end goal of this conflict is for both countries to co-exist in peace and with mutually accepted borders. To say otherwise is to only invite much further harm and trouble that will only persist to no end"''.
 
===US Soccer Reforms===
Owing to his history of being a former {{wp|United States}} international and whose footballing career initially started in the {{wp|United States}} with {{wp|Major League Soccer}}'s {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith has been a vocal figure for reforms concerning the country's soccer scene, stating, ''"As much as I'm an {{wp|Englishman}} now, I'll never forget my {{wp|American}} roots especially when it comes to football because I started my career not in the {{wp|Premier League}} but in {{wp|Major League Soccer}}, something that I hope young {{wp|Americans}} playing soccer today could one day emulate in their own way"''. Incidentally, a number of professional footballers from {{wp|Major League Soccer}} have since gone on to either the {{wp|Premier League}} or other major {{wp|European}} football leagues including {{wp|NFFC|Nottingham Forest}}'s {{wp|Matt Turner (soccer)|Matt Turner}}, {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}}'s {{wp|Giovanni Reyna}}, {{wp|AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth}}'s {{wp|Tyler Adams}}, and {{wp|Juventus}}' {{wp|Timothy Weah}}, son of the {{wp|Liberian}} politician and former professional footballer {{wp|George Weah}} who is considered to be one of the greatest {{wp|African}} players of all time.  


Domestically, Smith has argued for either a phasing out or a complete abolition of {{wp|Major League Soccer}}'s longstanding draft system with its preferred substitute being the academy system seen in most {{wp|European}} football leagues. In a 2019 interview with {{wp|ESPN}}, he said, ''"Personally, I was rather fortunate to have been chosen for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} because that's the team I wanted to actually play for but at the same time, in an alternate scenario, I could have been chosen for some other team and legally I cannot do anything to change that unless the club I wanted is willing to trade a player for me instead"''. Moreover, Smith has also criticised the draft system's concentration on college players, stating, ''"As someone who has spent at least a decade abroad playing for some of the biggest {{wp|European}} clubs, I can safely say that most of the players that one would call greats of the game didn't even go to college. With that in mind, back in the {{wp|United States}}, it is safe to say that these players wouldn't have even touched the ball for a minute given the circumstances"''.
In recent years, Smith has also been a vocal figure against what he deemed to be the "oilification" of the {{wp|Premier League}}, pointing to the state ownership of football clubs {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Newcastle United}} by the {{wp|United Arab Emirates}} and {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} respectively in which both countries are similarly authoritarian states in the {{wp|Middle East}}. In addition, Smith has also spoken against the trend of famous {{wp|European}} football stars such as {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}}, {{wp|N'Golo Kanté}}, {{wp|Karim Benzema}}, and {{wp|Neymar}} to the {{wp|Saudi Pro League}}. Describing the trend as "Chinese Super League 2.0", Smith remarked, ''"Not too long ago, we saw a particular country trying to jump-start their footballing industry by bringing in big {{wp|European}} names often with huge salaries and whatnot. Now, it's clear that such a trend has emerged once again, and unless a sudden miracle arises, it's safe to say that this one will perhaps meet the same impending demise as its predecessor had"''. Meanwhile, beginning from around late 2023, amidst reports of players including {{wp|Jordan Henderson}} and {{wp|Karim Benzema}} looking to leave the {{wp|Saudi Pro League}}, Smith slyly remarked, ''"Quite a surprise that after just a year or so, some of these very generous and charitable football stars are looking to leave already. Logically speaking, how are they going to help grow the very terrific {{wp|Saudi}} football within just a year or so? As everyone knows, {{wp|Rome}} was not built in a day"''. Subsequently, after spending several months in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}, {{wp|Jordan Henderson}} did indeed return to {{wp|Europe}}, namely in the form of a transfer to the {{wp|Eredivisie}} club {{wp|AFC Ajax|Ajax}}.


Meanwhile, on the international side, Smith has also particularly advocated for a change in confederation for the {{wp|United States}}, currently a member of {{wp|CONCACAF}} alongside the likes of {{wp|Canada}}, {{wp|Mexico}}, and smaller {{wp|Caribbean}} nations. Citing the perceived "uncompetitive" nature of the confederation, Smith has called for the {{wp|United States}} to either switch to {{wp|CONMEBOL}} where it would face the likes of footballing powerhouses {{wp|Argentina}} and {{wp|Brazil}} or {{wp|UEFA}} where they would otherwise face several {{wp|World Cup}} champions including the likes of {{wp|England}}, {{wp|France}}, {{wp|Germany}}, and {{wp|Italy}} which Smith argued would serve as better opposition for the {{wp|United States}} especially in anticipation of future {{wp|World Cup}} tournaments. In this, Smith has also criticised the apparent elitism present in the {{wp|American}} soccer scene, citing the incident between former {{wp|United States}} internationals {{wp|Claudio Reyna}} and {{wp|Gregg Berhalter}}, the latter currently serving as head coach of the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States men's national team}}, over playing time and treatment towards the former's son and current {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}} midfielder {{wp|Giovanni Reyna}}, stating, ''"People used to believe and sometimes joke about how these things usually happen during soccer practices involving children and teenagers but now it's just rather shameful and embarrassing to see that this disease of sports elitism has directly made its way into the country's very own national team"''. Then, he also added, ''"Quite ironically, my own [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] was the literal king of a country and yet he never really interfered or tried to stick his nose into things that he shouldn't like my football career even if I'm his own son who could have pretty much got anything I wanted simply due to who my [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] was"''.
===Political & Social Causes===
[[File:Ivan Toney 16-08-2014 1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|{{wp|Ivan Toney}}, who currently plays as a forward for {{wp|Premier League}} club {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}}. From May 2023 to January 2024, he was officially banned from football for a series of betting offenses]]
A vocal environmentalist, Smith has been an advocate of a "green market economy", supporting "eco-friendly" alternatives such as nuclear energy as well as electronic vehicles (EVs), the latter for which he has also advocated for mass commercialisation so as to lessen its traditionally expensive and luxurious status and therefore make it generally affordable for many, stating, ''"Just as how there are luxurious cars as well as the standard affordable ones running on gasoline, electric cars should also be the same way and not a strictly luxurious commodity for the ultra-rich but rather for all who will stand to benefit much in the future from acquiring it"''. In the meantime, Smith has also vocally expressed support for "cheap but effective" public transport as well as being in favour of {{wp|nuclear energy}}, stating in a 2019 interview, ''"By pure logic, it is a bit weird that the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, one of the world's major nuclear powers, is not seemingly exploiting its status for non-military purposes. After all, nuclear energy is obviously not just for bombing cities but to also power them more effectively than traditional energy sources"''. Since 2014, Smith has been a registered party member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} and has also actively supported the ultimately successful Remain campaign in favour of the {{wp|United Kingdom}} remaining within the {{wp|European Union}}. Regardless, in spite of his party affiliation, Smith is said to be "close friends" with former {{wp|Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative}} prime minister {{wp|David Cameron}} whom he once referred to as "a close friend of mine named David but not the one who plays football".


===Future Prospects===
Around May 2023, in response to a temporary ban imposed on {{wp|English}} footballer and {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}} forward {{wp|Ivan Toney}} by authorities on several counts of rule-breaking betting, Smith has vocally advocated for a "complete purge" of gambling-related entities from football, particularly {{wp|Sky Bet}} which has been the main sponsor for the {{wp|EFL Championship}}, stating, ''"Admittedly, the {{wp|EFL Championship|Championship}} might not be as prestigious as the {{wp|Premier League}} but that's not exactly and should not be the sole reason as to why a different company not related to gambling at all should not be chosen as the new sponsor"''. Pointing to the sponsorship of the {{wp|Ligue 2}} and {{wp|Serie B}} leagues by {{wp|Indian}} tyre company {{wp|Balkrishna Industries}}, Smith has at times called for a "{{wp|British}} non-gambling alternative" to be considered as the new sponsor and successor to {{wp|Sky Bet}}. Later, Smith would again call for the "complete eradication of the disease of gambling from football" after {{wp|Italian}} footballer {{wp|Sandro Tonali}}, who plays as a midfielder for {{wp|Newcastle United}}, was also banned from footballing activities over gambling offences.
During a 2022 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, when asked about his future plans after leaving {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} as manager, Smith indicated that he would be "taking a step back for a good few years or so" while also suggesting that he would be returning once more to football potentially as a sports pundit in the footsteps of {{wp|Ian Wright}}, {{wp|Thierry Henry}}, {{wp|Jamie Carragher}}, and {{wp|Roy Keane}}. Meanwhile, when asked if he would be seeking to become a manager of a different club or return back to {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} for a second stint as head coach, Smith said, ''"If it were to happen one day, sure, but as I've said before I personally won't go for clubs that have already won a lot and are guaranteed to do so again and again because for me where's the fun and challenge in that? Otherwise, managing a capable team that just happens to be down on their luck, I'll take that chance in a heartbeat to prove the doubters and critics wrong once again like the previous three times already"''. In a separate interview, when asked if he would ever consider becoming {{wp|England}} head coach himself, Smith replied by suggesting that he would be "somewhat open" to such a job out of "heartfelt patriotism" while again asserting that he will only do so at the right time given the job's highly-demanding nature.
 
On the other hand, Smith has strongly ruled out the possibility of him running for an elected office for sports organisations such as {{wp|UEFA}} or {{wp|FIFA}} in spite of his extensive popularity, stating, ''"Based on what I've seen so far and after an honest reflection of myself, I don't think I'll really fit in with all those bureaucratic people in suits at all"''. In the meantime, Smith himself has been a vocal critic of {{wp|FIFA}}, particularly over their controversial awarding of {{wp|World Cup}} hosting rights to {{wp|Russia}} and {{wp|Qatar}} as well as the planned expansion of the {{wp|World Cup}} which he criticised on the basis of players' welfare. During a 2023 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, he said, ''"At the end of the day, footballers are humans themselves and if there's one thing I'm sure about when it comes to humans is that they aren't tireless robots and you shouldn't therefore treat them like they are robots yourself. As of now, the bureaucrats at {{wp|FIFA}} and {{wp|UEFA}} seem to think otherwise and that players' welfare appears to come second in favour of entertainment and money"''.  


==Managerial Career==
==Managerial Career==
===Tottenham Hotspur===
===Tottenham Hotspur===
[[File:Estadio Benfica April 2013-1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Estádio da Luz}} in {{wp|Lisbon}}, {{wp|Portugal}}, where {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} won its first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title following a 2-1 win over {{wp|Bundesliga}} champions {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in a match played behind closed doors due to the {{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}}]]
[[File:Estadio Benfica April 2013-1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Estádio da Luz}} in {{wp|Lisbon}}, {{wp|Portugal}}, where {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} won its first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title following a 2-1 win over {{wp|Bundesliga}} champions {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in a match played behind closed doors due to the {{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}}]]
A self-professed "champion of the underdogs", following his retirement, Smith had initially voiced interest in coaching perceived "underdog" clubs such as the likes of {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. Soon enough, the firing of {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s {{wp|Mauricio Pochettino}} amidst a poor start to the 2019-20 season on November 19th provided the much-awaited opportunity with Smith himself being quick to apply for the now vacant position of club manager which he was subsequently granted the following day by club chairman {{wp|Daniel Levy (businessman)|Daniel Levy}} with the promise of establishing a "beautiful and deadly attacking style of play" and "achieving the impossible". Following this, Smith's first match in charge came to be an away fixture against {{wp|West Ham United}} on November 23rd that ended in a 3-2 win for {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} which was then followed just a week later with a similar 3-2 win over {{wp|AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth}} and a 2-1 win on December 4th at {{wp|Old Trafford}} with Smith emerging triumphant against his former club of {{wp|Manchester United}}. Then, after a dominant 5-0 win over {{wp|Burnley F.C.|Burnley}} on December 7th, Smith also secured a victory against another major club in {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}, who the club defeated 1-0 via a 37th-minute goal from {{wp|Christian Eriksen}}. Following this, wins against {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion}} and {{wp|Norwich City}}, the latter particularly falling to a {{wp|Harry Kane}} hat-trick, saw him manage to make it eight matches unbeaten by the end of the year in stark contrast to the club's otherwise poor start to the season beforehand. Then, following an unexpected 0-0 draw against {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}} on January 1st, Smith was dealt his first defeat just ten days later in a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} although this was promptly compensated for with a dramatic 2-1 win over {{wp|Watford F.C.|Watford}} in which a 94th-minute goal from {{wp|Christian Eriksen}} in extra time saw {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} successfully come back from defeat after a {{wp|Harry Kane}} equaliser. Following this, a sixteen-match unbeaten streak which included 1-1 draw against {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} on February 22nd, coupled with dominant 3-0 wins over {{wp|Manchester United}} and {{wp|Leicester City}} and a 3-1 win over {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} in the final day saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} achieve a remarkable second-place finish with 87 points ahead of {{wp|Manchester City}} in third and behind {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} in first. Meanwhile, a 1-4 loss to {{wp|Manchester United}} in the {{wp|FA Cup}} and a narrow 2-3 defeat on aggregate to {{wp|Manchester City}} in the {{wp|EFL Cup}} saw Smith unable to win either domestic cups in his maiden season with the club. In spite of this, a shock 4-2 win over {{wp|Paris Saint-Germain}} in the semi-finals and a dramatic 2-1 win over {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in the finals, in which {{wp|Tanguy Ndombele}} scored the tiebreaking goal in extra time after an early {{wp|Hary Kane}} goal was cancelled out by an {{wp|Ivan Perišić}} counter-goal, saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} make history with their first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in an occasion described by {{wp|Peter Drury}} as "the biggest shock of the decade" and by {{wp|Martin Tyler}} as "the greatest football fantasy of the 21st-century". To that end, the club later defeated {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 3-1 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and {{wp|Mexican}} side {{wp|Tigres UANL|Tigres}} 3-0 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, resulting in Smith, who initially took office on an interim basis until the end of the season, to soon formalise a four-year contract amidst rumours of several major clubs looking to poach him from the club.  
A self-professed "champion of the underdogs", following his retirement, Smith had initially voiced interest in coaching perceived "underdog" clubs such as the likes of {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. Soon enough, the firing of {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s {{wp|Mauricio Pochettino}} amidst a poor start to the 2019-20 season on November 19th provided the much-awaited opportunity with Smith himself being quick to apply for the now vacant position of club manager which he was subsequently granted the following day by club chairman {{wp|Daniel Levy (businessman)|Daniel Levy}} with the promise of establishing a "beautiful and deadly attacking style of play" and "achieving the impossible". Following this, Smith's first match in charge came to be an away fixture against {{wp|West Ham United}} on November 23rd that ended in a 3-2 win for {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} which was then followed just a week later with a similar 3-2 win over {{wp|AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth}} and a 2-1 win on December 4th at {{wp|Old Trafford}} with Smith emerging triumphant against his former club {{wp|Manchester United}}. Then, after a dominant 5-0 win over {{wp|Burnley F.C.|Burnley}} on December 7th, Smith also secured a victory against another major club in {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}, who the club defeated 1-0 via a 37th-minute goal from {{wp|Christian Eriksen}}. Following this, wins against {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion}} and {{wp|Norwich City}}, the latter particularly falling to a {{wp|Harry Kane}} hat-trick, saw him manage to make it eight matches unbeaten by the end of the year in stark contrast to the club's otherwise poor start to the season beforehand. Then, following an unexpected 0-0 draw against {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}} on January 1st, Smith was dealt his first defeat just ten days later in a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} although this was promptly compensated for with a dramatic 2-1 win over {{wp|Watford F.C.|Watford}} in which a 94th-minute goal from {{wp|Christian Eriksen}} in extra time saw {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} successfully come back from defeat after a {{wp|Harry Kane}} equaliser. Following this, a sixteen-match unbeaten streak which included a 1-1 draw against {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} on February 22nd, coupled with dominant 3-0 wins over {{wp|Manchester United}} and {{wp|Leicester City}} and a 3-1 win over {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} in the final day saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} achieve a remarkable second-place finish with 87 points ahead of {{wp|Manchester City}} in third and behind {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} in first.  
 
Meanwhile, a 1-4 loss to {{wp|Manchester United}} in the {{wp|FA Cup}} and a narrow 2-3 defeat on aggregate to {{wp|Manchester City}} in the {{wp|EFL Cup}} saw Smith unable to win either domestic cup in his maiden season with the club. Regardless, after beginning his first {{wp|European}} campaign as head coach with a narrow 3-2 win over {{wp|RB Leipzig}}, Smith then faced his former mentor {{wp|Diego Simeone}} whom he went on to defeat 3-2 in extra time before proceeding to remarkably defeat a star-studded {{wp|Paris Saint-Germain}} via a lone goal from {{wp|Son Heung-min}} and eventually reaching their first {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} final where a late {{wp|Tanguy Ndombele}} goal in extra time saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} win their first-ever {{wp|European}} title via a dramatic 2-1 win over {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}} who previously equalised via {{wp|Ivan Perišić}} after {{wp|Harry Kane}} scored first to give his club the lead. Consequently, while Smith became the joint youngest manager with {{wp|José Mourinho}} to win the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, he was also responsible for or was on the same team with the only two {{wp|Asian}} players to have won {{wp|Europe}}'s most prestigious football tournament, {{wp|Park Ji-sung}}, his former {{wp|Manchester United}} teammate, and now {{wp|Son Heung-min}}, one of the players under his management at {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. Regardless, the club went on to defeat {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Sevilla FC|Sevilla}} 3-1 in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}} and {{wp|Mexican}} side {{wp|Tigres UANL|Tigres}} 3-0 in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}}, thereby resulting in Smith, who initially assumed the position on an interim basis until the end of the season, to eventually formalise a four-year contract with the club as head coach after a surprisingly remarkable start that saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} win their first silverware in decades and also their first {{wp|European}} title.  


[[File:HK2021.png|200px|thumb|left|{{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} forward {{wp|Harry Kane}} in action during a 3-0 win over {{wp|Manchester United}} where he scored twice through penalties]]
[[File:HK2021.png|200px|thumb|left|{{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} forward {{wp|Harry Kane}} in action during a 3-0 win over {{wp|Manchester United}} where he scored twice through penalties]]
In the following 2020-21 season, Smith started off rather promisingly with a dominant 4-1 win over {{wp|Everton F.C.|Everton}}, which he soon followed up on with an equally dominant 5-2 win over {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}}. Then, despite a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Newcastle United}}, Smith proved quick to steer the club back onto a dominant winning streak, defeating among others his former club {{wp|Manchester United}} 6-1, {{wp|Manchester City}} 2-0, and {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} 3-0 while otherwise drawing 0-0 with defending champions {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}. Regardless, on December 20th, the club was met with a shock 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Leicester City}} that ended a thirteen-match unbeaten streak although this was promptly made up for with a 2-0 win over {{wp|Wolverhampton Wanderers}} just a week later that preceded a subsequent 3-0 win over {{wp|Leeds United}} and a following 1-0 win over {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}}. In the meantime, the club also drew once again with {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} while otherwise defeating {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion}} 4-0 and losing to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} 1-2. Meanwhile, a shock 3-1 win over {{wp|Manchester City}} would precede a 1-1 draw against {{wp|West Ham United}}, bringing much-renewed hope as {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} then marked a dominant 4-0 victory over {{wp|Burnley F.C.|Burnley}} along with a 2-1 win over {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and most notably a 3-0 win over {{wp|Manchester United}} which saw two penalties awarded to {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} and defender {{wp|Harry Maguire}} being sent off in the 76th minute. In the end, despite a momentary 0-1 loss to {{wp|Aston Villa}} on the penultimate day which preceded an otherwise triumphant 4-2 win over {{wp|Leicester City}}, the club notched a record-high of 91 points to become {{wp|Premier League}} champions for the first time in history, a feat that Smith himself described as "inevitable" owing to the club's second-place finish the season before. In the meantime, a narrow 2-3 loss to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} saw Smith once again unable to win the {{wp|FA Cup}} with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} with a similar fate being met in the {{wp|EFL Cup}} finals with a 1-2 loss to {{wp|Manchester City}} once again barring the club from winning either domestic cups. Nonetheless, a dramatic 7-6 win on aggregate against {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}}, followed by a firm 4-1 win over {{wp|Manchester City}} in which {{wp|Harry Kane}} scored twice with {{wp|Gareth Bale}} and an {{wp|Aymeric Laporte}} own-goal following suit, saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} mark an unprecedented back-to-back {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} glory while also being just one domestic cup short of achieving an equally historic domestic treble. With this, the club then faced {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, defeating them 5-3 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, followed by a 1-0 win over {{wp|Brazilian}} side {{wp|Palmeiras}} in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} and a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Leicester City}} in the {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}}.
In the following 2020-21 season, Smith started rather promisingly with a dominant 4-1 win over {{wp|Everton F.C.|Everton}}, which he soon followed up on with an equally dominant 5-2 win over {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}}. Then, despite a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Newcastle United}}, Smith proved quick to steer the club back onto a dominant winning streak, defeating among others his former club {{wp|Manchester United}} 6-1, {{wp|Manchester City}} 2-0, and {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} 3-0 while otherwise drawing 0-0 with defending champions {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}. Regardless, on December 20th, the club was met with a shock 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Leicester City}} that ended a thirteen-match unbeaten streak although this was promptly made up for with a 2-0 win over {{wp|Wolverhampton Wanderers}} just a week later that preceded a subsequent 3-0 win over {{wp|Leeds United}} and a following 1-0 win over {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}}. In the meantime, the club also drew once again with {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} while also defeating {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion}} 4-0 and losing to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} 1-2. Meanwhile, a shock 3-1 win over {{wp|Manchester City}} would precede a 1-1 draw against {{wp|West Ham United}}, bringing much-renewed hope as {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} then marked a dominant 4-0 victory over {{wp|Burnley F.C.|Burnley}} along with a 2-1 win over {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and most notably a 3-0 win over {{wp|Manchester United}} which saw two penalties awarded to {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} and defender {{wp|Harry Maguire}} being sent off in the 76th minute. In the end, amidst a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Aston Villa}} on the penultimate day which preceded an otherwise triumphant 4-2 win over {{wp|Leicester City}}, the club notched a record-high of 91 points to become {{wp|Premier League}} champions for the first time in history, a feat that Smith himself described as "inevitable" owing to the club's second-place finish the season before. In the meantime, a narrow 2-3 loss to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} saw Smith once again unable to win the {{wp|FA Cup}} with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. A similar fate also befell them in the {{wp|EFL Cup}} finals where a 1-2 loss to {{wp|Manchester City}} once again barred the club from winning either domestic cups. Nonetheless, a dramatic 7-6 win on aggregate against {{wp|La Liga}} giants {{wp|Real Madrid}}, followed by a firm 4-1 win over {{wp|Manchester City}} in which a brace from {{wp|Harry Kane}} which complemented {{wp|Gareth Bale}} goal and an {{wp|Aymeric Laporte}} own-goal saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} mark an unprecedented back-to-back {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} glory while also being just one domestic cup short of achieving an equally historic domestic treble. With this, the club then faced {{wp|UEFA Europa League}} winners {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} in the {{wp|UEFA Super Cup}}, defeating them 5-3 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, followed by a 1-0 win over {{wp|Brazilian}} side {{wp|Palmeiras}} in the {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup}} and a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Leicester City}} in the {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}}.
 
In the meantime, amidst positive on-pitch progress that included the club's first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title, around April 2021, Smith notably threatened to resign from his position as head coach in response to {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s initial participation in the controversial {{wp|European Super League}} project alongside the likes of other {{wp|English}} clubs such as {{wp|Manchester United}}, {{wp|Manchester City}}, {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}, {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}, and {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}. In clarifying his stance during a {{wp|Sky Sports}} interview that same month, Smith remarked, ''"Ask me now or even tomorrow and I'll always say that I love this {{wp|THFC|club}} to the fullest as its manager but at the same time I cannot bear to see it being involved in such a bad project like the {{wp|European Super League|ESL}}. For me, to even keep going on is like swimming through a big ocean of lava which is something that most people would obviously want to avoid or would not enjoy at all despite its rewards"''. In the end, all but the likes of {{wp|Real Madrid}}, {{wp|FC Barcelona|Barcelona}}, and {{wp|Juventus FC|Juventus}} later withdrew from the project amidst overwhelming backlash with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} being one of the earliest to do so amidst reports that club chairman {{wp|Daniel Levy (businessman)|Daniel Levy}}, facing a threat of resignation from Smith who had then led the club to its first {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} glory in just his first year, was soon compelled to withdraw from the project over worries of looking for a capable successor to replicate Smith's unprecedented success with the club. Later, when asked about the club's subsequent withdrawal from the project, Smith said, ''"To simply put it, what happened is that I and {{wp|Daniel Levy|Daniel}} had a talk behind closed doors where we both came to mutually understand that a project like the {{wp|European Super League|ESL}} is objectively bad for football and that a club like {{wp|THFC|Spurs}}, or any other club for that matter, should not be contributing to it any further hence the withdrawal"''. In the meantime, Smith also thanked the club's supporters for "publicly making their voices heard", stating, ''"Regardless of whoever owns a football club, be it a local or a foreigner, they cannot and must not ignore the voices of the fans because as things stand they are the ones who give clubs a life and a soul and who importantly contributes to the players getting paid by paying for tickets and attending matches"''.


In the ensuing 2021-22 season, despite an initial loss to {{wp|Leicester City}} in the {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}}, traditionally considered to be the new season's curtain-raiser, Smith's {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} otherwise made a rather promising start, defeating {{wp|Manchester City}} 1-0 in the opening match and {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} 3-2. However, on September 19th, Smith's club was dealt with a heavy 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}, followed by a 1-1 draw with {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and a 2-1 win over {{wp|Aston Villa}} and a 3-1 win over {{wp|West Ham United}} in which {{wp|Harry Kane}} scored all three penalties to mark a hat-trick in the process. In the meantime, the club also snatched a 2-1 win over Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} in spite of a {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} return to the latter club along with a 3-0 win over {{wp|Norwich City}}. However, {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} was then met with a 0-2 defeat to {{wp|Liverpool}} which otherwise preceded a 3-0 comeback win over {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} and an ensuing 4-0 win over {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}}. Further down the road, in addition to a dominant 5-0 win over {{wp|Burnley F.C.|Burnley}}, the club also defeated the likes of {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} 3-2 and 3-1 respectively to make it twelve matches unbeaten which they only extended via dominant 5-1 and 4-0 wins over {{wp|Newcastle United}} and {{wp|Aston Villa}} respectively to then make it sixteen unbeaten before a 0-2 loss to {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion}} brought an end to the streak. Nonetheless, over the last few days remaining, {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} promptly rebounded with a 2-1 win over {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}}, a 3-1 win over {{wp|Leicester City}}, and a 3-0 win over {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} before eventually concluding the season with a dominant 5-0 win over {{wp|Norwich City}} at which point the club once again emerged {{wp|Premier League}} champions with a record 99 points. Meanwhile, despite a loss to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} that effectively cut short their {{wp|FA Cup}} ambitions, Smith's {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} promptly avenged their defeat at the hands of {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|The Blues}} to then defeat {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} 1-0 to win the {{wp|EFL Cup}} for the first time since the 1998-99 season, almost twenty four years before. In the meantime, Smith himself came close to achieving a third consecutive {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title for {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, defeating the likes of {{wp|Inter Milan}}, {{wp|Benfica}}, and {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} before a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the finals saw them settle for second place. Following this, as {{wp|Premier League}} champions, {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} subsequently contested the {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}} with {{wp|FA Cup}} winners {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} to whom they narrowly lost 2-3.  
In the ensuing 2021-22 season, despite an initial loss to {{wp|Leicester City}} in the {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}}, traditionally considered to be the new season's curtain-raiser, Smith's {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} otherwise made a rather promising start, defeating {{wp|Manchester City}} 1-0 in the opening match and {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} 3-2. However, on September 19th, Smith's club was dealt with a heavy 1-4 defeat to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}, by a 1-1 draw with {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and a 2-1 win over {{wp|Aston Villa}} and a 3-1 win over {{wp|West Ham United}} in which {{wp|Harry Kane}} scored all three penalties to mark a hat-trick in the process. In the meantime, the club also snatched a narrow 2-1 win over Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} despite the return of club legend and Smith's former teammate {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} to {{wp|Old Trafford}} along with a 3-0 win over {{wp|Norwich City}}. However, {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} were then met with a 0-2 defeat to {{wp|Liverpool}} which instead preceded a 3-0 comeback win over {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} and an ensuing 4-0 win over {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}}. Further down the road, in addition to a dominant 5-0 win over {{wp|Burnley F.C.|Burnley}}, the club also defeated the likes of {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} 3-2 and 3-1 respectively to make it twelve matches unbeaten which they only extended via dominant 5-1 and 4-0 wins over {{wp|Newcastle United}} and {{wp|Aston Villa}} to then make it sixteen unbeaten before a 0-2 loss to {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion}} brought an end to the streak. Nonetheless, over the last few days remaining, {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} promptly rebounded with a 2-1 win over {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}}, a 3-1 win over {{wp|Leicester City}}, and a 3-0 win over {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} before eventually concluding the season with a dominant 5-0 win over {{wp|Norwich City}} at which point the club once again emerged {{wp|Premier League}} champions with a record 99 points. Meanwhile, despite a loss to {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} that effectively cut short their {{wp|FA Cup}} ambitions, Smith's {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} promptly avenged their defeat at the hands of {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|The Blues}} to then defeat {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} 1-0 to win the {{wp|EFL Cup}} for the first time since the 1998-99 season, almost twenty-four years before. In the meantime, Smith himself came close to achieving a third consecutive {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title for {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, defeating the likes of {{wp|Inter Milan}}, {{wp|Benfica}}, and {{wp|Villareal CF|Villareal}} before a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the finals saw them settle for second place. Following this, as {{wp|Premier League}} champions, {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} subsequently contested the {{wp|FA Community Shield|William Smith Shield}} with {{wp|FA Cup}} winners {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} to whom they narrowly lost 2-3.  


[[File:Istanbul Atatürk Olympic Stadium 1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Atatürk Olympic Stadium}} in {{wp|Istanbul}}, {{wp|Turkey}}, where a grueling penalty shootout saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} defeat {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} 12-11 on penalties to claim their third {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title in just three years]]
On 6th August 2022, Smith started his final season as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager rather promisingly, grabbing a 4-0 win over {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}} on the opening day. Then, a 1-1 draw against {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} on the second day, followed by several further victories along the way including a dominant 6-1 win over {{wp|West Ham United}}, saw Smith make it seven matches unbeaten straight while major victories afterward over both {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and former club {{wp|Manchester United}} extended it further to eleven matches unbeaten with a 1-3 loss to {{wp|Newcastle United}} on October 23rd bringing an end to the streak. Then, on January 1st 2023, Smith began the new year with a dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|Aston Villa}} which he quickly followed up on just three days later with an equally dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} although the new years' momentum was quickly cut short by subsequent defeats to {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} respectively. Then, amidst a 0-0 draw against {{wp|Leicester City}} and a 2-3 loss to {{wp|Wolverhampton Wanderers}}, a 3-1 win over {{wp|NFFC|Nottingham Forest}} and a 4-2 win over {{wp|Everton F.C.|Everton}} saw the club under Smith rediscover their winning ways by the last few months during which they recorded a dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth}} and a 3-0 win over {{wp|Newcastle United}} although this was then followed by a 1-3 loss to {{wp|Manchester United}} and a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} respectively. Nonetheless, a draw against {{wp|Aston Villa}} and a 3-0 win over {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}} in the closing days ensured that {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} would finish the season with no further defeats as a 4-1 win over {{wp|Leeds United}} on the final day ensured a third-place finish with just one point behind runners-up {{wp|Manchester City}} while {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} secured their first league title in almost two decades. Meanwhile, after previous unsuccessful attempts, a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|Manchester United}} at {{wp|Wembley Stadium}} saw Smith finally win the {{wp|FA Cup}} with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} with the title itself being their first in almost three decades since they last won it in the 1990-91 season. Otherwise, despite recording a shock 3-1 win on aggregate over {{wp|Real Madrid}} in the quarter-finals, a lone goal from {{wp|Naby Keïta}} resulted in {{wp|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s elimination from the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} although Smith's half-brother [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Prince Richard]] later scored a hat-trick to defeat {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} in the finals and deliver {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}}'s first-ever {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} trophy. In any case, as was intended, Smith later announced the end of his time as head coach with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, stating, ''"After several undeniably eventful and challenging years with a remarkable football club like Tottenham Hotspur, it is only right that I should reward myself with some well-deserved rest after all was said and done"''.   
On 6th August 2022, Smith started off his final season as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager rather promisingly, grabbing a 4-0 win over {{wp|Southampton F.C.|Southampton}} on the opening day. Then, a 1-1 draw against {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} on the second day, followed by several further victories along the way including a dominant 6-1 win over {{wp|West Ham United}}, saw Smith make it seven matches unbeaten straight while major victories afterwards over both {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and former club {{wp|Manchester United}} saw him therefore make it eleven matches unbeaten with a 1-3 loss to {{wp|Newcastle United}} on October 23rd bringing an end to the streak. Then, on January 1st 2023, Smith began the new year with a dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|Aston Villa}} which he quickly followed up on just three days later with an equally dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|CPFC|Crystal Palace}} although the new year momentum was quickly cut short by subsequent defeats to {{wp|Manchester City}} and {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} respectively. Then, amidst a 0-0 draw against {{wp|Leicester City}} and a 2-3 loss to {{wp|Wolverhampton Wanderers}}, a 3-1 win over {{wp|NFFC|Nottingham Forest}} and a 4-2 win over {{wp|Everton F.C.|Everton}} saw the club under Smith rediscover their winning ways by the last few months during which they recorded a dominant 4-0 win over {{wp|AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth}} and a 3-0 win over {{wp|Newcastle United}} although this was then followed by a 1-3 loss to {{wp|Manchester United}} and a 0-1 loss to {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} respectively. Nonetheless, a draw against {{wp|Aston Villa}} and a 3-0 win over {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}} in the closing days ensured that {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} would finish the season with no further defeats as a 4-1 win over {{wp|Leeds United}} on the final day ensured a third-place finish with just one point behind runners-up {{wp|Manchester City}} while {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} secured their first league title in almost two decades. Meanwhile, after previous unsuccessful attempts, a dramatic 3-2 win over {{wp|Manchester United}} at {{wp|Wembley Stadium}} saw Smith finally win the {{wp|FA Cup}} with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} with the title itself being their first in almost three decades since they last won it in the 1990-91 season. In the meantime, a shock 3-1 win on aggregate over {{wp|Real Madrid}} and a similarly dramatic 5-4 win on aggregate over {{wp|Manchester City}} saw {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} advance to the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} finals once again where they faced league winners {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} in a fixture that was eventually settled on penalties with {{wp|THFC|Spurs}} eventually winning it 12-11 following a long and grueling contest. Shortly afterwards, Smith announced the end of his tenure as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} head coach, stating that he wished to "take a humble step back after an undeniably challenging as well as a both physically and mentally taxing period", adding, ''"Four years ago, I came with the clear intention and mission of proving that underdogs like {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} can win major titles with the right players and manager. Now, it is without a doubt that I have lived up well to my intentions with the club that I rightfully saw so much potential in and therefore it is with a heavy and humble heart that I say goodbye while also expressing all my gratitude to those who stood with the club at not just its highest highs but also its lowest lows throughout these amazing four years together"''.   


{{Quote box
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  |quote  = "Even if it's just for four years long, I undoubtedly won and did things that others before me couldn't and by all means it was certainly a hundred times better than spending twenty years and winning nothing in the process."
  |quote  = "Even if it's just for four years long, I undoubtedly won and did things that others before me couldn't, and by all means, it was certainly a hundred times better than spending twenty years and winning nothing in the process."
  |author = Smith on his time with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}
  |author = Smith on his time with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}
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In the aftermath of his retirement, the ensuing pre-season matches were overseen by former player {{wp|Ryan Mason}} who took over as interim coach until the club subsequently appointed former {{wp|Celtic F.C.|Celtic}} manager {{wp|Ange Postecoglou}} in time for the later 2023-24 season. Prior to his appointment, {{wp|Ange Postecoglou|Postecoglou}} had also previously managed the {{wp|Australia men's national soccer team|Australia men's national team}} from 2013 to 2017 as well as {{wp|A-League}} sides {{wp|Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory}} and {{wp|Brisbane Roar FC|Brisbane Roar}} and {{wp|J1 League}} side {{wp|Yokohama F. Marinos}}. Meanwhile, as the most decorated and successful {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager of recent times, supporters of the club initially launched a proposal to have the {{wp|Tottenham Hotspur Stadium}} renamed after Smith himself, citing the decision of {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to name their new stadium after Smith and head coach {{wp|Diego Simeone}}. However, the proposal itself was never fully implemented with an eventual compromise instead having the stadium's "North Stand" renamed to "Sir William Smith Stand" in his honour while a bronze statue depicting his likeness was also erected in front of the stadium's entrance. In the meantime, on 19 August 2023, for the opening to {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s first home match since Smith's departure, a commemorative montage was played prior to kick-off which depicted the club's notable victories under his past tenure along with several of his memorable public moments before later concluding with the phrase "Thank You For Everything, Boss". Ironically, the club then defeated Smith's former club {{wp|Manchester United}} 2-0 to secure their first win of the season after a previous 2-2 draw against {{wp|Brentford F.C.|Brentford}}. However, despite a somewhat positive start that saw them lose only twice so far, namely to {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} and {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}}, they were otherwise eliminated early on by {{wp|Fulham F.C.|Fulham}} on penalties in the {{wp|EFL Cup}} and placed last in their {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} group.
In the aftermath of his retirement, the ensuing pre-season matches were overseen by former player {{wp|Ryan Mason}} who took over as interim coach until the club subsequently appointed former {{wp|Celtic F.C.|Celtic}} manager {{wp|Ange Postecoglou}} in time for the later 2023-24 season. Prior to his appointment, {{wp|Ange Postecoglou|Postecoglou}} had also previously managed the {{wp|Australia men's national soccer team|Australia men's national team}} from 2013 to 2017 as well as {{wp|A-League}} sides {{wp|Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory}} and {{wp|Brisbane Roar FC|Brisbane Roar}} and {{wp|J1 League}} side {{wp|Yokohama F. Marinos}}. Meanwhile, as the most decorated and successful {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager of recent times, supporters of the club initially launched a proposal to have the {{wp|Tottenham Hotspur Stadium}} renamed after Smith himself, citing the decision of {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to name their new stadium after Smith and head coach {{wp|Diego Simeone}}. However, the proposal itself was never fully implemented with an eventual compromise instead having the stadium's "North Stand" renamed to "Sir William Smith Stand" in his honour while a bronze statue depicting the likeness of him and former star player {{wp|Harry Kane}}, who subsequently transferred to {{wp|Bayern Munich}}, was erected in front of the stadium's entrance. Meanwhile, on 19 August 2023, for the opening to {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s first home match since Smith's departure, a commemorative montage was played prior to kick-off which depicted the club's notable victories under his past tenure along with several of his memorable public moments before later concluding with the phrase "Thank You For Everything, Boss". Ironically, the club then defeated {{wp|Manchester United}}, Smith's former club, 2-0 to secure their first win of the season.
 
Owing to him effectively being a free agent since his departure from {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, Smith, in light of his record-breaking successes at the club, was afterwards the subject of rumours linking him to several potential managerial jobs with the most notable being a rumour claiming that {{wp|Bundesliga}} giants {{wp|Bayern Munich}}, having then fired {{wp|Julian Nagelsmann}} in March 2023, was potentially looking towards employing Smith as the new head coach given his successes with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. However, in response, Smith himself strongly denied any links to the {{wp|Bundesliga}} club, adding that his {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} stint is his first and only one, with the latter eventually hiring former {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} manager {{wp|Thomas Tuchel}} as the new head coach while the {{wp|English}} club itself, following unsuccessful attempts with {{wp|Brighton & Hove Albion|Brighton}}'s {{wp|Graham Potter}} and former player {{wp|Frank Lampard}}, later hired {{wp|Mauricio Pochettino}}, Smith's predecessor at {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}. Meanwhile, even beforehand, Smith was also reportedly considered by several other parties to become their new head coach, including the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}}, {{wp|Manchester United}}, and {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}}. In particular, a move to {{wp|Manchester United}} was said to be the most likely option but which ultimately fell short of becoming a reality when Smith, following a "thorough and detailed inspection", demanded a major overhaul of the club's current squad along with having greater personal input and influence over player transfers, requests that were said to have conflicted with the {{wp|Glazer family|Glazer brothers}}' vision and which therefore killed any chance of Smith becoming the manager of his former club. In the meantime, Smith has occasionally expressed interest in returning to {{wp|La Liga}} side {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} as manager given his previous success at the club as a player and his close relationship with current manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}} who Smith once expressed interest in succeeding as head coach in the near future.
 
Around October 2023, in response to calls from {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} head coach {{wp|Jürgen Klopp}} for replays of several matches involving his club amidst mounting criticism over refereeing decisions, Smith publicly challenged {{wp|Jürgen Klopp|Klopp}} to a rematch of the {{wp|2019 UEFA Champions League Final}} in which {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} defeated {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} under {{wp|Mauricio Pochettino}} 2-0, stating, ''"If replays of matches are a possibility now then I sure would like to have the 2019 finals be played again so I could get a fourth Champions League title as manager next"''.
 
==Acting Career==
Shortly after his retirement from professional football came into effect, Smith, who reportedly took private acting lessons in the years leading up to his retirement, made his acting debut in 2017's ''{{wp|American Thriller}}'' alongside {{wp|Michael Keaton}}, playing the role of {{wp|Central Intelligence Agency|CIA}} agent {{wp|Mitch Rapp}}. The {{wp|American Thriller|film}}, while a modest commercial success and earning mixed reviews from critics, saw Smith receive some praise in his debut role with {{wp|Rotten Tomatoes}} describing him as a "believable action star with untapped hidden potential in the genre" while ''{{wp|IGN}}'' similarly commended his acting in his first-ever role while otherwise criticising the "formulaic" and "predictable" script that hampered Smith's abilities. In the following year, Smith was cast as {{wp|Israeli}} politician and intelligence officer {{wp|Rafi Eitan}} in ''{{wp|Operation Finale}}'' which chronicles the successful capture of {{wp|Nazi}} fugitive {{wp|Adolf Eichmann}} by {{wp|Mossad}} agents. Describing the {{wp|Operation Finale|film}} as "somewhat personal" given his [[Charles the Great|paternal grandfather]]'s famed role in rescuing {{wp|Jews}} from {{wp|Nazi}} persecution during the {{wp|Second World War}}, Smith, who starred alongside {{wp|Oscar Isaac}}, {{wp|Ben Kingsley}}, and {{wp|Mélanie Laurent}}, received much praise from critics for his performance with {{wp|Variety (magazine)|''Variety''}} describing it as "subtle yet powerful". In that same year, he also made a cameo appearance as himself in ''{{wp|Ocean's 8}}'' while his wife {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}, along with {{wp|Sandra Bullock}}, {{wp|Cate Blanchett}}, and {{wp|Sarah Paulson}}, starred as a group of thieves planning to execute an elaborate heist at the annual {{wp|Met Gala}} event. Following up on this, in 2019, Smith once again reunited with {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} in {{wp|Dark Waters (2019 film)|''Dark Waters''}} while also starring alongside {{wp|Daniel Craig}}, {{wp|Chris Evans}}, and {{wp|Ana de Armas}} in the mystery film ''{{wp|Knives Out}}'' that proved to be a massive success both commercially and critically although Smith himself did not return afterwards for its standalone sequel.
 
In 2023, following an almost four-year absence due to his managerial career, Smith returned to acting via a role in ''{{wp|Fast X}}'', the eleventh installment overall in the ''{{wp|Fast & Furious}}'' franchise, in which he played Aimes, the new leader of Mr Nobody ({{wp|Kurt Russell}})'s agency who is covertly working with the antagonist Dante played by {{wp|Jason Momoa}}. Meanwhile, he is also scheduled to play {{wp|Chameleon (character)|Dmitri Smerdyakov / Chameleon}} in 2024's {{wp|Kraven the Hunter (film)|''Kraven the Hunter''}} alongside {{wp|Aaron Taylor-Johnson}} who plays his character's half-brother {{wp|Kraven the Hunter}}. Meanwhile, during a July 2023 interview, when asked about his apparent preference for action roles, Smith expressed mich contentment with it while adding that he is personally open to "more emotionally stimulating" roles should the opportunity arises. In this, regarding the somewhat steady  and modest start to his acting career, Smith cited both his established reputation as a football star and his {{wp|Anne Hathaway|wife}}, a hugely successful actress herself, as the primary reasons, stating, ''"If I didn't choose to become a footballer, I would have most likely been just some random kid on the street. At the same time, if not for my wife, I would have most likely been at a loss for who to immediately learn acting from and how to be successful in it firsthand"''.


==Personal Life==
==Personal Life==
Although he was the firstborn child of [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King Thomas]], Smith is ultimately ineligible to later succeed his father to the throne given the fact that he had been born out of wedlock and that his parents, despite an almost two-decade-long relationship, were never officially married, thereby preventing him from being included in the line of succession to the throne. Despite this, Smith himself has expressed some gratefulness for his current circumstances, stating that the fact that he would never likely succeed to the throne in the near future due to his ineligibility meant that he was free to pursue a career of his own for as long as he wanted while also not being burdened by the thoughts of his future duties as monarch. Nonetheless, Smith shares the same birthday as his half-sister [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]] who was born exactly seventeen years after himself. At the same time, Smith is also exactly thirteen years older than {{wp|Dutch}}-born goalkeeper {{wp|Thibaut Courtois}} with whom he briefly partnered together at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} for three seasons long.
Although he was the firstborn child of [[Thomas, King of the British|King Thomas]], Smith is ultimately ineligible to later succeed his father to the throne given the fact that he had been born out of wedlock and that his parents, despite an almost two-decade-long relationship, were never officially married, thereby preventing him from being included in the line of succession to the throne. Despite this, Smith himself has expressed some gratefulness for his current circumstances, stating that the fact that he would never likely succeed to the throne in the near future due to his ineligibility meant that he was free to pursue a career of his own for as long as he wanted while also not being burdened by the thoughts of his future duties as monarch. Nonetheless, Smith shares the same birthday as his half-sister [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Queen Alexandra]] who was born exactly seventeen years after himself. At the same time, Smith is also exactly thirteen years older than {{wp|Dutch}}-born goalkeeper {{wp|Thibaut Courtois}}, with whom he played together at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} for three seasons long. In the meantime, by virtue of his birth year, Smith is also roughly the same age as fellow {{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|Michael Owen}}, singers {{wp|Pink (singer)|Pink}} and {{wp|Ne-Yo}}, as well as actresses {{wp|Jennifer Love Hewitt}}, {{wp|Kate Hudson}}, {{wp|Claire Danes}}, and actors {{wp|Chris Pratt}}, {{wp|Heath Ledger}}, and {{wp|John Krasinski}}.
 
As the descendant of {{wp|Prussian}} royalty through his [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]], whose great-grandfather was {{wp|German Emperor}} {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Wilhelm II}}, Smith was technically eligible to play for {{wp|Germany}} despite having never been born in the country itself. During a 2018 interview, Smith revealed that for a while, after learning of his {{wp|Prussian}} royal lineage, he briefly considered playing for {{wp|Germany}} instead of {{wp|England}} but ultimately decided to represent {{wp|England national football team|The Three Lions}}, stating, ''"I might be {{wp|German}} in some way but my [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] is {{wp|English}} and so am I"''.
 
Owing to his global popularity as a football icon, Smith has been extensively portrayed or depicted in various forms of media, with his likeness being used in the widely popular {{wp|FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA''}} football video game series in which Smith is one of the most highly-rated players in the game. In addition, {{wp|British}} actor {{wp|Jude Law}} portrayed Smith in the 2016 sports biographical film ''{{wp|The Final Tournament}}'' which depicts Smith's final appearance at the {{wp|2014 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Brazil}} for which {{wp|Jude Law|Law}} subsequently won {{wp|BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor}} at the {{wp|BAFTA Awards}} that year. In the meantime, Smith has made a number of cameo appearances as himself on the {{wp|Apple TV+}} sports comedy series ''{{wp|Ted Lasso}}'' alongside other footballing figures such as {{wp|Thierry Henry}}, {{wp|Gary Lineker}}, {{wp|Ian Wright}}, and {{wp|Pep Guardiola}}. Moreover, Smith has also appeared in various sports documentaries including ''{{wp|The June 30th Miracle: Ten Years On}}'', ''{{wp|The Fables of the Fabulous Four}}'', ''{{wp|Eriksson: The Unlikely Legend}}'', ''{{wp|Rise of The Lionesses}}'', ''{{wp|All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur}}'', and ''{{wp|The Spursy Fantasy}}''.
 
A polyglot, Smith is known to be fluent in several languages including his native {{wp|English}}, {{wp|German}}, {{wp|Spanish}}, and {{wp|Hebrew}}, with {{wp|Spanish}} being his preferred language of choice during his time at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}. In this, during his early years, Smith initially possessed a standard {{wp|Californian}} accent due to his more {{wp|American}} upbringing before later switching to a more {{wp|British}}-sounding accent after his move to the {{wp|United Kingdom}} so as to better fit in with his {{wp|England}} teammates. Similarly, his younger sister [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]], who later found work at the {{wp|British Broadcasting Corporation}}, also adopted a more {{wp|British}}-sounding accent, having once said, ''"In its entire history, when has a {{wp|BBC}} presenter ever spoke and didn't sound {{wp|British}} at all? It would surely be very awkward if otherwise and I'll prefer to avoid that by any means necessary"''. Nonetheless, Smith himself is shown to have been able to easily switch between his two main accents which he usually does whenever he is in either country and therefore needed to sound "local".
 
While known primarily for his footballing career, since his retirement, Smith has casually attempted several other forms of sports including {{wp|golf}}, {{wp|tennis}}, and {{wp|martial arts}}. A certified green belt holder in {{wp|taekwondo}}, Smith revealed that he had begun branching into other forms of sports around the later years of his career, stating, ''"At some point, I realised that in a few years I won't be playing this sport I loved actively anymore which meant that for my own good, when the time comes, I had to be prepared with something else in mind so that I don't just necessarily become some lazy head sitting around and doing nothing after finally hanging up my boots"''. Meanwhile, for his 40th birthday, Smith competed against the celebrated {{wp|Spanish}} tennis player {{wp|Rafael Nadal}} in a three-round exhibition match which {{wp|Rafael Nadal|Nadal}} eventually won 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. The event, which was primarily meant as a charity event, successfully raised an estimated total of $14.5 million.
 
As one of the most well-known and marketable athletes of his generation, Smith has been a partner in a huge number of lucrative sponsorships including {{wp|Adidas}}, {{wp|Armani}}, {{wp|Under Armour}}, {{wp|Coca-Cola}}, {{wp|Ford Motor Company|Ford}}, {{wp|Mercedes-Benz}}, {{wp|Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce}}, {{wp|Rolex}}, and {{wp|Louis Vuitton}}, all of which, combined with his high wage payments and other financial bonuses, make him one of the richest athletes in the world with an estimated net worth of $2.09 billion, the highest for a professional footballer and which makes him one of the few billionaire athletes in the world alongside {{wp|Michael Jordan}} and {{wp|Tiger Woods}}. In the context of professional football, Smith is often compared to fellow ex-{{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|David Beckham}}, both of whom are similarly known for their talents in football as well as for their public image and marketability coupled with their marriages to their equally famous wives in actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}} and singer {{wp|Victoria Beckham}}. In this, given that their first names coincidentally mirror that of {{wp|English}} poet {{wp|William Shakespeare}} and wife {{wp|Anne Hathaway (wife of Shakespeare)|Anne Hathaway}}, the two are popularly dubbed "Will and Anne" by the media who also nicknamed them "the 21st-century's Shakespearean couple".
 
During a 2018 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith revealed that as an admirer of the late {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|John F. Kennedy}} (who was notably called "Jack" by his closest friends and relatives), he initially thought about having himself officially called "Jack Smith" rather than the original "William Smith" on the basis of it "sounding way cooler than the usual one". However, given that his younger sister [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]] is otherwise popularly nicknamed "Jackie" by her family and friends and that he himself had mostly grown up being referred to by his given name "William" or "Bill" for short ("Will" was the most preferred nickname), Smith ultimately decided in retaining his name as it is. Consequently, especially during his early years, Smith's full name occasionally led to confusion between himself and actor {{wp|Will Smith}} who started gaining fame around the same time as the former through roles in ''{{wp|The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air}}'', {{wp|Bad Boys (1995 film)|''Bad Boys''}}, and {{wp|Men in Black (1997 film)|''Men in Black''}}. As a result, when he started gaining much personal fame as a soccer player for {{wp|LA Galaxy}} and the {{wp|United States}}, Smith was popularly nicknamed "Galaxy Prince" or "The Fresh Prince of LA" by some supporters. Meanwhile, {{wp|Arnold Schwarzenegger}}, who served as {{wp|California}}'s governor from 2003 to 2011, hailed Smith as "The Pride of California".
 
==Relationships==
During an interview with ''{{wp|Men's Health}}'' in 2017, Smith revealed himself to be "not really the romantic type" in his early years, stating that despite his fairly good looks and fame that rose unprecedentedly in the wake of his {{wp|World Cup}} heroics with the {{wp|United States}}, he never seriously considered a romantic relationship which he feared could interrupt his growing football career. Citing the publicity and media fanfare that surrounded former {{wp|Manchester United}} and {{wp|England}} player {{wp|David Beckham}} following his marriage to {{wp|Spice Girls}} singer {{wp|Victoria Beckham|Victoria Adams}}, Smith said, ''"Personally, I don't want that kind of attention on myself ever especially when my career was about to reach new heights and which absolutely required my total commitment. To have the paparazzi and the media always chasing after you and asking you questions incessantly just when you're coming back from a tiring match or training is something that I really don't look forward to and which I would like to avoid at all costs with whatever it takes"'' . In addition, Smith has also expressed his "personal annoyance" at being asked questions that relate less to football  than the opposite, stating, ''"Quite simply, I'm a professional footballer and as such I should normally be asked questions about football rather than the ones about which woman I have been seeing recently or what restaurant did I loved going to the most. It's all just quite silly and so utterly ridiculous with the quality of questions one like myself gets on the daily"''.
 
A notoriously private individual, owing to his good looks and fame, Smith was frequently linked in a romantic manner to various women by tabloids and magazines with names including actresses {{wp|Natalie Portman}} and {{wp|Emily Blunt}}, singer {{wp|Britney Spears}}, and fashion models {{wp|Miranda Kerr}} and {{wp|Rosie Huntington-Whiteley}}. However, in a 2018 interview with ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'', Smith confirmed that he had only been in three serious romantic relationships, namely with actress {{wp|Cameron Diaz}}, fashion model {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}}, as well as fellow actress and current wife {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}. Otherwise, during an appearance on ''{{wp|The Graham Norton Show}}'', Smith admitted to having an initial crush on {{wp|German}} tennis player {{wp|Steffi Graf}}, adding that {{wp|Steffi Graf|Graf}}'s 2001 marriage to fellow tennis player {{wp|Andre Agassi}} "broke me somewhat as a young man who just happened to have feelings for her back then". In addition, {{wp|English}} actress {{wp|Kate Winslet}}, who first gained fame through her role in {{wp|Titanic (1997 film)|''Titanic''}}, was also revealed to be someone who Smith initially had feelings for to the extent that he once planned to meet the {{wp|Kate Winslet|actress}} himself after he made his dream move to the {{wp|United Kingdom}} to join {{wp|Manchester United}} before eventually deciding against it for unknown reasons.


[[File:GB.png|250px|thumb|right|The {{wp|Brazilian}} supermodel {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}}, best known for her work with {{wp|Victoria's Secret}}. From 2004 to 2007, she secretly dated William Smith before later marrying {{wp|American}} football quarterback {{wp|Tom Brady}}]]
Owing to his global popularity as a football icon, Smith has been extensively portrayed or depicted in various forms of media, with his likeness being used in the widely popular {{wp|FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA''}} football video game series in which Smith is one of the most highly-rated players in the game. In the meantime, Smith has made a number of cameo appearances as himself on the {{wp|Apple TV+}} sports comedy series ''{{wp|Ted Lasso}}'' alongside other footballing figures such as {{wp|Thierry Henry}}, {{wp|Gary Lineker}}, {{wp|Ian Wright}}, and {{wp|Pep Guardiola}}. Moreover, Smith has also appeared in various sports documentaries including ''{{wp|The June 30th Miracle: Ten Years On}}'', ''{{wp|The Fables of the Fabulous Four}}'', ''{{wp|Eriksson: The Unlikely Legend}}'', ''{{wp|Rise of The Lionesses}}'', ''{{wp|All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur}}'', and ''{{wp|The Spursy Fantasy}}''. Meanwhile, Smith also appeared alongside other famous footballers in the music video for the 2010 single {{wp|Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)}} by {{wp|Colombian}} singer {{wp|Shakira}} for the {{wp|2010 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|South Africa}} which {{wp|England}} ultimately won. Meanwhile, as one of the most well-known and marketable athletes of his generation, Smith has been a partner in a huge number of lucrative sponsorships including {{wp|Adidas}}, {{wp|Armani}}, {{wp|Under Armour}}, {{wp|Coca-Cola}}, {{wp|Ford Motor Company|Ford}}, {{wp|Mercedes-Benz}}, {{wp|Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce}}, {{wp|Rolex}}, and {{wp|Louis Vuitton}}, all of which, combined with his high wage payments and other financial bonuses, make him one of the richest athletes in the world with an estimated net worth of $2.09 billion, the highest for a professional footballer and which makes him one of the few billionaire athletes in the world alongside {{wp|Michael Jordan}} and {{wp|Tiger Woods}}. In the context of professional football, Smith is often compared to fellow ex-{{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|David Beckham}}, both of whom are similarly known for their talents in football as well as for their public image and marketability coupled with their marriages to their equally famous wives in actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}} and singer {{wp|Victoria Beckham}}. In this, given that their first names coincidentally mirror that of {{wp|English}} poet {{wp|William Shakespeare}} and wife {{wp|Anne Hathaway (wife of Shakespeare)|Anne Hathaway}}, the two are popularly dubbed "Will and Anne" by the media who also nicknamed them "the 21st-century's Shakespearean couple".
Beginning in 2002, Smith would first meet {{wp|Brazilian}} supermodel {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}} at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Japan}} and {{wp|South Korea}} where Smith himself was one of the main stars as the young captain of the {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|United States national team}}. In this, {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}}, despite personally witnessing {{wp|Brazil}}'s shock 0-5 loss to the {{wp|United States}} in the finals in which Smith himself scored a famous hat-trick to overcome the star-studded {{wp|Brazil national football team|Brazil national team}}, was reportedly impressed enough by the {{wp|American}} captain's heroics that she later proved successful in meeting Smith himself in a rare and private encounter at a high-end hotel where the {{wp|United States}} players were staying at for the tournament. The encounter, which Smith himself later described as "very surreal" and "one-in-a-million chance", saw the two bond quickly over their shared love of football and {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}}'s own admiration of Smith's footballing skills. However, despite positive initial progress, the two did not quickly establish a romantic relationship given that {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} was still with her then-boyfriend, actor {{wp|Leonardo DiCaprio}}. Regardless, by 2004, amidst questions of incompatibility and bouts of depression, the couple eventually broke up, and {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} subsequently started dating Smith in relative secrecy with the couple said to have spent their first time together in the form of a private trip to the {{wp|Scottish Highlands}} in the {{wp|United Kingdom}} which Smith personally fancied for its captivating landscape and natural beauty.  


Owing to their high-profile statuses and the apparent need to avoid encroaching paparazzi, the two chose to keep their relationship a closely-knit secret and away from the media and public in a choice that Smith later described as "very difficult to make but which we thought was necessary given the circumstances and our own natural need for privacy and the sort". In this, despite it being a mutual agreement, the need for secrecy soon gradually took its toll on the couple's relationship, causing them to gradually distance themselves from one another amidst career demands and the overarching need to remain tight-lipped about their romance for fear of it disrupting Smith's budding football career as was seemingly the case for the latter's famous compatriot {{wp|David Beckham}}. Eventually, around 2007, in a much private manner, the two officially parted ways with {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} later marrying {{wp|American}} football quarterback {{wp|Tom Brady}}. Later, during a 2022 interview shortly after her divorce from {{wp|Tom Brady|Brady}}, the {{wp|Brazilian}} supermodel recounted her previous romance with Smith as "something beautiful that we could not sadly see it through all the way together", adding, ''"Simply put, he was very nice to me and was always steady and composed whenever an issue comes up. Unfortunately, perhaps by chance, we just couldn't see ourselves sticking together amidst all that stress and pressure that was slowly building up and demanding us to do something about our relationship. In the end, we didn't really hate each other but just thought that it would be best if we both had someone else to continue with afterwards"''. In the meantime, Smith himself has expressed some praise for {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} particularly for the latter's role in "being close to me during some of my most turbulent years", stating, ''"At the time, even with my family around me, I just felt almost alone having to deal with all the newfound fame and pressure that suddenly came crashing down on me and she was definitely very important in making me feel otherwise and ultimately being able to overcome it"''.
A polyglot, Smith is known to be fluent in several languages including his native {{wp|English}}, {{wp|German}}, {{wp|Spanish}}, and {{wp|Hebrew}}, with {{wp|Spanish}} being his preferred language of choice during his time at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}. In this, during his early years, Smith initially possessed a standard {{wp|Californian}} accent due to his more {{wp|American}} upbringing before later switching to a more {{wp|British}}-sounding accent after his move to the {{wp|United Kingdom}} so as to better fit in with his {{wp|England}} teammates. Similarly, his younger sister [[Jacqueline Smith|Jacqueline]], who later found work at the {{wp|British Broadcasting Corporation}}, also adopted a more {{wp|British}}-sounding accent, having once said, ''"In its entire history, when has a {{wp|BBC}} presenter ever spoke and didn't sound {{wp|British}} at all? It would surely be very awkward if otherwise and I'll prefer to avoid that by any means necessary"''. Nonetheless, Smith himself is known for being able to easily switch between his two main accents which he usually does whenever he is in either country and therefore needed to sound "local".  


Meanwhile, in 2003, sometime between the moment he first met {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} and the moment he later began a relationship with the {{wp|Brazilian}} supermodel, Smith briefly dated {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Cameron Diaz}}, whom he had met while attending the premiere of ''{{wp|Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle}}'' with his {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}} who made a cameo appearance in the film herself as one of the original actresses of the {{wp|Charlie's Angels|show}} on which the movie is based. Describing the romance afterwards as a "brief and meaningless fling", Smith revealed that while the two got on fairly well, they never seriously envisioned a serious long-term romance amidst questions of compatibility with {{wp|Cameron Diaz|Diaz}} herself later admitting in an interview that the two "did better as friends rather than lovers", adding, ''"We simply enjoyed each other's company, he was very friendly, gentlemanly, and a genuinely good man but we never thought of eventually becoming husband and wife or the sort in the near future"''.
An automobile enthusiast, Smith reportedly owns a modest collection of high-end and luxury vehicles. In this, Smith was said to have owned his first vehicle in the form of a {{wp|BMW M3}} which he often drove while living in the {{wp|United States}}. However, since his move to the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, Smith came to acquire a number of other vehicles including an {{wp|Aston Martin DB9}} (his primary vehicle), a {{wp|McLaren 570S}}, a {{wp|Mercedes-Benz CLS}}, and a {{wp|Range Rover Sport}}. Meanwhile, aside from his main residence in {{wp|London}}, Smith also owns a number of properties in other places, namely the {{wp|US}} city of {{wp|Los Angeles}}, {{wp|California}}, the {{wp|Spanish}} city of {{wp|Madrid}}, and the {{wp|English}} city of {{wp|Manchester}}, all three of which are primarily work-related. However, for non-work reasons, although mostly undisclosed, Smith also reportedly owns a property in the southern {{wp|English}} city of {{wp|Brighton and Hove}} where its coastal nature, coupled with its vibrant and free-spirited nature, greatly captivated Smith who, at times, would reportedly make trips to the coastal {{wp|English}} city for periods of rest.


[[File:AHP.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}} attending the premiere of {{wp|The Devil Wears Prada (film)|''The Devil Wears Prada''}} at the {{wp|LA Film Festival}} in June 2006. The {{wp|Anne Hathaway|actress}} headlined the film alongside co-stars {{wp|Meryl Streep}} and {{wp|Emily Blunt}}]]
Owing to a similar first name and surname, Smith is occasionally mistaken for another famous individual of an almost similar name, namely the {{wp|American}} actor {{wp|Will Smith}}. However, aside from their skin colours, the two do differ in certain respects, namely their full names, year of birth, and profession, while otherwise sharing some certain similarities including the two both being born {{wp|American}}, albeit in the different states of {{wp|California}} and {{wp|Pennsylvania}} respectively, and are both married to an actress, namely {{wp|Anne Hathaway}} and {{wp|Jada Pinkett Smith}}. To that end, on his part, Smith himself has acknowledged the comparisons, which he later described in a 2019 interview as "something funny to think about every now and then" while also affirming that the similarities in their names were purely accidental and that his [[Thomas, King of the British|father]] did not actually named him after the {{wp|Will Smith|actor}}, especially given that the latter was only nine years old when Smith himself was born and was therefore yet to acquire his modern-day prominence.
In the months after his relationship with {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}} ended, once again in relative secrecy, Smith began dating {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}, whom he had first met while attending the premiere of {{wp|The Devil Wears Prada (film)|''The Devil Wears Prada''}} in which {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} starred alongside {{wp|Emily Blunt}} and {{wp|Meryl Streep}} while Smith's then-girlfriend {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}} also played a minor role in the film herself. Reportedly, after quickly striking up a good rapport with both {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} and {{wp|Emily Blunt|Blunt}}, Smith, having already become gradually distant from his {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|then-girlfriend}} while otherwise finding himself particularly drawn to {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathway}}, subsequently began seeing the {{wp|American}} actress shortly after he officially parted ways with the {{wp|Brazilian}} supermodel. To that end, the couple later had their first date at none other than the {{wp|Scottish Highlands}} where Smith reportedly took {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} on a horseback trip exploring the hills and mountains.  


In this, despite adopting a similar secretive approach from his previous relationship, by the early 2010s, Smith began loosening up somewhat, appearing alongside {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} and other actresses including {{wp|Jessica Alba}}, {{wp|Jennifer Garner}}, and {{wp|Julia Roberts}} in the 2010 romantic comedy film {{wp|Valentine's Day (2010 film)|''Valentine's Day''}}. Eventually, on 1 July 2012, following a secret engagement two years prior, the couple officially declared their relationship to the public shortly after the {{wp|UEFA Euro 2012 Final}} between {{wp|England}} and {{wp|Spain}} at the {{wp|Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex|Olympic Stadium}} in {{wp|Kyiv}}, {{wp|Ukraine}} where {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} publicly joined Smith and the {{wp|England}} players on the pitch in celebration of their back-to-back {{wp|European}} glory, making it the first time that the couple has appeared together in public. Later, on November 12th of that same year, a date that also coincided with {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}}'s 30th birthday, the couple were wedded in a private ceremony at {{wp|Oheka Castle}} in {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}, {{wp|United States}}, with the venue itself being chosen due to the fact that Smith's parents and grandparents were also previously wedded there as well. Attended by various {{wp|Hollywood}} celebrities including {{wp|Emily Blunt}}, {{wp|Jennifer Lawrence}}, {{wp|Sandra Bullock}}, {{wp|Tom Hanks}}, and {{wp|Denzel Washington}} as well as footballers including {{wp|David Beckham}}, {{wp|Wayne Rooney}}, {{wp|Eric Cantona}}, and {{wp|Johan Cruyff}}, the event also saw the appearance of {{wp|US}} {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama}} and {{wp|First Lady of the United States|First Lady}} {{wp|Michelle Obama}}, with the {{wp|American}} president himself later heralding the event as "a beautiful union between one of {{wp|America}}'s great young actresses and one of {{wp|America}}'s greatest ever soccer players". In 2015, the couple welcomed a pair of twins William and Anne whom are named after the {{wp|English}} poet {{wp|William Shakespeare}} and his wife {{wp|Anne Hathaway (wife of Shakespeare)|Anne Hathaway}}. In an ensuing revelation, it was reported that the two would carry the surname "Hathaway-Smith" supposedly in order to avoid confusion in the case where either one of their surnames is used which would result in either their son or daughter having the exact same name as either their father or mother respectively. In this, Smith himself once jokingly suggested changing his surname to "Shakespeare" in order to fully commit to popular comparisons between himself and the {{wp|English}} poet, stating, ''"Frankly, with all the titles that I won, I'm basically the {{wp|William Shakespeare|Shakespeare}} of football anyway"''.
===Relationships===
{{Main|Personal Life (William Smith): Romances}}
Owing to a combination of his good looks and his global appeal as a highly-talented professional footballer, prior to his marriage to the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}, Smith was, at times, linked by tabloids to a number of famous female celebrities of his time including the likes of singers {{wp|Britney Spears}} and {{wp|Jessica Simpson}}, actresses {{wp|Emily Blunt}}, {{wp|Kate Winslet}}, and {{wp|Keira Knightley}}, as well as fashion models {{wp|Miranda Kerr}} and {{wp|Rosie Huntington-Whiteley}}.


Since then, beginning in 2017, Smith, reportedly inspired by his {{wp|Anne Hathaway|wife}}'s success in the acting industry while also hoping to secure a new and stable post-football career, started a gradual transition to acting in a move similar to that of {{wp|Frenchman}} {{wp|Eric Cantona}} who took up acting following his retirement from professional football in the late 1990s. As of current, the couple have starred in three films together namely 2010's {{wp|Valentine's Day (2010 film)|''Valentine's Day''}}, 2018's ''{{wp|Ocean's 8}}'', and 2019's {{wp|Dark Waters (2019 film)|''Dark Waters''}}. In November 2022, the couple renewed their vows in a private ceremony at {{wp|Oheka Castle}}, {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} in commemoration of their tenth wedding anniversary.
However, despite the various links, Smith has only ever acknowledged two official relationships prior to his marriage. In this, his first serious relationship was with the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Cameron Diaz}}, whom he met while accompanying his {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}} to the premier of the 2003 action film ''{{wp|Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle}}'' which both {{wp|Cameron Diaz|Diaz}} and {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, the former's own mother, appeared in. However, amidst issues of uncertainty and incompatibility, the couple ultimately called off their relationship within a few months or so although they have since remained on fairly good terms. On her part, {{wp|Cameron Diaz|Diaz}} later married the {{wp|American}} musician {{wp|Benji Madden}} whose twin brother {{wp|Joel Madden}} is otherwise married to the {{wp|American}} television personality {{wp|Nicole Richie}}.  


During an interview with ''{{wp|British Vogue}}'', Smith revealed that when he first introduced {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} to his family, his younger sister [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Alexandra]], who grew up watching ''{{wp|The Princess Diaries}}'' (which {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Hathaway}} starred in alongside {{wp|Julie Andrews}}), was particularly the most excited and approving of his family members. Recounting the aforementioned moment, Smith said, ''"Of course, my whole family was quickly onboard with me being with someone like {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Anne}} but my sister especially was the most enthusiastic since she liked {{wp|Anne Hathaway|Anne}}'s character in the movie so much. Quite literally, she was jumping about and wanted to hug her the moment she saw who she saw as {{wp|Mia Thermopolis}}"''.
Following the end of his relationship with {{wp|Cameron Diaz|Diaz}}, for a period of roughly four years, Smith dated the {{wp|Brazilian}} supermodel {{wp|Gisele Bündchen}}. In this, the couple's romance was said to have begun from a chance meeting between the two at the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}} in {{wp|Japan}} where {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}}, impressed by Smith's memorable hat-trick in a 5-0 win for the {{wp|United States}} over her native {{wp|Brazil}}, soon took an interest in the latter, thereby leading to a subsequent relationship after {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} then ended a previous relationship with the {{wp|American}} actor {{wp|Leonardo DiCaprio}}. Due to the couple's high-profile status, the relationship was a largely secretive and close-knit affair with knowledge of it being exclusively restricted to their closest friends and family members. Nonetheless, by around 2007, apparent signs of strain in their relationship led the couple to ultimately terminate their secretive romance, with {{wp|Gisele Bündchen|Bündchen}} later marrying the {{wp|American}} football quarterback {{wp|Tom Brady}} in 2009 although the couple subsequently ended up divorcing in 2022.


==Style of Play==
==Style of Play==
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Considered to be one of the greatest and most complete strikers of all time, Smith is known for several qualities that defined his reputation which includes an exceptional pace, high work-rate, remarkable dribbling skills, an unmatched goalscoring prowess, as well as excellent overall vision and creativity, with former {{wp|Manchester United}} head coach {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}} describing Smith as "the most complete of all the strikers I've had", adding, ''"From what I've seen, some strikers can only do a certain set of things while others can do their own set of things only and there's Smith who can essentially do almost everything a striker needs to in one go"''. In addition, with a height of 1.83 metres, his relatively tall stature also allowed Smith to occasionally function as a "target man" with a knack for scoring close-range headers and in spite of his physical attributes Smith nonetheless proved to be a quick and agile striker able to both outrun his opponents and place himself in ideal positions. Moreover, Smith is also widely regarded for his excellent first touches and perfect composure both of which made him a press-resistant player and who rarely loses the ball to opponents who often tend to mark him in order to nullify his threat. Former {{wp|Brazil}} and {{wp|Bayern Munich}} defender {{wp|Lúcio}}, who faced Smith in the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}}, described him as one of his most difficult opponents ever, stating, ''"He is always on the move and you never really know when he was about to shoot the ball or not. Quite simply, he's very unpredictable and to even counter him you always have to think many steps ahead which is already a lot to do in itself"''.
Considered to be one of the greatest and most complete strikers of all time, Smith is known for several qualities that defined his reputation which includes an exceptional pace, high work-rate, remarkable dribbling skills, an unmatched goalscoring prowess, as well as excellent overall vision and creativity, with former {{wp|Manchester United}} head coach {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}} describing Smith as "the most complete of all the strikers I've had", adding, ''"From what I've seen, some strikers can only do a certain set of things while others can do their own set of things only and there's Smith who can essentially do almost everything a striker needs to in one go"''. In addition, with a height of 1.80 metres, his relatively tall stature also allowed Smith to occasionally function as a "target man" with a knack for scoring close-range headers and in spite of his physical attributes Smith nonetheless proved to be a quick and agile striker able to both outrun his opponents and place himself in ideal positions. Moreover, Smith is also widely regarded for his excellent first touches and perfect composure, both of which made him a press-resistant player who rarely loses the ball to opponents who tend to man-mark him rather often. Former {{wp|Brazil}} and {{wp|Bayern Munich}} defender {{wp|Lúcio}}, who faced Smith in the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}}, described him as one of his most difficult opponents ever, stating, ''"He is always on the move and you never really know when he was about to shoot the ball or not. Quite simply, he's very unpredictable and to even counter him you always have to think many steps ahead which is already a lot to do in itself"''. A dedicated student of the {{wp|Total Football}} system and philosophy, despite being mostly known for his role as a forward, Smith also occasionally experimented as a winger, a second striker, an attacking midfielder, or even as a deep-lying playmaker in a more central position.
 
Considered to be an adept and talented dribbler by many, Smith is well-known for his preferred use of the infamous {{wp|Cruyff turn}} maneuver which the former {{wp|England}} forward later admitted to having "religiously studied" owing to his strong fascination towards the legendary {{wp|Dutch}} footballer {{wp|Johan Cruyff}}. In this, a strong pair of legs combined with excellent pace and acceleration allowed him to dribble past one or even several opponents at any given moment where in most cases he rarely ended up losing the ball or having his movement cut short by opponents. A set-piece specialist, Smith is known for his distinctively direct and fast free kicks with the ball often travelling at high speed thereby presenting a difficult challenge for goalkeepers attempting to save or parry the ball. Similarly, his penalty kicks are also known to be fast and direct with Smith himself being well-known for often placing his penalty shots in the upper corners, areas that goalkeepers rarely cover during penalties.
 
Having scored a season's average of an impressive forty goals while also playing a season's average of thirty-eight matches over the course of his later playing years, Smith has also received much applause and credit for his longevity especially given he was able to almost match the goalscoring rates of rivals {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} and {{wp|Lionel Messi}} with both players being at least several years younger than Smith who by then was already into his thirties. Regarding this, Smith has credited a mix of an "appropriate and efficient training regimen" and a "strict but healthy diet" in allowing him to maintain an almost consistent performance at the highest level even into his thirties which help refute claims from opponents of him being too old to remain competitive at the highest levels. In addition, the defensive style of football popularised by manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}}, which thereby forces him to play much deeper than usual, also helped Smith achieve a consistent performance into his later years by effectively conserving his energy to the extent that it then allows him to use said energy in short and intermittent bursts to either create goalscoring chances or score goals himself. By his own admission, Smith once said that in his later years, he was "maybe not as fast as before" but was otherwise "just as deadly as usual if not more deadlier than ever", adding, ''"When I was perhaps a little younger and had more energy and pace in me the way I played is more like a lion always out and about ravaging its prey but when I was a little older and had lost some of that pace my playing style definitely felt more like a cheetah slowly and stealthily moving and scouting their prey before quickly going in for the kill at high speed"''.
 
During his early years at {{wp|LA Galaxy}}, Smith, always a traditional striker from the start, initially developed into somewhat of a poacher or a traditional number 9 for his team positioned close to the opposition's defence while also quickly becoming a consistent goalscorer owing to his high levels of pace and an excellent sense of positioning that allows him to easily outrun opponents attempting to mark or close him down. However, a move to {{wp|Manchester United}}, which saw him operate jointly with the {{wp|Dutch}}-born {{wp|Ruud van Nistelrooy}} up front, saw him branch out from the usual confines of a traditional number 9 while also becoming ever more dynamic in the process with Smith often playing the role of a second striker or an attacking midfielder behind {{wp|Ruud van Nistelrooy|van Nistelrooy}} in which a combination of excellent dribbling coupled with commendable vision, technicality, as well as adept playmaking abilities made him an extremely capable and lethal player able to both score and assist with crucial goals on the daily. Later, a final move to {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} saw Smith become a quintessential deep-lying forward actively involved in attacking build-ups as {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}}'s low block tactical set-up often required him to drop deeper than ever thereby further burnishing his link-up play while also establishing himself as an effective "false nine" similar to {{wp|Johan Cruyff}} and {{wp|Michael Laudrup}}, leading former {{wp|Real Madrid}} forward {{wp|Karim Benzema}} to once remark, ''"At times, it felt like they were playing with actually eleven players on the pitch because the way he (Smith) moved and operated made it as if he was in two places at once and as if {{wp|Atlético Madrid|Atlético}} had one extra player on the pitch"''.


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Having scored a season's average of an impressive forty goals while also playing a season's average of thirty-four matches over the course of his later playing years, Smith has also received much applause and credit for his longevity especially given he was able to almost match the goalscoring rates of rivals {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} and {{wp|Lionel Messi}} with both players being at least several years younger than Smith who by then was already into his thirties. Regarding this, Smith has credited a mix of an "appropriate and efficient training regimen" and a "strict but healthy diet" in allowing him to maintain an almost consistent performance at the highest level even into his thirties whereas some otherwise saw a gradual decline in form as they aged. In addition, playing under the somewhat defensive style of {{wp|Diego Simeone}} crucially allowed Smith to conserve his energy as he aged while otherwise utilising most of his energy in short bursts hence his ability to score the usual amount of goals even in his later years. In this, his preference for mostly walking slowly on the pitch before suddenly sprinting with rapid pace led some pundits to liken his playing style at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} to a cheetah, a comparison that head coach {{wp|Diego Simeone}} even supported, having once said, ''"Undoubtedly, if the pitch was like a jungle, Guillermo (William) would be our cheetah silently walking and prowling about before suddenly bursting into life almost immediately once he saw his prey who will find it really hard to outrun him. For us, a goal being scored by him is like a cheetah having finally caught its prey"''. In addition to his offensive capabilities, Smith has received much credit from teammates and pundits for his defensive work in spite of his traditional role as a forward whereby he would often make well-timed tackles and precise interceptions whenever the opposition team is in possession of the ball while also being actively involved in pressing opponents up high on the pitch in order to immediately win the ball back and create a goalscoring opportunity right away near the opposition's penalty area. Aside from this, Smith is also well-known for his tendency to drop deep into the midfield area where he usually establishes strong link-up plays with his teammates before proceeding to carry the ball forward past opposition defenders. A renowned playmaker in his own right, Smith is also known for his almost equally high assist tally. In this, Smith has received much praise for his openness to assisting in goals rather than just scoring them via his natural playmaking abilities including a combination of reliable and accurate passes, excellent positioning, and strategic off-the-ball movements which generally allows him to orchestrate attacks and create goalscoring chances somewhat regularly.  
|quote  = "Without a doubt, I'm very honoured to know that other great footballers look up to me in starting their professional careers. In Smith, I definitely see hints and bits of the ''total football'' style because simply put he could play almost anywhere on the front and in each position he plays in he would rarely falter if ever. Quite simply, he has the vision, technicality, skill, and perhaps most importantly the goalscoring prowess to be almost anywhere along the front."
|author = Former {{wp|Dutch}} footballer {{wp|Johan Cruyff}} on being an inspiration for Smith
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In addition to his offensive capabilities, Smith has received much credit from teammates and pundits for his defensive work in spite of his traditional role as a forward whereby he would often make well-timed tackles and precise interceptions whenever the opposition team is in possession of the ball while also being actively involved in pressing opponents up high on the pitch in order to immediately win the ball back and create a goalscoring opportunity right away near the opposition's penalty area. Aside from this, Smith is also well-known for his tendency to drop deep into the midfield area where he usually establishes strong link-up plays with his teammates before proceeding to carry the ball forward through his excellent dribbling abilities past opposition defenders. A technically gifted player, Smith has been the subject of much praise for his short but quick and precise passing style that saw him record a consistently high rate of passes completed which led former manager {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}} to once describe him as the {{wp|Premier League}}'s "one-of-a-kind sharpshooter" while former teammate {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} described the former as "having a Midas touch with the ball which almost always gets to where it should be when coming off from his foot". A dedicated student of the {{wp|Total Football}} system and philosophy, despite being mostly known for his role as a forward, Smith also occasionally experimented as a winger, a second striker, an attacking midfielder, or even as a deep-lying playmaker in a more central position.


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Aside from his widely-acclaimed footballing prowess, Smith is also equally known for his somewhat extreme sense of professionalism and exemplary work ethic, traits that would come to mark his footballing career along with his distinction of having a somewhat "clean" and relatively "unproblematic" reputation which Smith himself admitted to be both natural and deliberate, stating, ''"When I realised that I have a younger sister who's really into football and who's definitely going to be looking up to me as inspiration, I knew that by all means necessary I have to set an example and be a good role model for her so that she could truly love and appreciate the game especially through someone familiar which is what I strove to be"''. In 2017, former {{wp|Manchester United}} teammate {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} described Smith as "every bit of a perfectionist, a total disciplinarian, and a 100% type of an outstanding player", adding, ''"Whenever a big match comes up, out of all the eleven men on the field, he (Smith) will definitely be the most focused and composed man of them all"''. Moreover, former {{wp|England}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} defender {{wp|Rio Ferdinand}}, who once publicly criticised the perceived laziness and laid-back attitude shown by the {{wp|England}} internationals during the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Germany}}, has also heaped much praise on the former {{wp|Manchester United}} forward, stating, ''"Out of all the guys that were in {{wp|Germany}} back then for the {{wp|World Cup}}, I think he (Smith) was probably the only one that had the game 100% in his mind, not to mention, he had just won one four years back and I think that by all accounts he had that undeniable sense of drive and passion of winning a second one right after the first, something that he was definitely not going to take very lightly until it's all said and done"''. Accordingly, former {{wp|England}} manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} also recounted Smith's overall behaviour during the last few training sessions for the {{wp|World Cup}} in {{wp|Germany}}, adding how the former {{wp|England}} star was "the first to come and the last to leave" during most training sessions and that the latter "always gave his 100% each time no matter what". In this, Smith was also known for his personal aversion to {{wp|diving (association football)|diving}}, having once said, ''"Simply put, people dive to the ground because they know they can't score a goal on their own and therefore need a quick way to score one soon especially when it happens in the penalty box which traditionally results in a penalty. Personally, I never had that thought in my mind and for me I never needed to dive to the ground because one way or the other I'll score a goal in every match that I play"''.
Aside from his widely-acclaimed footballing prowess, Smith is perhaps most well known for his somewhat extreme sense of professionalism and exemplary work ethic, traits that would come to mark his footballing career along with his distinction of having a somewhat "clean" and relatively "unproblematic" reputation which Smith himself admitted to be both natural and deliberate, stating, ''"When I realised that I have a younger sister who's really into football and who's definitely going to be looking up to me as inspiration, I knew that by all means necessary I have to set an example and be a good role model for her so that she could truly love and appreciate the game especially through someone familiar which is what I strove to be"''. In 2017, former {{wp|Manchester United}} and {{wp|England}} teammate {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} described Smith as "every bit of a perfectionist, a total disciplinarian, and a 100% type of an outstanding player", adding, ''"Whenever a big match comes up, out of all the eleven men on the field, he (Smith) will definitely be the most focused and composed man of them all"''. Moreover, former {{wp|England}} and {{wp|Manchester United}} defender {{wp|Rio Ferdinand}}, who once publicly criticised the perceived laziness and laid-back attitude shown by the {{wp|England}} internationals during the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup}} in {{wp|Germany}}, has also heaped much praise on the former {{wp|Manchester United}} forward, stating, ''"Out of all the guys that were in {{wp|Germany}} back then for the {{wp|World Cup}}, I think he (Smith) was probably the only one that had the game 100% in his mind, not to mention, he had just won one four years back and I think that by all accounts he had that undeniable sense of drive and passion of winning a second one right after the first, something that he was definitely not going to take very lightly until it's all said and done"''. Accordingly, former {{wp|England}} manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} also recounted Smith's overall behaviour during the last few training sessions for the {{wp|World Cup}} in {{wp|Germany}}, adding how the former {{wp|England}} star was "the first to come and the last to leave" during most training sessions and that the latter "always gave his 100%, or perhaps 105%, each time without fail". Meanwhile, during an appearance on ''{{wp|The Graham Norton Show}}'' in 2022, Smith publicly revealed a small-sized tattoo on the side of his right arm on which is inscribed a phrase in {{wp|Spanish}} that reads "Élite y compuesto" which roughly translates to "Elite and composed", reportedly his two main footballing philosophies, namely putting a consistent top-notch performance and remaining calm and composed, thereby averting any nervous breakdowns or the sort.
 
Having achieved much of his footballing successes under long-term managers such as {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} at {{wp|England}}, {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}} at {{wp|Manchester United}}, and {{wp|Diego Simeone}} at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}, Smith has since spoke much of the importance of retaining a manager for, at least in his view, three seasons long prior to making an eventual decision while otherwise criticising clubs with high turnover rates for head coaches. During an April 2022 interview shortly after his former club {{wp|Manchester United}} hired ex-{{wp|AFC Ajax|Ajax}} head coach {{wp|Erik ten Hag}}, the club's eighth appointment in ten years since the departure of {{wp|Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson}}, Smith said, ''"Looking back, with the many years and collective trust that he had, look at what he has come to win over those two decades  or so with the silverware themselves being too many to count and not to mention a historic sextuple in which he was the first manager to do so in football history. Contrast that with the amount of times his successors have otherwise been given and it's perhaps rather telling that the club never got anywhere further when the manager keeps changing and rotating every three to four years which essentially stuns any growth or development a club has in favour of a new one in what is only a vicious never-ending cycle"''.
 
In line with his most famous nickname of "The General", throughout much of his playing years, Smith came to acquire a well-known reputation for possessing a somewhat formidable and commanding presence on the pitch as well as a naturally talented and assertive leader with former {{wp|England}} manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} describing the former as "someone naturally born to be a leader with his own set of loyal followers and subordinates". In particular, during important and high stakes matches such as a {{wp|World Cup}} final, Smith was known for his "calm and reasonable yet aggressive and uncompromising" demeanour during dressing room meetings with former {{wp|England}} teammate {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} once stating, ''"In most cases, if you did well then you'll receive the most praises you'll ever get in your life but if you did badly then you'll get the most berating and scolding you'll ever get in your life instead"''. Similarly, former {{wp|United States}} teammate {{wp|Landon Donovan}}, recounting Smith's final dressing room speech just prior to the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}} against {{wp|Brazil}}, said, ''"For all the many years I spent with the national team, that dressing room speech was probably the only time I ever felt 100% sure about something in a very long time"''. In a 2017 {{wp|BBC Sport}} interview, Smith admitted that his hardline approach as captain made him an "enemy of some guys who didn't take it too well" but asserted that the results which included back-to-back {{wp|World Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}} triumph were otherwise indicators for success of his captaincy, stating, ''"Opinions may vary as to whether my style as a captain was warranted or not but in regards to how harsh I was as one, I just wanted to make it clear that the harshest of my criticisms were never personal and in most cases only slackers and absolute brats in the team only ever get the harshest of them all and not necessarily those who gave their all but couldn't necessarily get it all right"''.
 
During a 2018 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith named compatriot {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} as his "favourite teammate of all time", stating that the two "instantly clicked" upon their first encounter at {{wp|Manchester United}} where they played together for around six years long and for an almost decade long together as well for {{wp|England}}. Conversely, when asked about his greatest football rival, Smith named former {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} forward {{wp|Thierry Henry}}, stating, ''"Even if I pretty much won most of our confrontations there was no doubt that {{wp|Thierry Henry|Thierry}} was a very talented player in his own right and going up against him itself is frankly no walk in the park"''. Alternatively, an apparent but unacknowledged rivalry between Smith and {{wp|Portuguese}} star {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo}} was otherwise the subject of media interest with it largely stemming from the fact that the two played together at {{wp|Manchester United}}, where they jointly won a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}}, before later parting ways and afterwards reunited as rivals representing rivalling clubs {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} and {{wp|Real Madrid}}. Regarding this, Smith said, ''"Frankly, I couldn't care less about the whole rivalry thing but it was definitely something to first play with and later play against someone like {{wp|Cristiano Ronaldo|Cristiano}}. To even come out victorious each time, which I clearly did, definitely adds onto the whole intriguing aspect of it"''.


Despite a mutually beneficial partnership that included a historic {{wp|sextuple (association football)|sextuple}} in addition to several league and continental titles, the pairing of Smith as a player at {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} with longtime manager {{wp|Diego Simeone}} was notably the subject of much speculation and rumours that largely stemmed from {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}}'s infamous role in the controversial sending off of {{wp|English}} footballer {{wp|David Beckham}} in the {{wp|1998 FIFA World Cup}} where {{wp|Argentina}} later defeated {{wp|England}} on penalties in {{wp|David Beckham|Beckham}}'s absence. In this, during a 2016 interview with {{wp|BBC Sport}}, when asked about his relationship with {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}} given the latter's infamous history with {{wp|England}}, Smith said, ''"To put it simply, what happened back in '98 was what it was and by all means it was history. Now, by the time we actually met one another for the first time, about a decade has passed since then and {{wp|David Beckham|David}}, who got sent off during that infamous moment, already has a {{wp|World Cup}} trophy to show off to people"''. Then, he added, ''"Ultimately, after around ten years or so, everyone has pretty much changed and moved on from what or whom they used to be and since we actually later won a {{wp|World Cup}} just eight years afterwards there was nothing much left to still be mad or whine about. In the end, one cannot keep dwelling on the past, be it good or bad, but otherwise keep going forward and ready to face whatever fate is going to throw at you"''. Similarly, on his part, {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}} himself has mostly spoken positively of Smith whom he once described as "the greatest player I have ever managed". In this, regarding the historical tension between their respective countries, {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}} said, ''"Politics are what they are but they'll never convince me to just somehow not work or manage the greatest footballer in the world and instead let someone else have the honour of doing it. That would be absolutely unacceptable for myself"''. In retrospect, {{wp|Sky Sports}} has dubbed them "the most controversial yet most successful partnership in football history" while ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'' likened the pair to the {{wp|Second World War}} alliance between {{wp|America}}'s {{wp|Franklin D. Roosevelt}} and the {{wp|Soviet Union}}'s {{wp|Joseph Stalin}}, stating, ''"Even with all the contrasts and the apparent red flags that came with it, the two nonetheless bonded well and clearly worked wonders to achieve what they did afterwards"''.
In line with his most famous nickname of "The General", throughout much of his playing years, Smith came to acquire a well-known reputation for possessing a somewhat formidable and commanding presence on the pitch as well as a naturally talented and assertive leader with former {{wp|England}} manager {{wp|Sven-Göran Eriksson}} describing the former as "someone naturally born to be a leader with his own set of loyal followers and subordinates". In particular, during important and high stakes matches such as a {{wp|World Cup}} final, Smith was known for his "calm and reasonable yet aggressive and uncompromising" demeanour during dressing room meetings with former {{wp|England}} teammate {{wp|Wayne Rooney}} once stating, ''"In most cases, if you did well then you'll receive the most praises you'll ever get in your life but if you did badly then you'll get the most berating and scolding you'll ever get in your life instead"''. Similarly, former {{wp|United States}} teammate {{wp|Landon Donovan}}, recounting Smith's final dressing room speech just prior to the {{wp|2002 FIFA World Cup Final}} against {{wp|Brazil}}, said, ''"For all the many years I spent with the national team, that dressing room speech was probably the only time I ever felt 100% sure about something in a very long time"''. In a 2017 {{wp|BBC Sport}} interview, Smith admitted that his hardline approach as captain made him an "enemy of some guys who didn't take it too well" but asserted that the results which included back-to-back {{wp|World Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}} triumph were otherwise indicators for the success of his captaincy, stating, ''"Opinions may vary as to whether my style as a captain was warranted or not but in regards to how harsh I was as one, I just wanted to make it clear that the harshest of my criticisms were never personal and in most cases only slackers and absolute brats in the team only ever get the harshest of them all and not necessarily those who gave their all but couldn't necessarily get it all right"''. Nonetheless, his brand of professionalism and an admirable character made Smith a "mentor" to younger and upcoming talents at the clubs that he played namely {{wp|Manchester United}} players {{wp|Marcus Rashford}} and {{wp|Jonny Evans}} as well as {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s {{wp|Antoine Griezmann}} who is considered by some to be Smith's "protégé".  


As the essential face and icon of {{wp|American}} soccer, Smith is therefore hugely respected and admired by many young {{wp|American}} talents in the sport including {{wp|AC Milan}} midfielder and {{wp|United States men's national soccer team|USMNT}} captain {{wp|Christian Pulisic}} who said in a 2019 interview with {{wp|ESPN}}, ''"Back then, even if I was just four years old at the time, me and a lot of other kids in {{wp|America}} would never forget the moment they lifted the {{wp|World Cup}} trophy for the first time which is definitely something that I wish to accomplish even if it seems impossible now"''. Similarly, fellow {{wp|American}} soccer player and {{wp|Borussia Dortmund}} midfielder {{wp|Giovanni Reyna}} described the former as "the number one legend among {{wp|American}} soccer fans" and "the {{wp|Michael Jordan}} of soccer", adding, ''"The things he did and those he accomplished as an {{wp|American}}, everyone in the country wants to be like him and win just as much as he did too"''. Meanwhile, together with his younger sister [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Alexandra]], the two are the first brother and sister pair to represent {{wp|England}} at the senior level followed by the James siblings {{wp|Lauren James|Lauren}} and {{wp|Reece James (footballer, born 1999)|Reece}} who each play for {{wp|Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea}} and {{wp|England}} respectively. However, they are not necessarily the first pair of siblings to represent {{wp|England}} at the senior level and win a major tournament, be it the {{wp|World Cup}} or the {{wp|UEFA European Championship|Euros}}, with the first pair to do so being the Charlton brothers {{wp|Bobby Charlton|Bobby}} and {{wp|Jack Charlton|Jack}}, members of the {{wp|1966 FIFA World Cup|1966 World Cup}}-winning squad, and the Neville brothers {{wp|Phil Neville|Phil}} and {{wp|Gary Neville|Gary}}, members of the {{wp|2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup}}-winning squad.
As of 2024, Smith is just one of only nine footballers in history to have won the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}}, the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}}, and the {{wp|Ballon d'Or}}. Others on the list include {{wp|Johan Cruyff}}, {{wp|Gerd Müller}}, {{wp|Franz Beckenbauer}}, {{wp|Paolo Rossi}}, {{wp|Zinedine Zidane}}, as well as fellow compatriots {{wp|Bobby Charlton}}, {{wp|Harry Kane}}, and his own half-brother [[Prince Richard of Hanover|Prince Richard]].


==Managerial Style==
==Managerial Style==
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|quote  = "Looking back, all those doubts and uncertainties that were thrown at me by many people certainly drove me to do the best that I could with the time and players that I had because in the end they knew that they were wrong to doubt me in the first place while I'll be the happiest person on {{wp|Earth}} to know that I was right about myself from the beginning."
|author = Smith on initial doubts from the public over his managerial capabilities at {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}
|source =
|width  = 50%
|align  = right
}}
Considered to be the most successful {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager of the modern era, as head coach, Smith was well-known for his precise and consistent emphasis on discipline, a quality he once described as "more essential than simply being good at football", adding, ''"Any team can be good at football but if they have no discipline instilled in them then they are nothing more than just some rowdy and classless group of men who can simply kick a ball around on the pitch"''. In addition, owing to his extensive experience from his past playing years, Smith was also known for his particular emphasis on "mind games", with his preferred methods being through loud and energetic chants and songs combined with passionate touchline celebrations which was said to be heavily inspired by {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}'s {{wp|Jürgen Klopp}}. Moreover, at least during his first season as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} head coach, Smith gained much media attention for his "pompous" and "bombastic" personality during press conferences which he later admitted to be a deliberate act, stating, ''"Undoubtedly, I came to a club that wasn't exactly in its best form but all things considered what was I supposed to do publicly? Act like I'm defeated and that all is lost before it really isn't? Nope, that's now how I work and it never will be because I live and thrive off high expectations and regardless if some people like it or not, I'm not going to hide my true ambitious and dreamy personality because that's what I've always been for years as a player and now as a manager as well"''. In this, especially following {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s 2-1 win over {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in the {{wp|2020 UEFA Champions League Final}}, Smith famously displayed the {{wp|V sign}} to the surrounding cameras amidst an empty stadium due to the {{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}}. He later repeated the hand gesture, first popularised by {{wp|British}} statesman {{wp|Winston Churchill}}, during {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s first {{wp|Premier League}} title win which later led to supporters displaying the hand gesture themselves en-masse during home matches reportedly in order to both encourage their players and demoralise their opponents.
Overall, an ambitious personality, coupled with his tactical acumen and the successes he enjoyed as head coach has led to occasionally mythical comparisons between Smith and the late {{wp|Bill Nicholson (footballer)|Bill Nicholson}} who formerly managed {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} throughout the 1960s during which he won the {{wp|FA Cup}} thrice, the {{wp|EFL Cup}} and {{wp|UEFA Cup}} twice, and the {{wp|UEFA Cup Winner's Cup}} once. Regarding the comparisons, Smith himself said, ''"Obviously, in the context of {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, it is quite an honour to even be compared to someone like {{wp|Bill Nicholson (footballer)|Bill}} but out of my personal respect for the man and ultimately the {{wp|THFC|club}} itself, I think it is best that his legacy be left untouched and appreciated in all its glory while I build my own and have it be appreciated by people in its own unique way. Ultimately, I'm not here to replace or erase {{wp|Bill Nicholson (footballer)|Bill}}'s legacy but to simply bring much-awaited glory to this one-of-a-kind club and make their supporters happy and enjoy football again like the good old days"''. On the other hand, his perceived "underdog" status coupled with his aggressive persona has also led to comparisons between himself and {{wp|Portuguese}}-born {{wp|José Mourinho}} with whom he coincidentally holds the record for the youngest manager to win the {{wp|Premier League}} and the {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} respectively.
Although known to have usually preferred the traditional 4-2-3-1/4-3-2-1 formations, on rare occasions, Smith has also been somewhat successful with a 3-5-2 formation most notably in {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}'s impressive 4-1 victory over {{wp|Manchester City}} in the {{wp|2021 UEFA Champions League Final}} where the pairing of club veteran {{wp|Harry Kane}} and returning club legend {{wp|Gareth Bale}} up front along with a numerically dominant midfield spearheaded on the sides by {{wp|Lucas Moura}} and {{wp|Son Heung-min}} saw them effectively dominate their {{wp|Manchester}} opponents and ultimately win 4-1. Meanwhile, on one occasion, when asked by a {{wp|BBC Sports}} journalist about his tactics, Smith famously replied, ''"It's simple, when we have the ball we attack, attack, and attack, but when we don't have the ball then we defend, defend, and defend"''.
An admirer of the {{wp|gegenpressing}} system popularised by the likes of {{wp|Thomas Tuchel}} and {{wp|Jürgen Klopp}}, Smith was known for having favoured such an approach during his four-year tenure at {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} along with favouring other tactical approaches such as rigid and narrow defending as well as a fast and rapid counter-attacking approach primarily led by the talented {{wp|Harry Kane}} up front. Meanwhile, in a 2021 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, Smith named {{wp|Atlético Madrid}} head coach {{wp|Diego Simeone}} as his "primary inspiration" in being a football manager himself, citing the former's much-similar situation of managing an "underdog" club against perceived superior opponents. To that end, {{wp|Diego Simeone|Simeone}}'s tactical trademark that includes a rigid defensive system was also incorporated by Smith as head coach of {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}, stating, ''"Admittedly, compared to some of our opponents our defenders wouldn't necessarily be called among the best in the world but in the end when all eleven players on the pitch and not just the defenders at the back come together and protect the goalpost as a strong single unit then it's going to be difficult for any teams, be it those stronger or weaker than us, to just simply walk over us and get three to five goals each time"''.
{{Quote box
|quote  = "Without a doubt, to see the same club that we defeated 2-0 in the finals just the season before also defeat {{wp|Bayern Munich}} to win their first title the following season is just unreal and truly astonishing. Not many clubs bounce from such a defeat at such a high level this quickly but they have done it and with the circumstances at hand it was truly a one-of-a-kind effort."
|author = {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} manager {{wp|Jürgen Klopp}} on Smith and {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}
|source =
|width  = 50%
|align  = left
}}
Considered to be an expert at mind games and the psychological aspects of football, Smith was known to have frequently utilised loud and passionate chants especially during home matches with the main purpose of disorienting and unsettling visiting opposition players, stating, ''"Whether they like it or not, whenever opponents come to face us and they do so at our home ground, then it's an absolute guarantee that they will not get the warmest of welcomes from the hosts but otherwise the loudest of chants and screams they'll ever hear in their lives whereby if they listen to it for too long they could perhaps even go deaf in the end after it's all said and done"''. In this, Smith has also come to acquire a reputation for his passionate and energetic touchline celebrations which the former revealed to have been inspired by {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}}'s {{wp|Jürgen Klopp}}. In defending his passionate celebrations, Smith remarked, ''"As long as I wasn't actually making racist, sexist, or any obscene gestures of the sort to anyone I don't think I should be told how to celebrate my team's successes. If anything, the fact that I celebrate the way I do clearly shows that I take both victories and defeats very seriously each time"''. Over the course of four years as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} manager, among the several celebratory gestures he used, the most notable would be the one where he would taunt opposition supporters by raising three of his fingers so as to indicate the occasions where he has supposedly proven most critics and doubters wrong with the said occasions being the {{wp|United States}}' {{wp|World Cup}} glory, {{wp|Atlético Madrid}}'s five {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} title streak, and his {{wp|Premier League}} and {{wp|UEFA Champions League}} triumphs with {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}}.
In the 2023 sports documentary ''{{wp|The Spursy Fantasy}}'', Smith publicly disclosed an unusual method that he employed in order to consistently motivate his players and achieve the unprecedented successes that he had as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} head coach in which during games against big opponents or derby rivals {{wp|Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal}} he usually tasked the defenders, midfielders, forwards, as well as the goalkeeper to hit a certain goal be it in terms of successful interceptions, completed passes, goals scored, or even keeping a clean sheet in which any player who successfully does so was often rewarded handsomely be it in the form of money, dinner treats, or a day of rest. Aside from this, owing to his relatively young age, Smith often participated in trainings with players himself, challenging them to 1-on-1 duels, stating, ''"If they were always facing one of the greatest footballers directly in training each time then they'll undoubtedly be just as good as the person they faced in no time"''.
During a 2023 interview with {{wp|Sky Sports}}, when asked about his favourite moment as {{wp|THFC|Tottenham Hotspur}} head coach, Smith named the club's surprise 2-1 victory over {{wp|Bayern Munich}} in the {{wp|2020 UEFA Champions League Final}}, stating, ''"The moment {{wp|Tanguy Ndombele|Ndombele}} scored that crucial goal, and given there were just a few minutes left before the match was officially over, it was definitely an extremely rare moment where everyone including myself, for good reason, just let loose because after the 0-2 loss to {{wp|Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool}} in the finals the year before no one thought we would be here so quickly once again yet we did and we actually won this time around with the slimmest of margins and in the most dramatic of finishes imaginable"''. In addition, the club's 4-2 win on aggregate in the semi-finals against a star-studded {{wp|Paris Saint-Germain}} that boasted players such as {{wp|Kylian Mbappé}} and {{wp|Neymar}} was also named by Smith to be one of his favourite moments, with the former head coach stating, ''"When we finally won I knew for sure that I just did one of the proudest things in my life which is proving that a soulless and ridiculous club like {{wp|Paris Saint-Germain|PSG}} can be defeated by almost anyone and that they definitely do not deserve to win {{wp|Europe}}'s most prestigious tournament ever"''.


==Honours==
==Honours==
===Player===
'''LA Galaxy'''
'''LA Galaxy'''
* '''U.S. Open Cup''': 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
* '''U.S. Open Cup''': 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
* '''MLS Cup''': 2002, 2003
* '''MLS Cup''': 2002, 2003
* '''CONCACAF Champions Cup''': 2000
* '''CONCACAF Champions Cup''': 1997, 2000


'''Manchester United'''
'''Manchester United'''
Line 570: Line 392:


'''Atlético Madrid'''
'''Atlético Madrid'''
* '''La Liga''': 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16
* '''La Liga''': 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
* '''Copa del Rey''': 2012-13, 2015-16
* '''Copa del Rey''': 2012-13, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19
* '''Supercopa de España''': 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
* '''Supercopa de España''': 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
* '''UEFA Champions League''': 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16
* '''UEFA Champions League''': 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
* '''UEFA Europa League''': 2010-11
* '''UEFA Europa League''': 2010-11
* '''UEFA Super Cup''': 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
* '''UEFA Super Cup''': 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
* '''FIFA Club World Cup''': 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
* '''FIFA Club World Cup''': 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
 
'''Tottenham Hotspur'''
*'''Premier League''': 2020-21, 2021-22
*'''FA Cup''': 2022-23
*'''EFL Cup''': 2021-22
*'''UEFA Champions League''': 2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23
*'''UEFA Super Cup''': 2020, 2021
*'''FIFA Club World Cup''': 2020, 2021


'''United States U20'''
'''United States U20'''
Line 597: Line 411:
* '''FIFA World Cup''': 2006, 2010, 2014
* '''FIFA World Cup''': 2006, 2010, 2014
*'''UEFA European Championship''': 2008, 2012
*'''UEFA European Championship''': 2008, 2012
===Manager===
'''Tottenham Hotspur'''
*'''Premier League''': 2020-21, 2021-22
*'''FA Cup''': 2022-23
*'''EFL Cup''': 2021-22
*'''UEFA Champions League''': 2019-20, 2020-21
*'''UEFA Super Cup''': 2020, 2021
*'''FIFA Club World Cup''': 2020, 2021


'''Individual'''
'''Individual'''
* {{wp|Ultra Ballon d'Or}}: 2019
* {{wp|Ultra Ballon d'Or}}: 2019
* {{wp|FIFA Ballon d'Or}}/{{wp|Ballon d'Or}}: 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
* {{wp|FIFA Ballon d'Or}}/{{wp|Ballon d'Or}}: 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019
* {{wp|FIFA World Player of the Year}}: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
* {{wp|FIFA World Player of the Year}}: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
* {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Player}}:2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
* {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Player}}:2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Line 607: Line 430:
* {{wp|FIFA World Cup Golden Boot}}: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
* {{wp|FIFA World Cup Golden Boot}}: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
* {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball}}: 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013
* {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball}}: 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013
* {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe}}: 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013
* {{wp|FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Boot}}: 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013
* {{wp|FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball}}: 1999
* {{wp|FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball}}: 1999
* {{wp|FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot}}: 1999
* {{wp|FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot}}: 1999
Line 620: Line 443:
* {{wp|PFA Team of the Year}}: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
* {{wp|PFA Team of the Year}}: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
* {{wp|Premier League Player of the Season}}: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
* {{wp|Premier League Player of the Season}}: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
* {{wp|Premier League Player of the Month}}: November 2010, January 2013, April 2013
* {{wp|Premier League Player of the Month}}: September 2008, July 2010, September 2010
* {{wp|FWA Footballer of the Year}}: 2014
* {{wp|FWA Footballer of the Year}}: 2014
* {{wp|Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year}}: 2004-05, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
* {{wp|Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year}}: 2004-05, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
Line 626: Line 449:
* {{wp|UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament}}: 2008, 2012
* {{wp|UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament}}: 2008, 2012
* {{wp|Premier League Hall of Fame}}: 2021
* {{wp|Premier League Hall of Fame}}: 2021
* {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup Most Valuable Player of the Final}}: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015
* {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup Most Valuable Player of the Final}}: 2005, 2009, 2014, 2015
* {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}}: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015
* {{wp|FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}}: 2005, 2009, 2014, 2015
* {{wp|Alan Hardaker Trophy}}: 2007, 2009
* {{wp|Alan Hardaker Trophy}}: 2007, 2009
* {{wp|Premier League Goal of the Month}}: June 2005
* {{wp|Premier League Goal of the Month}}: June 2005
Line 651: Line 474:
* {{wp|National Soccer Hall of Fame}}: 2002
* {{wp|National Soccer Hall of Fame}}: 2002
* {{wp|English Football Hall of Fame}}: 2015
* {{wp|English Football Hall of Fame}}: 2015
* {{wp|BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award}}: 2014
* {{wp|BBC Sport Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award}}: 2014
* {{wp|BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award}}: 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
* {{wp|BBC Sport Personality of the Year Award}}: 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
* {{wp|BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year}}: 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
* {{wp|BBC Sport Personality World Sport Star of the Year}}: 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
* {{wp|Onze d'Or Coach of the Year}}: 2020, 2021, 2022
* {{wp|Onze d'Or Coach of the Year}}: 2020, 2021, 2022
* {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Coach}}: 2020, 2021, 2022
* {{wp|The Best FIFA Men's Coach}}: 2020, 2021, 2022
* {{wp|LMA Manager of the Year}}: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23
* {{wp|LMA Manager of the Year}}: 2019-20, 2020-21
* {{wp|Premier League Manager of the Season}}: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23
* {{wp|Premier League Manager of the Season}}: 2019-20, 2020-21
* {{wp|BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award}}: 2020
* {{wp|BBC Sport Personality of the Year Coach Award}}: 2020
* {{wp|IFFHS World's Best Club Coach:}}: 2020
* {{wp|IFFHS World's Best Club Coach}}: 2020
* {{wp|LMA Hall of Fame}}: 2023
* {{wp|LMA Hall of Fame}}: 2023

Latest revision as of 00:57, 2 April 2024


William Smith

SWS.jpg
Born
William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith

(1979-05-11) May 11, 1979 (age 45)
Nationality
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BSS)
University of Manchester (MSS)
Occupation
  • Footballer
  • Manager
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Spouse(s)
Anne Hathaway (m. 2012)
Partner(s)Cameron Diaz (2003 - 2004)
Gisele Bündchen (2004 - 2007)
Children
  • William
  • Anne
  • Michelle
  • John
Parents
Relatives (aunt-in-laws)
Georgia May Jagger (cousin)
Henry Cavill (brother-in-law)
Association football career
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1992 - 1997 IMG Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997 - 2003 LA Galaxy 190 (232)
2004 - 2010 Manchester United 192 (225)
2010 - 2019 Atlético Madrid 302 (328)
Total 684 (785)
International career
1999 - 2000 United States U20 7 (12)
2000 - 2003 United States 64 (68)
2004 - 2014 England 124 (160)
2012 Great Britain 6 (9)
Managerial career
2019 - 2023 Tottenham Hotspur
Honours
Men's football
Representing  England and  United States
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2002 South Korea-Japan
Winner 2006 Germany
Winner 2010 South Africa
Winner 2014 Brazil
UEFA European Championship
Winner 2008 Austria–Switzerland
Winner 2012 Poland–Ukraine
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner 2001 South Korea-Japan
Winner 2003 France
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner 2000 United States
Winner 2002 United States
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 1999 Nigeria
Representing  Great Britain
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2012 London
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sir William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith GBE GCWO GCH (born 11 May 1979) is an American-English former football manager and player. Known for his explosive pace, exceptional playmaking abilities, strong link-up play, and formidable goalscoring prowess, Smith is generally regarded to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. Nicknamed "The General" for his leadership qualities and commanding presence on the pitch, with a total of 84 senior titles to his name, Smith is the most decorated player in football history and is also one of the few players to have made over 1,000 professional career appearances as well as the only player to have scored over 1,000 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the highest goalscorer of all time. In 2004, Smith was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living footballers, becoming the only male American player on the list. Prior to the discontinuation of the FIFA Confederations Cup and the subsequent introduction of the UEFA Nations League, Smith, along with former teammate Wayne Rooney, are the only two footballers to have won all the available titles at both club and international levels including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, William Smith Shield, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and the FIFA Confederations Cup. Moreover, he is also the only player to have achieved a sextuple with two different clubs, namely with Manchester United and Atlético Madrid. With a net worth of $2.09 billion, Smith is considered to be the richest footballer, active or retired, with his wealth mostly derived from a series of highly lucrative sponsorships as well as the high wages and bonuses he received during his playing years. Along with seven other players, Smith is one of the few to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or alongside compatriots Bobby Charlton and Harry Kane.

The only son of actress Jaclyn Smith and King Thomas, Smith joined IMG Academy at the age of thirteen. After a five-year period, at the age of eighteen, he was selected by Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy, with whom he went on to become one of its most talented and successful players, winning three straight U.S. Open Cup titles in a row, the MLS Cup twice in 2002 and 2003 respectively, as well as the CONCACAF Champions Cup twice in 1997 and 2000. By the end of his time with LA Galaxy, Smith had racked up a total of 289 goals in 221 appearances, making him the leading all-time goalscorer both in Major League Soccer and for LA Galaxy. In 2005, he was named in the MLS All-Time Best XI alongside the likes of Landon Donovan and Carlos Valderrama.

In 2003, for a world-record fee of £68 million that was also then a British record and currently an unbroken Major League Soccer record, Smith joined Premier League club Manchester United on a six-year contract. With the club, he went on to achieve unprecedented success, winning the Premier League five seasons in a row, the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup thrice, the UEFA Champions League four times, and the EFL Cup a total of five times. In this, he notably helped Manchester United to a historic sextuple in the 2008-09 season in a first for a European and English club during which he became the only player in Premier League history to score seven goals in a record 10-0 win over Fulham. With a total of 468 goals in 343 appearances across all competitions, Smith is the leading all-time goalscorer for Manchester United and the second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League behind Alan Shearer along with having the sixth-most assists in the league with 98 assists behind Frank Lampard. On the other hand, Smith previously held the record for the most goals scored in a Premier League season with 41 goals which was later broken by Arsenal's Richard. In 2021, along with Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, Smith was among the first three players to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. Then, in 2010, following a hugely successful period with Manchester United, Smith joined La Liga side Atlético Madrid for a then world-record transfer fee of £82.5 million, becoming one of the few players to have broken the world record twice. With the club, he went on to win the La Liga six times in a row, the Copa del Rey four times, the Supercopa de España seven times in a row, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup eight times in a row, and the UEFA Europa League once during which he helped the club to three separate sextuples. Considered to be the most successful and most talented forward in the club's history, along with Diego Simeone, Smith is considered an instrumental figure in the club's revival amidst an extended period of Real Madrid and Barcelona dominance in the La Liga to become a major force or a "third power" against the two clubs during which they bested both clubs on several occasions in both domestic and European football. With 596 goals scored in 481 appearances across all competitions, Smith is the leading all-time goalscorer for Atlético Madrid as well as La Liga's second-highest all-time top scorer behind Lionel Messi and ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Among fans and supporters, Smith is famously nicknamed "San Guillermo" ("Saint William") in honour of his role alongside former manager Diego Simeone in kickstarting a period of long-term dominance after a period of mediocrity and underachievement. Since October 2020, Smith has served as the club's life president, having been awarded the honour by club president Enrique Cerezo.

On the international level, Smith began his career via a brief stint with the United States under-20 national team, with whom he won the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in which he scored the lone winning goal in the finals against Japan. The following year, Smith was then promoted to and also captained the senior team, famously known as the '02 Dream Team, in which he won several competitions including the 2000 and 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cups, the 2001 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cups, and most notably the 2002 FIFA World Cup in which Smith famously scored a hat-trick in the finals to deliver the United States' first and only World Cup title via a memorable 5-0 win over Brazil. In 2003, Smith departed the United States, and in the following year, joined the England national team which he led to an equally historic victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup where a 5-2 win over Italy in the finals secured England their first World Cup title in forty years since their first title back in 1966. Following this, Smith went on to achieve further back-to-back success with England, winning their first-ever UEFA European Championship title in 2008 by defeating Germany 4-2 in the finals, as well as a second consecutive World Cup title in 2010 via a 5-0 win over the Netherlands, followed by a second consecutive European Championship win in 2012 in which Smith contributed a hat-trick to deliver a 4-2 victory over Spain in the finals. In 2014, Smith went on to deliver a record-breaking third consecutive World Cup title for England via a 4-2 win on penalties against Argentina while also personally becoming the first-ever player to win four World Cups, beating the previous record held by Pelé with three World Cup titles. In addition to his international stints with the United States and England, Smith also briefly captained the Great Britain national football team at the 2012 Summer Olympics which he successfully led to a 2-0 win over Mexico in the finals.

Having made a total of 124 appearances, Smith is the sixth-most-capped England player while otherwise its leading goalscorer with 160 goals. Similarly, although not necessarily the United States' most capped player, having made only 64 appearances in total, Smith is the country's all-time goalscorer with 68 goals. Among others, Smith is also the first and only player to win a World Cup title with two different countries as well as the first and only one of two to win four World Cups. Moreover, Smith is just the second player after Geoff Hurst to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final and also just the second after Luis Monti to have played in a World Cup final with two different countries. Meanwhile, Smith is the record holder for the most goals scored in both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship with forty and thirty-six goals respectively, as well as for the most matches played at the FIFA World Cup with a total of twenty-eight matches played from 2002 to 2014. With a total of 228 goals scored on the international level, Smith is the world's all-time leader for international goals and was formerly the all-time leader for international appearances with 188 appearances until surpassed by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Together with compatriots Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard, Smith is one-fourth of the famous "Ferocious Four", the four core members of the England national team that won three straight World Cups and two consecutive UEFA European Championships from 2006 to 2014 that was popularly known as the "Invincible Lions".

Around November 2019, Smith was appointed head coach of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, succeeding Mauricio Pochettino after an initial poor start to the 2019-20 season. Initially appointed on an interim basis, Smith subsequently won the club's first UEFA Champions League title in his debut season while also achieving a second-place finish in the league, thereby leading him to become the club's full-time manager over the next three seasons where in addition to a FA Cup and an EFL Cup title he also won the UEFA Champions League once again with Tottenham Hotspur as well as the Premier League for two consecutive seasons, becoming the first and only English and American manager to ever win the Premier League since its inception, the first and only one to do so consecutively, as well as one of five English and the only American manager to have won the UEFA Champions League. Considered to be the most successful Tottenham Hotspur manager of the modern era and popularly nicknamed "The Underdog King" by fans and supporters, Smith is well-known for his strict brand of professionalism and sportsmanship, tactical ingenuity, direct and fluid attacking play, as well as his preference for "mind games" through chants and songs. A self-professed "coach of the underdogs", Smith has received a number of honours and awards as head coach including LMA Manager of the Year, The Best FIFA Men's Coach, Onze d'Or Coach of the Year, and IFFHS World's Best Club Coach. At 42 years old, Smith is the joint-youngest manager with José Mourinho to have won the Premier League and is also tied with José Mourinho for the youngest manager to have won the UEFA Champions League at 41 years old.

Since retiring from professional football, Smith has served as president of The Football Association as well as an honorary advisor to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. As one of the most well-known and marketable football icons of his generation, Smith has embarked on a string of product endorsements since his retirement with the most notable instance being Adidas' King Smith sneakers that were introduced in 2015 to massive commercial success and are often considered as a direct rival to Nike's Air Jordans. In addition, he has also appeared in shows including the Apple TV+ sports comedy series Ted Lasso and the Netflix documentary The June 30th Miracle: Ten Years On. Moreover, he was also featured in Amazon Prime Video's All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur and its subsequent follow-up The Spursy Fantasy. Meanwhile, since 2012, Smith has been married to American actress Anne Hathaway, with whom he has four children. Often likened by the media to English poet William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway, the couple are popularly known together as "Will and Anne" and have starred together in several films including Valentine's Day, Ocean's 8, and Dark Waters. He is the older brother of journalist and politician Jacqueline Smith, the current leader of the Liberal Democrats, and professional footballer Prince Richard who captains the Premier League club Arsenal.

Early Life

The American actress Jaclyn Smith, best known for her role in the 1970s television series Charlie's Angels. She is Smith's biological mother through her nearly two-decades-long relationship with the future King Thomas

Born William Geoffrey Thomas Jack Smith on 11 May 1979, Smith was the oldest of two children of actress Jaclyn Smith and the heir to the British throne Prince Thomas. Having been born out of wedlock and from a largely secretive romantic affair between his parents, Smith, unlike his later half-siblings, was never officially made a prince, and therefore, despite being the firstborn son and a biological descendant of a member of the British royal family, was never included in the British line of succession to the throne. Reportedly named William after his paternal great-grandfather William Bacall, Smith, who officially took his mother's surname, was given three middle names in which two of them were in honour of his parents (with "Jack" being the masculine form of "Jacqueline") while the remaining one was deliberately chosen by his father in honour of the English footballer Geoff Hurst who famously scored a hat-trick in England's 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. In a 2017 interview with the BBC, Smith said, "In a way, it was almost sort of prophetic or inevitable that for someone named after the only footballer to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final, I would ultimately end up doing the same myself as well. In hindsight, my father was definitely right to name me in such a way, and for whatever reason behind it, the naming did certainly achieve its intended purpose". In this, despite the need for near-constant secrecy regarding his true identity, so as to avoid attracting unnecessary media attention, Smith nonetheless grew up in relative comfort and wealth under the care of his biological parents who despite never being married to one another agreed to raise their firstborn child together. In later interviews, Smith himself would describe his childhood as "a rather strange one, but nonetheless, one that I have many happy memories of", while also recounting that his father who despite being born of royalty was said to have "greatly encouraged me to be humble and true to who I am, that being the son of a middle-class woman from Houston, Texas". Additionally, his mother's paternal Jewish roots, which mirrored that of his father's maternal Jewish roots, are said to have also greatly instilled in him a considerable sense of Jewish identity although he never did necessarily converted to Judaism and instead mostly identified as a Protestant.

Early on, his father's native English roots, coupled with the United Kingdom having football as its most popular sport, consequently led a young Smith to be exposed to the sport at a rather early age, with Thomas himself even going so far as to set up a small football field at the back of their family home for his son's pleasure. afterward, Smith later noted, "While he wasn't exactly a devout fanatic or the sort when it comes to football, he would absolutely be the most thrilled person in the world whenever I put my feet on the ball". In addition to this, Smith was also taught in other sports such as swimming, tennis, and golfing, in line with his father's own sports-centric upbringing, which came about as a result of his grandfather King Charles III's own deep love for sports. Nonetheless, amidst all this, it was said that academic matters themselves were also given considerable importance, given that up to that point, no member of the British royal family has ever received a "normal" form of education nor has any of them ever officially graduated from either a public or private university. In this, despite his deep athletic leanings, Smith proved to be a fairly intelligent and well-educated student with a knack for discipline and mostly finishing his homework on time. A fairly all-rounder student, his favourite subjects include English, Physical Examination, and Mathematics.

In 1982, when he was around three years old, Smith would be joined by a younger sister Jacqueline, born on 22 June 1983, and who is named after her mother, albeit in a slightly varied way. Consequently, it later became a common practice to refer to Jacqueline as "Jack" or "Jackie" in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother with the most commonly used nickname being "Little Jackie". Meanwhile, during a 2017 interview with the BBC, Smith recounted that the two siblings "got along very well" and added that the departure of their father when they were only fourteen and ten respectively led Smith to assume a more leader-like role for the now family of three, stating, "Of course, not long after my father left, my mother finally remarried to another man meaning that in any case we were a family of four once again. Regardless, for as long as I could remember, when it came to Jackie, I was essentially the one protecting her and looking after her whenever possible which was something that I quickly learned from my biological father early on". Later on, Smith has credited such circumstances in shaping him into a natural leader, especially during his subsequent football years, stating, "The fact that if anything, I had to take charge and ensure that those I care about are fine and protected early on meant that when others were perhaps still struggling, I was already familiar with handling people which was admittedly a very helpful extra help for my career".

Teenagehood

"There are only three reasons as to why I love playing football and they are myself, family, and glory. Some do it for the money but I do it strictly for those three things from which I never wavered until the very last moments of my career."

Smith on why he pursued a career in professional football

When Smith was around sixteen years old, amidst pressure upon his father to marry an eligible woman in order to secure the future of the British monarchy, and the fact that Smith's mother Jaclyn Smith was, by virtue of her ex-husband, the actor Roger Davis still being alive at the time, therefore canonically ineligible to marry her beloved romantic partner, the small family of four was thus met with an unexpected setback when Thomas later departed the family, albeit in a heavily reluctant manner, in order to marry the American supermodel Christy Turlington, who the former had been seeing for some time and who was deemed a prospective candidate as a legitimate wife, given that unlike Smith, the former had never been divorced before, a condition that was reportedly the very obstacle to a potential marriage between Thomas himself and his then-romantic partner. Evidently, according to Smith himself, their father's departure was "one of the most difficult things in my life and one that tested our small family of four greatly with something that we could probably not have anticipated". Moreover, it was said that actress Jaclyn Smith herself later cried for "days on end" in the days following her romantic partner's departure although the presence of and support from her two children otherwise proved a comforting counterbalance to the actress's grievances. Therefore, for almost the next ten years or so, the now family of three continued to live in relative obscurity in Los Angeles, California, where the family had already made their home for a few years prior to Thomas' departure.

In the years since their romance officially came to an end, Smith's mother Jaclyn later remarried to American surgeon Brad Allen who Smith later described as a "kind and very caring stepfather" while asserting that "absolutely no one will ever come to replace my own biological father", adding that despite the two enjoying a relatively cordial relationship, both Smith and his sister were still mostly emotionally attached to their biological father, with whom the two longed on reuniting in the nearby future. In this, Smith sought to use his own football career as a means to do so by hopefully making himself noticeable in the eyes of major European football clubs, especially Manchester United, a club that he had supported since childhood and which would crucially allow him to move to England where his father mainly resides.

Club Career

LA Galaxy (1992 - 2003)

Youth Prospect

An aerial view of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where Smith spent his formative years prior to becoming a professional footballer

Having already shown a deep-seated interest in football at a rather young age, at thirteen, Smith was enrolled by his father at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, one of the country's most well-known sports academy that was first established in 1978. Early on, having quickly earned a reputation as a "hardworking" and "tenacious" youth prospect, Smith was able to quickly impress both his teammates and the officials at the academy, during which he quickly gained a reputation for an excellent playing style as well as a strong sense of discipline, with one of Smith's former educators at the academy later recounting the former as a "very dutiful" and "extremely hardworking" player while another described the California-born teenager as "someone who always wants to achieve all that he could and who also doesn't easily give up in doing so at the first sight of defeat". Eventually, at eighteen years old, Smith was finally granted a much-awaited senior soccer career when he was then chosen for LA Galaxy in just the second season of Major League Soccer.

Senior Team

Immediately after he was drafted by LA Galaxy, Smith soon made his debut in the club's first match in the 1997 season, namely a home match against D.C. United, where he scored his first goal for the club in the 23rd-minute, giving his team an initial 1-0 lead before a subsequent goal by D.C. United midfielder Richie Williams resulted in the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Then, in the following match against Kansas City Wizards, Smith, who initially started as a substitute, was called onto the pitch early on in the twelfth minute as a substitute for midfielder Coby Jones following which he proceeded to score a goal in the 49th-minute, thereby raising the scoreline to 3-3 before following it up with a brace in the 87th minute, with Smith's second goal proving to be the essential tiebreaker that resulted in LA Galaxy achieving a dramatic 4-3 win over their opponents. Deservedly so, Smith himself was then lauded as the man of the match and would proceed to feature almost regularly in the rest of the matches that season, during which he scored his first hat-trick in his professional career in another comeback victory, this time against Dallas Burn who LA Galaxy defeated 4-2 as a result of Smith's hat-trick. By the end of it, with twenty-eight appearances in total that season, Smith had managed to score a total of thirty-six goals, a number far higher than any other players in the league. Consequently, his stellar performance saw LA Galaxy clinch a spot in the playoffs. In this, a hat-trick from Smith allowed LA Galaxy to draw 3-3 Dallas Burn in the second game of the conference semi-finals although they were eventually eliminated 3-4 on penalties. Meanwhile, on 22 August 1997, Smith scored his first goal in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, namely in a 2-0 win over D.C. United, which he promptly followed up on August 24th to narrowly defeat the Liga MX side Cruz Azul 6-5 in the finals to clinch the club's first-ever title in the tournament.

The Brazilian football legend Pelé playing for the now-defunct North American Soccer League club New York Cosmos. His two-year presence at the club has been widely attributed to the sudden surge in popularity for soccer in the United States around the late 1970s

Meanwhile, despite having missed out on qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the following 1998 season would prove to be of some success, with LA Galaxy topping the Western Conference table as well as winning the Supporters' Shield that year. In the meantime, Smith personally proved successful in bettering his record from the previous season, scoring a total of forty-five goals in thirty appearances, during which he gained much attention for having scored two hat-tricks in a row on two separate occasions. This, coupled with the American public's vivid memories of Brazilian legend Pelé's time as a footballer in the United States roughly two decades prior during the 1970s, led media outlets to begin drawing comparisons between the young Smith and the Brazilian legend. Then, in the 1999 season, Smith also led the club to win its first U.S. Open Cup trophy with himself notably contributing two consecutive hat-tricks in a row to help LA Galaxy defeat both Rochester New York FC and the Colorado Rapids 3-1 in the semi-finals and finals respectively. In addition to this, Smith also provided the lone goal for his team in the MLS Cup 1999 match against D.C. United although this proved insufficient after a comeback by the latter ultimately sealed the match in their favour with a narrow 2-1 win over LA Galaxy. In the meantime, despite personally scoring a memorable hat-trick for LA Galaxy to break a 1-1 deadlock in the 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup qualifying playoff match against Mexican club Necaxa, and later two important goals in a 2-1 win over Deportivo Saprissa in the quarter-finals, Smith's club was ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals once again by D.C. United who later won the tournament 3-0 in the finals against Alajuelense.

In contrast, while his initial years at the club had been of mixed success in spite of his consistently promising performance, his last three years at LA Galaxy proved to be a more successful period, with Smith himself captaining the club to three straight U.S. Open Cup wins in a row, as well as back-to-back MLS Cup wins in 2002 and 2003 respectively. In addition to that, following the previous failure in the year beforehand, Smith finally saw much-awaited success in the 2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup where despite scoring just one goal this time around, that being a tiebreaking goal in the semi-finals against rivals D.C. United, he would ultimately win the tournament thanks to the club's 3-2 win over Olimpia in the finals. Then, after previously missing out on the 2002 edition, Smith would return to the tournament for one final time in 2003 where he began with a hat-trick against Motagua in the round of sixteen, thereby guaranteeing a dominant 6-2 victory before promptly following it up with four goals in the quarter-finals against Necaxa who initially appeared dominant with four goals in the first leg but who were ultimately forced into a penalty shootout thanks to Smith's four consequential goals, which later ended in a 4-2 win for LA Galaxy. Following this, a 6-2 win over another Mexican club Atlético Morelia in the semi-finals saw them reach the finals for the second time where they later drew 4-4 with another Mexican side Club Toluca, with the ensuing penalty shootout resulting in a narrow 3-4 loss to their opponents, thereby effectively ending Smith's hope of winning a second CONCACAF Champions Cup title. Meanwhile, despite having won the 2000 edition which would automatically qualify them for the FIFA Club World Championship, Smith and LA Galaxy were ultimately unable to participate in the ensuing 2001 edition after it was unexpectedly canceled by FIFA amidst financial difficulties.

With a total of 184 appearances, Smith had ultimately racked up a total of 227 goals, consequently making him the all-time goalscorer for both LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer, with the runner-up being Chris Wondolowski with 177 goals. In the meantime, with the end of the 2003 Major League Soccer season, Smith promptly announced his departure from LA Galaxy following a six-year-long period with his next move quickly becoming a subject of much media interest and speculation with one media outlet speculating on a rather unusual move to the Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, the parent club of fellow United States international Landon Donovan, who had then been on loan at San Jose Earthquakes, another Major League Soccer side. Nonetheless, several more well-known football clubs were also touted as Smith's likely destination with the illustrious Premier League club Manchester United being a likely candidate, especially given the fact that it was the very football club that Smith himself grew up supporting and which he had also publicly voiced his desire to play for in the near future. Aside from this, La Liga giants Real Madrid were also touted as a likely candidate owing to club president Florentino Pérez's Galácticos philosophy that revolves around signing talented big-name players to the club which saw the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and David Beckham arrive at the club in recent years.

Florentino Pérez, chairman of La Liga club Real Madrid from 2000 to 2006 and again since 2009 during which he made two unsuccessful attempts to bring William Smith to Real Madrid as part of the Galácticos project

In the end, on 1 August 2004, the BBC would be the first to announce that Smith had signed for the Premier League side Manchester United for a world-record £68 million, the news of which quickly drew much attention to the already well-known and decorated Premier League club, whose fans and supporters later crowded Old Trafford to personally witness the unveiling of Smith as the club's newest player with the stadium itself later said to be at almost full capacity as each seat was taken up by anxious fans waiting to see the rising American-born footballer. In the meantime, Real Madrid chairman Florentino Pérez was said to have been "extremely distraught" and according to some "somewhat livid" upon learning of the news given that the club's scouting agents alongside its well-known players such as Ronaldo and David Beckham have all initially attempted to convince the young American star to sign for the La Liga giants under the premise of playing with some of football's greatest talents around. Later, according to Beckham, despite the allure of potentially playing with some of football's greatest talents in one team, Smith reportedly remarked, "Real Madrid sounds nice but I'm a Manchester United fan and I'm going to sign for that club no matter what". Meanwhile, in his autobiography, Smith revealed that the famous German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, reportedly impressed by Smith's performance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, attempted to convince him to sign for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich (which Kahn himself is a part of), stating, "When Oliver heard that I was coming to Europe, he gave me a phone call once and told me to come to Bayern because, with the way I played, he said I could definitely be the American version of Gerd Müller, an undeniable German football legend, and that I would make a great striker to play with while he is the goalkeeper". In response, while admitting his flattery by such a comparison, Smith himself later expressed his desire to "not be the American or English version of some great legend but just myself in all my own glory and success".

Afterward, in 2010, when Smith bid farewell to Manchester United, Real Madrid, having then signed Cristiano Ronaldo from the English club the year before, once again attempted to lure Smith with a contract much luxurious than that offered to his Portuguese teammate but which was once again rejected as the latter subsequently chose Atlético Madrid instead in his move to La Liga. In the words of former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Smith was, in the eyes of Real Madrid supporters, "the one that got away", and in Pérez's eyes, "the holy grail that he never achieved". Even more so, as Smith himself would later spearhead Atlético Madrid to five straight UEFA Champions League titles, Real Madrid's ultimate inability to ever acquire Smith's services became ever more consequential and hard-hitting, with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stating, "Undoubtedly, all three of us had our own greatest player but Diego, judging by the titles that he won, was definitely the luckiest and as some people would say had struck gold in getting him when others instead failed". Similarly, BBC Sport later dubbed it "The Steal of the Century", adding, "Truly, for someone of his stature at the time, one would mostly ever consider between Real Madrid and Barcelona but instead he did the opposite and will certainly have a rare legacy to speak of for generations".

Manchester United (2004 - 2010)

Early Years

"Without a doubt, bringing him to the club straight from Major League Soccer was one of or if not the best decision I've ever made as manager in my entire life."

Former Manchester United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson on signing Smith for the club

On 1 August 2004, just a day after a friendly match against A.C. Milan, Smith, by then a free agent and on a temporary break from professional football following his historic triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, was officially announced to have joined Manchester United with his transfer to the club said to have then brought "extreme delight" for longtime head coach Sir Alex Ferguson who later remarked in a 2014 interview, "The fact that a recent World Cup champion and the man who scored a hat-trick to defeat the mighty Brazil was just walking around as a free agent waiting for a club to sign him is like a dream come true and the fact that Manchester United was the one who did it will always be something that I'll be proud of for the rest of my life". Soon enough, on 8 August 2004, Smith would make his debut for the club just a week later in the 2004 FA Community Shield match against Arsenal, where he was called in early on in the 19th-minute as a substitute for Paul Scholes, who had to be subbed off following an unfortunate injury on his left thigh. Then, following an initial 55th-minute goal by Alan Smith, Smith himself netted a late goal, his first ever for the club, in the 91st-minute following a successful run down the right flank past Arsenal defenders although this proved not enough to ultimately avoid a narrow 2-3 defeat at the hands of Arsenal who ultimately won the match by a rather thin 3-2 margin.

Nonetheless, not long after his debut at the FA Community Shield match, Smith was then featured in Manchester United's first Premier League match of the season that year, where after once again coming on as a substitute in the 25th-minute, Smith proceeded to immediately make a name for himself in the English football scene by scoring a hat-trick in the 84th minute, thereby allowing The Red Devils to easily beat Chelsea 4-1, after they were initially down by 0-1. Following this, Smith was once again employed as a "super sub" in the next two matches, before an injury during his third league match led him to miss the next few subsequent games. However, shortly after his return, Smith, now a regular starter for the club, once more caught the football world by storm when in his returning match against Portsmouth, Smith scored his second hat-trick to save the club from a 0-2 defeat, something which he came to emulate in the next three matches against Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Charlton Athletic respectively. However, this too ultimately proved not enough to win The Red Devils the Premier League season that year, with the club finishing as runner-up behind rivals Chelsea. Nonetheless, his overall performance for the club, made especially notable by the thirty-five goals he scored, the highest ever that year in both the Premier League and in European football saw him receive both a Premier League Golden Boot award and an European Golden Shoe award that year, which only further raised his image in the wider footballing community. In that same season, Smith also made his mark in the UEFA Champions League, where throughout the course of the competition, he recorded a total of three separate hat-tricks, whilst notably scoring the lone goal in the finals against Liverpool, thereby avoiding a narrow 0-1 defeat, before proceeding to beat their English rivals 4-2 in a penalty shootout, awarding the club their third Champions League title.

Peak of Success and Departure to Atlético Madrid

The Manchester United squad celebrating their historic sextuple triumph

For the following season, Smith continued to display a consistently positive performance, helping The Red Devils to finally win the Premier League albeit by their narrowest margin yet, that is by just one point ahead of runners-up Chelsea. Similarly, the club also found much success in the FA Cup and EFL Cup respectively but otherwise fell short of winning the UEFA Champions League for a second consecutive time following a narrow 4-5 defeat via penalty shootouts to Barcelona in the quarter-finals after both teams were tied at 5-5. Then, following the next two seasons where Manchester United continued to see much consistent success in the domestic scene, Smith's time with the club came to a high point when in 2009 the club became the first-ever European team to achieve a sextuple by winning the 2008-09 Premier League season, the 2008-09 FA Cup season, the 2009 FA Community Shield, the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League season, as well as the 2009 UEFA Super Cup and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup. In the following season, as well as the season beforehand, Manchester United surprisingly came close to achieving another sextuple if not for an unfortunate loss in the FA Cup in both seasons in a testament to the club's overall dominance at the time. Meanwhile, in 2009, Smith twice made history in the Premier League, firstly by scoring a record seven goals in a historic 10-0 win over Fulham on February 18th and secondly by scoring four goals in a 7-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on September 12th. In this, his seven goals scored, currently an unbroken league record, saw Manchester United once again mark the biggest win in Premier League history, surpassing their own previous record of a 9-0 win over Ipswich in which Andy Cole scored a record five goals. Moreover, having previously set the new record for the most goals scored in a Premier League season with 39 goals in his second season with Manchester United, Smith, over the course of his last two seasons with the club, established a new record of 41 goals in both seasons which would remain unbroken until Arsenal's Richard scored a record 45 goals in the 2022-23 season.

Following the end of the 2009-10 season, after it was reported by the BBC that Smith did not wish to renew his six-year contract with Manchester United, rumours quickly arose regarding his next destination with several of Europe's biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus being touted as his next club. In addition, derby rivals Manchester City, whose new owner Sheikh Mansour once reportedly thought of acquiring the Manchester United forward's services in what was then considered a "direct sabotage" of their biggest rivals, was also briefly considered until Smith himself promptly refuted such rumours, stating, "I'll be leaving Manchester United soon but never for its very own rivals in my entire life". Eventually, in a move that sparked much surprise from many observers, it was announced by the Spanish newspaper Marca that Atlético Madrid had acquired Smith for a world-record transfer fee of £82.5 million (€96 million), an amount that slightly surpassed that of the previous world-record fee of £80 million paid by Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo the previous year, in a lucrative contract that would see him remain with the club for a total of five years with the option of an additional year while also including a €1 billion buy-out clause in a deliberate attempt to ward off encroaching competitors especially city rivals Real Madrid who were similarly interested in acquiring Smith's services for themselves.

During his ensuing presentation ceremony to club supporters at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, Smith spoke of a "bittersweet feeling" of leaving his much-beloved Manchester United which he had long dreamt of playing for since childhood. However, pointing to his new club's "underdog" status, Smith explained that his decision to join Atlético Madrid was to "face a new challenge for myself", adding, "When people talk about La Liga, they always say that Real Madrid and Barcelona are the strongest clubs around and the only ones who can win the Champions League. Now, just as I did before with the United States at the World Cup, I'm going to prove those same people wrong and show that Atlético Madrid is just as strong or even stronger than both clubs and could absolutely win the Champions League as well". Meanwhile, in his best-selling autobiography, Smith later wrote of a "difficult conundrum" that he faced prior to leaving Manchester United, stating, "Without a doubt, I always wanted to play for Manchester United ever since I could walk but as excited and thrilled as I was scoring goals while wearing the red jersey, at some point, the game itself just felt a bit too easy for me when all we could seemingly do was just win titles left and right with almost no one apparently able to stop us. At that point, I stopped myself and asked whether I wanted to be a long-lasting servant of the club who could just win anything with just one goal or someone who was always challenged by equally strong opponents of the highest levels of the game who could be challenging me to be better than I previously was each time. In the end, I chose the latter".

"Out of all the players that left during my time, Smith leaving was definitely the hardest I had to take and the most difficult one that I had to come back from. Truth be told, we were never the same without him anymore."

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reflecting on Smith's departure from Manchester United in 2010

By the time of his departure, Smith's total goal tally of 471 across all competitions established him as the all-time goalscorer for Manchester United while his 225 goals scored in the Premier League currently makes him the second-highest all-time goalscorer behind Alan Shearer with 260 goals with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane almost coming close to surpass him with 221 goals. Meanwhile, until 2023, Smith formerly held the record for the most goals scored in a Premier League season with 41 goals until Arsenal's Richard surpassed it with 45 goals in the 2022-23 season. Since then, Smith has remained a hugely popular and highly celebrated figure among Manchester United supporters who famously nicknamed him "The Red Prince" due to his royal lineage and the club's traditional red colours. Moreover, together with Wayne Rooney and Eric Cantona, Smith is considered to be one of Manchester United's greatest forwards of the Premier League era and, among some supporters, is even considered to be the successor to the late Bobby Charlton. As of current, Smith is the only American player to have won the Premier League and only one of two Americans to have won the UEFA Champions League alongside Jovan Kirovski.

Following the end of the 2022-23 season, the departures of goalkeeper David de Gea and defender Phil Jones, the last few players remaining from the Ferguson era, left Manchester United without a Premier League winner for the first time in three decades. However, after almost eight years away, the club later re-signed academy graduate Jonny Evans, who was part of the historic 2008-09 sextuple-winning squad, making the Northern Ireland defender the only player at Manchester United so far to have won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, titles which Manchester United last won in the 2012-13 and 2009-10 seasons respectively.

Atlético Madrid (2010 - 2019)

Debut season & Europa League triumph

On August 30th, Smith made his La Liga debut in a home match against Sporting Gijón in which Smith, despite not scoring a goal himself, played an active role in the club's dominant 4-0 win over their opponents. Nonetheless, in the following match against Athletic Bilbao on September 11th, Smith soon made his mark at the club by scoring a hat-trick in the 76th minute, allowing Atlético Madrid to easily defeat their opponents 5-1. However, throughout the next few matches or so, Smith experienced a temporary goal draught that saw the club lose to both Barcelona and Sevilla while otherwise drawing with Valencia although this soon came to an end when Smith subsequently scored just his second hat-trick for the club in a dramatic 3-2 win over Villareal who initially led 2-0 by the 52nd minute before a subsequent hat-trick from Smith in the 58th minute turned the match upside down in Atlético Madrid's favour. Then, a third hat-trick followed in a November 13th fixture against Osasuna along with his first brace for the club just a week later against Real Sociedad, the latter which he wasted no time in following up on by scoring a fourth hat-trick in a dramatic 5-3 win over Espanyol. A fifth hat-trick followed in a 3-0 win over Racing Santander although this itself was followed by a heavy 1-4 defeat to Hércules and an ensuing 4-0 win over Mallorca. Following this, amidst a string of poor performances which saw the club lose once again to Barcelona by 3-0 via a Lionel Messi hat-trick, Smith nonetheless proved vital in scoring a decisive 47th-minute goal that helped them draw 2-2 against Valencia. Then, after scoring two consecutive hat-tricks that allowed Atlético Madrid to defeat Sevilla and Getafe 5-2 and 4-1 respectively, Smith soon scored his first goal against La Liga giants Real Madrid in a 2-2 draw on March 29th, which he followed up with a tiebreaking brace in the 69th minute against Espanyol, who the club ultimately defeated 4-2 thanks to a separate brace from Sergio Agüero in the 61st minute. In the end, Smith would cap off his first season with Atlético Madrid through yet another hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Deportivo La Coruña, a brace in a 2-3 loss to Málaga, and his final brace of the season in a 6-3 win over Mallorca on the final day at which point he finished as the club's leading goalscorer with 34 goals in 36 appearances, the second-highest behind Cristiano Ronaldo and ahead of Lionel Messi. In the meantime, with a total of 74 points, Atlético Madrid also qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage alongside giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Separately, on December 22nd, Smith also made his Copa del Rey debut in a much similar fashion, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg of the round of 32 to mark a final 9-1 win on aggregate against Universidad de Las Palmas although he did not otherwise score any further with Atlético Madrid subsequently losing 4-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, on September 16th, Smith scored his first two goals in the UEFA Europa League in a 3-1 win over Greek side Aris, which he soon followed up with another brace in a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen, followed by one goal in a 3-1 win over Rosenborg and another single goal in a 3-3 draw against Aris. Then, following a narrow 6-5 win on aggregate against Dynamo Kyiv, Atlético Madrid, courtesy of a hat-trick from Smith in both legs of the round of 16, marked a dominant 11-3 victory over Manchester City before proceeding to demolish Portuguese sides Braga and Benfica 6-3 and 6-2 respectively as well as another Portuguese side Porto 4-0 in the finals to win their second UEFA Europa League title in a row after their first one that was achieved by a 2-1 win over English side Fulham, thereby qualifying them once again for the UEFA Super Cup in which Atlético Madrid narrowly defeated Barcelona 3-2 to follow up on their previous 1-0 win over Smith's former club Manchester United in the previous edition.

Diego Simeone Era

"From the beginning, I knew that together we're going to do something special and remarkable at the club, and during those five years we certainly did a lot."

Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone on his five-year partnership with Smith

In his second season with the club, Smith began rather promisingly, scoring an important tiebreaking goal in the opening match against Osasuna and a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Racing Santander although this was soon met by a heavy 0-5 loss to Barcelona. Nonetheless, in the next two matches against Sevilla and Granada respectively, Smith proved to be a vital player, scoring one goal on both occasions to break the 0-0 deadlock each time and later a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Rayo Vallecano that followed a previous 1-4 defeat to Real Madrid in which at least five Atlético Madrid players were booked while two, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, were sent off. Then, on January 7th, his first match under newly-appointed manager Diego Simeone, Smith scored a memorable brace to mark a 2-0 win over Malaga following a previous poor run of form before going on to score at least two further consecutive braces against Villareal and Real Sociedad respectively and later a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over CA Osasuna. Soon enough, in what was seen by many as a "return" to his full potential under the new management of the tactically sound Diego Simeone, Smith scored at least two further goals to break deadlocks against Valencia and Sporting Gijón respectively before soon following it up with a brace in a dramatic 3-2 win over Barcelona, his first since arriving in La Liga. Following this, two consecutive hat-tricks were also produced in wins against Sevilla and Granada respectively, followed by a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Mallorca and a brace in a narrow 3-4 loss to Real Madrid in which a late 88th-minute goal from José Callejón which followed a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick beforehand saw the latter narrowly edge over their opponent. Nonetheless, a hat-trick in the final match against Villareal, who consequently lost 0-4 to Atlético Madrid, saw Smith rack up a total of 40 goals in 34 appearances, breaking his own personal record of 39 goals for Manchester United in the Premier League. Meanwhile, despite a brace from Smith in the second leg, Atlético Madrid were otherwise eliminated from the Copa del Rey following a 3-4 loss on penalties to Albacete. However, they did make much progress in the UEFA Champions League, topping their group and advancing all the way to the finals where they later defeated Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich 2-0 to win their first-ever UEFA Champions League title but not before also overcoming their rivals Barcelona 4-2 on penalties following a 4-4 draw in the round of 16 which preceded a narrow 4-3 win in the quarter-finals against AC Milan and a dramatic 5-3 win over Chelsea in the semi-finals. Following up on this, the club then defeated fellow Spanish side Athletic Bilbao 5-2 in the UEFA Super Cup via an 83rd-minute hat-trick from Smith and later Brazilian club Corinthians 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the FIFA Club World Cup, also a first for the club.

For the 2012-13 season, his first full season under Diego Simeone, Smith started off rather promisingly, scoring a hat-trick in a 7-3 win over Rayo Vallecano along with a goal in a dominant 5-2 win over Real Betis. Soon enough, despite subsequent losses to Valencia and Real Madrid, Smith himself enjoyed a consistent goalscoring form with 16 goals in 15 appearances that led to Atlético Madrid briefly enjoying a streak of nine unbeaten games. Then, following yet another impressive performance in a narrow 3-4 loss to Barcelona on December 16th, Smith soon scored his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-0 win over Celta Vigo, followed by another one in a 3-3 draw against Athletic Bilbao, and a third one which crucially helped them defeat Rayo Vallecano 4-2. Then, Smith also provided decisive tiebreaking goals against Valencia and Getafe to initially make it five games unbeaten and later six games unbeaten when a hat-trick from the former in an April 27th fixture saw him defeat Real Madrid 4-2 for the first time since arriving in the top Spanish football league at which point by season's end Smith had scored a total of 40 goals for the second consecutive time, making him once again the second-highest goalscorer that season behind Lionel Messi whilst Atlético Madrid finished second with 86 points behind Barcelona, their best finish in two decades since they last won the league in the 1995-96 season. Meanwhile, Smith also proved to be a much valuable component in the club's Copa del Rey victory that season, during which he scored a hat-trick in the second leg of the round of 16 to defeat Getafe 6-0 on aggregate while also contributing one goal of his own in the finals where they defeated Real Madrid 3-1. Similarly, a 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund saw Atlético Madrid win just their second UEFA Champions League title in a row during which a hat-trick from Smith in both legs saw them defeat Barcelona 10-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals while rivals Real Madrid were otherwise eliminated in the semi-finals by a 3-4 loss on aggregate to runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Then, a hat-trick from Smith saw them defeat UEFA Europa League winners Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup which they duly followed up on by defeating Moroccan club Raja Casablanca 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Moreover, having won the Copa del Rey, the club also faced La Liga champions Barcelona in the Supercopa de España where they narrowly defeated their opponent 3-1 courtesy of a tiebreaking brace from Smith in the second leg that broke the 1-1 deadlock in the first leg.

Sextuple Success

For the 2013-14 season, Smith once again made a generally promising start, scoring two consecutive braces against Real Sociedad and Almería respectively, a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Real Madrid and a single goal in a 1-1 draw with Espanyol which saw Atlético Madrid go ten matches unbeaten, their best start in decades, and which only extended further to twenty-three games in total during which he scored a further two hat-tricks in the process. Then, despite a 0-2 loss to Almería, the club proved quick to re-establish their unbeaten streak with a hat-trick from Smith in a 3-3 draw against Osasuna proving vital in maintaining the aforementioned streak. Moreover, another hat-trick from Smith soon afterward also saw Atlético Madrid defeat Real Madrid 5-2 and later Barcelona 4-1 on the final day of the season which they eventually came to win to mark their first La Liga title in almost two decades. In spite of this, hopes for a historic sextuple were quickly quashed following a 1-5 defeat to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. On the other hand, following a hat-trick from Smith that saw Atlético Madrid mark a dominant 5-1 win over Barcelona in the quarter-finals, the club otherwise avenged their initial defeat by triumphing over Real Madrid in a narrow 2-1 win in the UEFA Champions League final to mark the third consecutive European title for Atlético Madrid who later defeated Sevilla 5-4 on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup and also San Lorenzo 4-2 in the FIFA Club World Cup, the latter in which Smith himself scored a hat-trick on both occasions to also mark a dominant 7-2 victory over Mexican side Cruz Azul. To top it off, the club also won the ensuing Supercopa de España match, defeating Real Madrid 4-1 on aggregate.

In the following season, Smith started rather brilliantly early on, scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Rayo Vallecano, over whom they subsequently won 3-0. However, despite a second hat-trick from Smith on September 27th which saw Atlético Madrid defeat Sevilla 7-0, the club otherwise met their first defeat in the following match against Valencia to whom they narrowly lost 2-3. Regardless, another hat-trick and a brace from Smith saw them quickly rebound to especially deal a heavy 4-0 defeat to Getafe while also drawing 2-2 with Real Sociedad in the process. Then, Smith himself went on to deliver two consecutive hat-tricks that saw Atlético Madrid defeat Deportivo La Coruña and Elche 5-0 each while a lone goal from the former also help them to draw 1-1 against Villareal. Moreover, a hat-trick from Smith on January 11th also saw them overcome rivals Barcelona once again in a narrow 4-3 win which Smith quickly capitalised upon by providing a second consecutive hat-trick in a following 5-0 win over Granada before later following it up with yet another hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Real Madrid on February 7th. Following this, Smith would eventually cap off an ultimately successful season once more with a hat-trick in the penultimate match against Barcelona and another one in the final match of the season against Granada, who Atlético Madrid defeated 3-1 and 3-0 respectively to ultimately win the La Liga for an unprecedented second season in a row during which he also achieved a new personal record of 48 goals in 36 appearances which saw him share the Pichichi Trophy as the season's top goalscorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, having also won it the season before over the Portuguese. In the meantime, with their second consecutive league title win, Atlético Madrid became the first Spanish club in almost three decades that is neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona to win the La Liga two seasons in a row since Athletic Bilbao last won the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons in a row themselves. On the other hand, Atlético Madrid later found themselves eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey via a narrow 3-4 loss on aggregate to Barcelona although they soon earned their revenge in a 5-2 win against the latter in the UEFA Champions League to claim a record-breaking fourth UEFA Champions League title in a row, making them just one of two clubs alongside Real Madrid to have won it more than three consecutive times. Then, as per tradition, the club subsequently defeated Sevilla 1-0 in the UEFA Super Cup and later River Plate 5-2 in the FIFA Club World Cup in which Smith scored a brace in the process. Moreover, the club also defeated Barcelona 3-1 in the ensuing Supercopa de España with Smith himself scoring three goals in total to override their opponents' lone goal through Lionel Messi.

The San Siro in Milan, Italy, which hosted the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, with the former subsequently winning the match 4-1 and later going on to achieve a historic sextuple in a first for a Spanish side and the second in European history after Manchester United

In the following season, despite not scoring in the first two matches, Smith proved quick to return to his goalscoring form by scoring a memorable brace in the third fixture of the season against Barcelona on September 12th who Atlético Madrid defeated 3-1 to mark another rare victory over the La Liga giants. Then, after scoring yet another brace that overturned an initial 1-0 defeat into a dramatic 2-1 win for the club over Villareal, Smith soon scored his first hat-trick of the season in a November 8th fixture against Sporting Gijón that ended in a 4-0 win, which he followed up on with another brace in a 3-0 win over Levante, a lone equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with Málaga, and a second hat-trick in a dominant 6-0 win over Las Palmas. Following this, Smith then further provided a lone equalising goal in a 2-2 draw against Barcelona on January 30th, followed by a third hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Getafe and a brace that broke the 0-0 deadlock in a February 21st fixture against Villareal that preceded a 1-0 win over Real Madrid just six days later. Eventually, a hat-trick, followed by a separate brace from Smith saw the club notably become the third Spanish side in history to win a season undefeated as they were soon crowned La Liga champions for a record-breaking third consecutive time while also setting the record for the most points accumulated in a La Liga season with a grand total of 106 points during which the club won thirty-four matches while only drawing four and sustaining zero defeats in the process. In the meantime, the club also won the Copa del Rey that season, defeating Barcelona 4-1 in the finals courtesy of a brace from Smith who also scored a consequential goal in the quarter-finals that resulted in a subsequent 5-3 win on penalties over Celta Vigo which preceded a 4-2 win on penalties in the semi-finals over Sevilla. Moreover, in the UEFA Champions League, a 5-0 demolition of PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals, followed by 3-2 and 4-2 wins over Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, soon culminated in a 4-1 win over rivals and La Liga giants Real Madrid where Smith, in what was initially his final appearance for the club, scored a decisive 51th-minute hat-trick to deliver a record-breaking fifth consecutive UEFA Champions League title for Atlético Madrid, a feat it shares with Real Madrid, while also notably becoming the first Spanish side to achieve a domestic treble. In this, despite an initial plan to retire at that exact moment, after he was reportedly spurred by the likely possibility of the club achieving a sextuple, Smith opted to renew his contract with Atlético Madrid for a further three years with the new concrete aim of retiring and celebrating his impending fortieth birthday with his La Liga teammates and head coach Diego Simeone. To that end, Smith went on to score a hat-trick to demolish Sevilla 6-0 in the UEFA Super Cup and also Kashima Antlers 6-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup. Likewise, three goals from Smith also saw Atlético Madrid comfortably defeat Barcelona 6-2 to win the Supercopa de España, thereby officially making the club only the second European side after Manchester United and the first Spanish side in history to achieve a sextuple, a feat that neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona was able to achieve during their respective heydays.

Final Years

In his first season since renewing his contract with the club, Smith started off in an expectedly brilliant fashion, scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Alavés which they easily won 3-0. Following this, Smith also provided an additional goal in a 5-0 demolition of Celta Vigo although he otherwise failed to break the 1-1 deadlock against Barcelona afterward. Then, after contributing a couple of assists in a similarly huge 7-1 demolition of Granada on October 15th, just a week later, Smith proved to be his club's saviour by scoring twice in a narrow 2-1 win over Sevilla. Following this, Smith went on to score a hat-trick in two consecutive matches, one of which proved crucial in defeating Real Sociedad by a rather thin 3-2 margin, although his two subsequent goals proved insufficient to avoid a narrow 2-3 loss to Real Madrid whose star player Cristiano Ronaldo scored a memorable hat-trick in the process. On 28 January 2017, in avenging a previous 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao, Smith scored yet another hat-trick to defeat Alavés by a similar 3-0 margin as he previously did. Regardless, a subsequent hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Real Madrid, coupled with a tiebreaking goal on the penultimate day against Betis, resulted in Atlético Madrid for a record-breaking fourth season in a row albeit with only two points ahead of runners-up Real Madrid. Meanwhile, in the Copa del Rey, despite scoring thrice to mark a dominant 7-3 win over Las Palmas in the round of 16, Smith otherwise proved unsuccessful in leading Atlético Madrid to the finals courtesy of a narrow 2-3 loss on aggregate to Barcelona in the semi-finals. Regardless, in the UEFA Champions League, a crucial pair of goals from Smith saw the club top their group unbeaten and ahead of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in second place, something that he promptly capitalised upon with a hat-trick that saw them further defeat another German side Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 on aggregate in the round of 16. Then, after further helping to demolish surprise English champions Leicester City in the quarter-finals, in what was later described as one of the most dramatic pre-final confrontations in the tournament, Smith once again showed his importance to Atlético Madrid by scoring twice in the first leg, thereby mitigating the effects of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, and once in the second leg to dramatically defeat their arch rivals 5-4 on aggregate to progress to the finals for a record-breaking sixth consecutive time where a hat-trick from Smith in extra-time, aided by goals from Kevin Gameiro and Gabi, saw Atlético Madrid clinch their sixth consecutive European title via a 5-1 win over Serie A side Juventus. In this, Smith himself both broke his own record of 22 goals scored in a UEFA Champions League season and also set a new record of 29 goals while his eleven goals scored in the Copa del Rey in that same season is also his new personal best. As per tradition, courtesy of being European champions, Atlético Madrid subsequently faced the UEFA Europa League winners which in this case was Smith's former club Manchester United which was now spearheaded at the front by Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Eventually, the dramatic reunion, which is also the first and only time that Smith ever faced Manchester United since his departure, ended in a 3-1 win for Atlético Madrid who later proceeded to defeat the Emirati side Al Jazira and the Brazilian club Grêmio, with the latter especially succumbing to a 5-0 loss in which both Kevin Gameiro and Saúl Ñíguez scored twice to complete the 5-0 rout. Meanwhile, in a dramatic and tense affair that was particularly evident in the second leg, a brace from Smith saw Atlético Madrid narrowly prevail and emerge victorious to defeat Barcelona 7-5 in spite of a spirited second-half comeback by the latter who came close to equalising with their opponents and forcing the game into extra time.

For his second post-renewal season, Smith once more made a positive start, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 8-1 win over Las Palmas following a 2-2 draw with Girona on the opening match. Then, amidst failures to break the deadlock against clubs such as Valencia and Leganés, Smith, having scored a brace in an otherwise convincing 4-0 win over Sevilla on September 23rd, proved his worth once again by scoring a hat-trick in an October 15th fixture against Barcelona which they consequently won 4-1. Likewise, on November 18th, arch-rivals Real Madrid were also defeated convincingly by a 2-0 scoreline, followed by Atlético Madrid then convincingly defeating both Levante and Real Sociedad by five goals each. However, a shock 0-1 loss to Espanyol on December 22nd brought an end to their unbeaten streak and briefly blunted their momentum before the club promptly rebounded with two consecutive 2-0 victories in which Smith himself scored once to mark a 2-0 win over Eibar. In this, Smith also scored a tiebreaking goal to mark a 2-1 win over Girona, thereby avenging the previous stalemate. Afterward, Smith himself went on to display a consistent promising performance throughout, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Las Palmas, one goal in a 2-0 win over Valencia, and most crucially, a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over rivals Barcelona who initially led early on via Lionel Messi before Atlético Madrid promptly replied through their own star forward. In the end, despite a slight decline in form throughout the closing matches of the season, by just one point ahead of runners-up Barcelona, Atlético Madrid emerged victorious for the fifth season in a row. Meanwhile, in the Copa del Rey, aside from scoring once in a dominant 8-0 win over Lleida Esportiu, Smith also crucially contributed a hat-trick and an additional goal to narrowly defeat Sevilla 6-5 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, a feat which he followed up on with an additional goal to complete an 8-0 rout of Leganés. Meanwhile, in the ensuing finals at Estadio de los Santos, despite taking the lead early on, Barcelona were ultimately defeated by Atlético Madrid 3-7 in which Smith's hat-trick perfectly complemented goals from teammates Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco, and Saúl Ñíguez who notably scored twice in the match to claim their first Copa del Rey title after a two-year interruption. Meanwhile, after easily cruising past Shakhtar Donetsk via a 7-1 win on aggregate, Smith and Atlético Madrid were once again drawn against Barcelona in the quarter-finals where in a dramatic turn of events they managed to overturn Barcelona's initial 3-1 lead from the first leg into a stunning 8-3 comeback win on aggregate with where a brace from Smith was otherwise overshadowed by a hat-trick from club captain Koke. Following this, a solo hat-trick from Smith saw Atlético Madrid comfortably eliminate their English opponents Liverpool in the semi-finals, thereby setting the stage for another clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid. In this, a seemingly inevitable Smith hat-trick which complemented goals from teammates Nicolás Gaitán, Saúl Ñíguez, and Koke saw Atlético Madrid once again emerge victorious to claim their now seventh UEFA Champions League title. In this, the club then went on to defeat UEFA Europa League winners Olympique de Marseille and also the Emirati club Al Ain 4-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup respectively, thereby making the Supercopa de España the only tournament left to win for a second historic sextuple. For this purpose, Atlético Madrid were once again drawn against Barcelona where a hat-trick from Smith resulted in a 3-3 draw, hence leading to a penalty shootout which they ultimately won 4-1, thereby officially confirming a second sextuple for the club with head coach Diego Simeone, in turn, becoming the only manager to achieve the feat twice and with the same club whereas Smith now holds three sextuple achievements to his name, the single-most for any player.

For his final season with Atlético Madrid, Smith kickstarted his final run with the club with a brace in a September fixture against Celta Vigo which consequently ended in a 2-2 draw. Then, on September 15th, Smith scored his first hat-trick of the season to deliver a 4-1 win over Eibar which was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win over Getafe a week later. However, after scoring yet another hat-trick against Huesca, Smith instead failed to break the deadlock against arch-rivals Real Madrid, a shortcoming that he compensated for with a tiebreaking goal in a 2-1 win over FC Barcelona on November 24th. Then, on December 8th, a third hat-trick from Smith completed a dominant 6-0 win over Alavés and a similarly dominant 4-0 win over Espanyol which was also thanks to another of Smith's hat-tricks. Then, despite subsequent losses to Real Betis and Real Madrid, the club proved quick to find their winning ways once more with Smith personally contributing two goals to a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad. On 16 March 2019, a Smith hat-trick allowed Atlético Madrid to mark a dramatic 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao although they were otherwise defeated by Barcelona 2-0 in the following month, a setback that, as Smith scored his last couple of goals in a 4-2 win over Levante on the final day, proved not enough to deny Atlético Madrid their last and sixth consecutive La Liga title under Smith. Meanwhile, in the Copa del Rey, after scoring a valuable hat-trick to defeat Girona 7-4 on aggregate in the round of 16, Smith also provided an additional but nonetheless crucial goal to see off Real Madrid in the quarter-finals via a 4-2 win on aggregate, thereby drawing them once again with Barcelona where a hat-trick and two further goals from Smith resulted in Barcelona's elimination via a 4-8 loss on aggregate, thereby clearing them to the finals where they narrowly defeated a defiant Valencia 3-2 with Smith's tiebreaking goal complementing earlier goals from Antoine Griezmann and Thomas Partey. Meanwhile, in the UEFA Champions League, Smith was unexpectedly reunited with his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo who now plays for the Italian side Juventus, having made a dramatic move from his longtime club Real Madrid. In this, a hat-trick from Smith in the first leg proved sufficient to offset the consequences of a hat-trick in the second leg from Ronaldo himself whose club was therefore eliminated via a 3-5 loss on aggregate. Following this, the club then faced Dutch heavyweights Ajax whom Smith and his teammates worked well and swiftly to demolish by an impressive 13-0 on aggregate during which Diego Costa secured a hat-trick of his own as did Smith as well. Consequently, the club then faced Tottenham Hotspur, a club that Smith would later manage himself, with the occasion gaining much coverage from the media who quickly framed it as a "battle" between two of England's captains, namely Smith himself and Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. In the end, a hat-trick from Smith, coupled with a brace from José Giménez, and a few other goals by Atlético Madrid players saw the seven-time European champions demolish their English opponents by 8-1 on aggregate, thereby resulting in a final against Liverpool on Atlético Madrid's home ground, a circumstance that was well exploited by the players with Smith himself going on to score his final hat-trick and last few official goals for Atlético Madrid who, thanks to an additional penalty goal by Diego Costa, successfully defeated Liverpool 4-1 to claim their eight consecutive European title.

"Without a doubt, Real Madrid can say they have Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona can say they have Lionel Messi. In the end, we had William Smith, and judging by our successes and the multiple sextuples, we were the lucky ones and the others couldn't necessarily say the same"

Atlético Madrid captain Koke on Smith's impact at the club

By the time of his departure from the club, having scored 328 goals in 302 appearances, Smith had long officially become the all-time goalscorer for Atlético Madrid, surpassing the previous record of 172 goals by Luis Aragonés, to whom Smith subsequently paid a personal tribute upon breaking the latter's goalscoring record, stating, "As great as I could have been in my five years at the club, there is surely no one better than the one and only Luis Aragonés". In the meantime, his total goal tally also notably makes him La Liga's second-highest all-time goalscorer, becoming the only English or American player to be included in the top ten in a list mostly dominated by Spanish players and led in the top three by Smith, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively. Among club supporters, Smith is popularly known by the nickname of "San Guillermo" ("Saint William") as a tribute to his extraordinary successes with the club similar to how former longtime Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is popularly known as "San Iker" ("Saint Iker") among the club's fans. In addition, some supporters have also nicknamed him "Hijo del Atlético" which translates to "Son of Atlético". Meanwhile, as a gesture of respect, Smith is at times informally addressed as "Generalissimo", an Italian term used to denote a military rank even higher than a field marshal, in line with Smith's well-known militaristic persona.

International Career

United States U-20

The National Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria, which hosted the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship Final between the United States and Japan. The United States later won the match 1-0 via a tiebreaking goal from Smith in the 76th minute

In 1999, two years into his career as a professional footballer for LA Galaxy, Smith, by virtue of his fast-rising popularity and talent, was called up for the under-20 national team, with the national call-up proving vital in exposing Smith to his first-ever international tournament, namely the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria. It was later reported that the callup, at least initially, was opposed by Smith's mother, the actress Jaclyn Smith, who was said to have been personally concerned for her son's wellbeing in such a foreign country at a relatively young age. Ultimately, repeated assurances that the twenty-year-old Smith's well-being would be well taken care of, coupled with Smith's own personal insistence on participating in the tournament, eventually gave way to the national team call-up.

Soon enough, having been grouped with the likes of England, Japan, and Cameroon, Smith quickly made his mark for the national team by scoring a brace in the first group stage match against England although this was then followed by a 1-3 defeat to Japan. However, in what would be a vital match towards securing qualification to the knockout stages, Smith went on to score his first hat-trick for the United States against Cameroon in a 6-0 win. Not long afterward, a late 93rd-minute goal from Smith proved vital in avoiding a narrow 2-3 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 following which the United States proceeded to defeat the Spaniards 4-1 on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals. Then, after scoring two goals to complete a narrow 3-2 victory over hosts Nigeria in the quarter-finals, Smith scored his second hat-trick for the United States to complete a dominant 6-0 win over Mali in the ensuing semi-finals, thereby allowing them to progress to the finals where they faced Japan. In this, after a relatively long period which saw both the United States and Japan unsuccessfully attempt a tiebreaker, at precisely the 76th minute, Smith, shortly proceeded to dribble past several Japanese players before unleashing a powerful long-range shot from just outside of the penalty area to give the United States a vital breakthrough in the closing minutes of the game amidst subsequent unsuccessful attempt by Japan to level the scores. Soon enough, having personally contributed to the United States' first-ever FIFA World Youth Championship title with his tiebreaking goal in the finals, Smith's profile as a relatively unknown soccer player immediately rose to an unprecedented high with some media outlets gradually beginning to tout Smith as a "future World Cup winner" especially so given that just a year prior the United States suffered a humiliating exit in the group stages of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

United States

"As ridiculous as it might sound, he was our star, our captain, our engine, and our everything."

Former head coach Bruce Arena on Smith's time at the USMNT

In the following year, by then a talent-proven soccer player in the Major League Soccer scene, and most recently, the winner of the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, Smith was officially called up for his first-ever international duty as part of the United States national team, with then-manager Bruce Arena hoping to utilise the young and rising soccer star as the national team's primary goalscorer in future competitive matches, especially in light of the upcoming 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea. On 16 January 2000, Smith made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against Iran where following an initial 1-1 deadlock between the two sides Smith proceeded to score two goals throughout the second half, ultimately giving the United States a 3-1 win over their opponents. Then, around a month later, for the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, Smith, who initially did not score in the first two matches against Haiti and Peru respectively, went on to score a hat-trick, his first-ever for the United States' senior team, in the quarter-final match against Colombia, allowing the United States to break the initial 2-2 deadlock and therefore achieve a resounding 5-2 victory. This was soon followed by a heavy 4-0 demolition of Peru in the semi-finals, in which Smith otherwise scored only one goal to add on to the other three goals by his teammates. In the end, a brace from Smith in the final match against Canada, whose initial 1-0 lead was consequently overturned as a result, proved to be the decisive factor that awarded the United States their second CONCACAF Gold Cup title. Then, just a year later, as a regular starter for the United States, Smith famously contributed two consecutive hat-tricks in the knockout stages to demolish both France and Japan 5-0 and 5-1 respectively, allowing the United States to also win their first-ever FIFA Confederations Cup tournament. Soon enough, with only a year left until the upcoming World Cup tournament, Smith was named the United States' new team captain, becoming the youngest-ever American captain in history at just twenty-two. Almost immediately, his public profile rose considerably among the American media with ESPN, noting Smith's physical attractiveness, beginning to refer to him as "America's David Beckham".

The Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, which hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final and which saw the United States achieve a historic 5-0 win over Brazil to lift their first and only World Cup title to date

Following this, in 2002, Smith saw further success by winning a second consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup with the United States with his most notable contributions being a brace in a 6-0 win over El Salvador in the quarter-finals and a hat-trick in the finals that saw the Americans demolish Costa Rica 5-0 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Soon enough, for the 2002 FIFA World Cup's group stage fixtures, Smith was a steady and dominant presence for the United States, scoring twice in a 5-2 win over Portugal and a crucial equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with Korea, thereby allowing the Americans to advance to the knockout stages despite a subsequent 1-3 loss to Poland in the final group stage match. In the ensuing round of 16, Smith provided one additional goal to complete a 3-0 rout of neighbours Mexico before following it up with a crucial hat-trick to complete a remarkable 3-1 comeback win over Germany, thereby allowing them to progress further to the semi-finals for just the second time in almost seventy years where the United States dealt co-hosts Korea a heavy 5-2 defeat to then reach a World Cup final for the first time ever. In this, Smith's individual brilliance, coupled with resolute defending from the American backline in an effective 4-4-2 counter-attacking system set up by head coach Bruce Arena, saw the United States achieve a historic 5-0 victory over a star-studded Brazilian national team consisting of the likes of goalkeeper Marcos, defenders Cafu and Roberto Carlos, midfielders Rivaldo and Kaká, and forwards Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, in what later came to be nicknamed by Brazilians as the "Desastre de Yokohama" (English: "Yokohama Disaster") given the heavy-handed and unexpected nature of their national team's defeat while American supporters otherwise came to refer to it as the "June 30th Miracle", a term that was even echoed by then-manager Bruce Arena who later said during the post-match press conference, "Under normal circumstances, with the players that Brazil had fielded, we definitely didn't stand a chance but this turns out to be not a normal match at all and by all means, we certainly did a miracle here that everyone will remember for generations". Most significantly, this marks the first and only time to date that the United States, as the first and only CONCACAF member state to do so, has ever won a World Cup trophy since they first participated in the tournament in its inaugural 1930 edition where they finished in third place behind Uruguay and Argentina, their highest-ever finish in the tournament prior to their victory in the 2002 edition. In the meantime, his 75th-minute hat-trick saw Smith become just the second player after England's Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final as well as the only American player to do so in what is the country's only appearance to date in a World Cup final.

Later on, despite suddenly announcing that the 2002 FIFA World Cup would be his first and only World Cup tournament with the United States, an announcement that quickly caught many by surprise, Smith continued to remain with the national team for another year to then successfully guide it to a first-place finish at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in which a hat-trick from the former in the finals saw the United States deliver a 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica, who beforehand had recorded an unexpected 3-0 victory over France in the semi-finals, thereby securing a second consecutive win in the FIFA Confederations Cup, with the United States itself becoming the first nation to win the tournament twice in a row, followed by Brazil afterward. In the end, amidst much speculation and expectation that he would retire from the United States national team, Smith announced his much-anticipated departure that would precede a subsequent move to England the following year. Since then, the somewhat abrupt nature of Smith's retirement from the national team, that is at the mere age of twenty-five, coupled with the fact that the national team itself would never go on to win another World Cup or reach the same heights as they previously did, has led many American sports commentators to describe it as a "watershed moment" for the United States national team who had effectively lost their star player right after a major and historic triumph. Evidently, former LA Galaxy and United States teammate Cobi Jones later remarked, "Without a doubt, he (Smith) was one of or if not the best soccer player I've ever played with in my entire life and it was truly a loss to see him go so soon especially when it became clear that we needed him so much later on". Since then, the United States has failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in subsequent editions during which they were twice eliminated in the group stages in 2006 and 2022.

For his success at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Smith, along with other players in the national team, were each awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a lavish state dinner by then-President George W. Bush although Smith himself later chose to personally return the award given to him following the controversial US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, reportedly as a sign of protest against the country's role in the invasion. Nonetheless, he would later be awarded the medal a second time in 2014, this time by then-President Barack Obama, shortly after his final World Cup triumph that year. In that same year, a bronze statue of Smith, known as the "Captain America Statue", was erected in his honour and currently stands in front of the United States Soccer Federation headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Moreover, American supporters and fans are known to have famously nicknamed Smith "Captain America" in recognition of his success with the national team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup coupled with his pre-eminent status in the American soccer scene as perhaps its most talented and most successful player ever with no other American soccer player in history capable of equalising the former in terms of success and recognition, a view shared by former soccer player Cobi Jones who remarked, "The truth is that there were eleven of us that won the World Cup that year but as it would happen only one will be remembered for generations to come by almost everyone around the world". In the meantime, his good looks, coupled with his rise to prominence in the early 2000s, also led some media outlets to nickname him "America's Beckham" in reference to English footballer David Beckham who was known both for his talents and his striking looks.

England

"If I was going to win a World Cup, I want it to be with my own father who will celebrate with me on the stage when it's over and not with some random politician that I probably didn't even vote for."

Smith on his decision to switch his international allegiance from the United States to England

In 2004, just shortly after he had signed for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Smith, who had publicly stated his intention of representing England, was officially declared an England player by FIFA, football's governing body. To that end, on 18 February 2004, amidst widespread enthusiasm and anticipation, Smith made his debut in a friendly match against Portugal that eventually ended in a 1-1 draw with the former unable to score a goal despite registering several attempts on target. However, around a month later, on March 31st, Smith scored his first few goals for England in a 2-1 win over Sweden who initially led their opponents by 1-0 via Zlatan Ibrahimović until a brace from Smith overturned the result in England's favour. Then, following a three-month-long break, Smith soon returned to England to compete in the UEFA Euro 2004, his first European tournament, in which he first scored a brace in the match against France in the group stages before following it up with two consecutive hat-tricks against Switzerland and Croatia respectively. Once more, in the round of 16 fixture against Portugal, Smith's late 116th-minute goal, which came around just a minute after an earlier goal by Frank Lampard, proved vital in breaking the 2-2 deadlock, thereby avoiding an ensuing penalty shootout while allowing England to progress to the quarter-finals to meet the Netherlands where they ultimately lost 2-3. However, despite this setback, when later asked by a BBC journalist over his immediate feelings, Smith famously replied, "It's alright, I'm just getting started", sparking much attention from the media who immediately noted his high levels of optimism in spite of his country's defeat.

The Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, where England defeated Italy 5-2 to win their first World Cup title in forty years

Despite the Euros setback, in anticipation of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Smith, by now a guaranteed regular starter under manager Sven-Göran Eriksson who had also appointed him as the new England captain, quickly proved his worth via a series of goals scored in the qualifying campaign for the upcoming World Cup tournament where almost all of their opponents, save for Northern Ireland, to whom England narrowly lost 0-1, were defeated each time by comfortable margins. Similarly, in the following group stage matches on June 2006, England, grouped alongside Paraguay, West Indies, and Sweden, easily managed their qualification to the knockout stages with victories against both Paraguay and West Indies while a fixture with Sweden ended in a 2-2 draw in which Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard provided the two England goals. Then, in the following round of 16, England comfortably managed a resounding 4-0 victory over Ecuador, with Smith himself providing his first hat-trick for the national team in the match. However, a 0-0 draw with Portugal in the following quarter-final match almost saw England's journey at the tournament cut short before a remarkable performance by goalkeeper Paul Robinson during the subsequent penalty shootouts saw England progress to the semi-finals with a final 4-2 win over their opponents. Following this, Smith went on to provide two decisive goals in the semi-final match against France before later adding two goals of his own to complete a 5-2 rout of Italy in the finals, thereby securing England their first World Cup title in decades while also ending a forty-year-long trophy drought since their first World Cup triumph in 1966. Moreover, Smith also personally gained fame for being the first player to win a World Cup for two different countries as well as the second to win two consecutive World Cup trophies after former Brazilian footballer Pelé.

The Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria, where England defeated Germany 4-2 to win their first-ever European title in just two years after their first World Cup title in forty years

In 2008, just two years after their historic World Cup triumph, England, now led by none other than Smith himself as captain and Sven-Göran Eriksson as manager, saw further success in the UEFA Euro 2008 where after being initially grouped alongside the likes of Spain, Sweden, and Greece, England, thanks to a resouding 5-3 victory over Spain, a similarly huge 4-1 victory over Greece, and a narrow 1-0 win over Sweden, easily progressed to the following knockout stage, where in the following quarter-final match, thanks to a hat-trick by Smith, England comfortably defeated their Dutch opponents 5-3 to meet Spain once more in the semi-finals who they then defeated 5-2 with Smith himself contributing a vital hat-trick to break the 2-2 deadlock. Eventually, in the final match, Germany, despite initially leading by 2-0 through goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Christoph Metzelder, were ultimately defeated by a dramatic comeback from England in the second half in which Smith's hat-trick, along with an additional goal by midfielder James Milner allowed England to overcome their two-goal deficit and ultimately win the tournament outright 4-2, and therefore, the country's first-ever Euros title, a milestone that was then popularly compared to England's inaugural World Cup glory where they defeated West Germany 4-2 to win their first World Cup title. The following year, as team captain, Smith guided England to a second-place finish at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa where following a 6-4 victory over Germany in the semi-finals, a 1-3 defeat to Brazil in the finals forced England to settle for a second-place finish instead.

England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard whose infamous "ghost goal" in the round of 16 against Germany was erroneously denied by the referee amidst claims pointing to the contrary. England later went on to win the match 7-6 on penalties following a 4-4 draw courtesy of a hat-trick from Smith

Two years later, coming off their recent World Cup and UEFA European Championship triumphs, and despite some challenge in the group stages against the likes of the United States, Algeria, and Slovenia, England proved quick to secure qualification to the knockout stages, winning against all except the United States where the two sides drew 1-1 in what was a reunion between Smith and former compatriot Landon Donovan but on opposite teams. In the following round of 16 fixture against Germany, which notably saw Frank Lampard's infamous "ghost goal" controversially disallowed by the referee, Smith established himself as one of the tournament's most memorable players when he later scored a decisive hat-trick in the 87th minute that effectively nullified the initial 4-1 lead the Germans had previously enjoyed to then bring the match to a penalty shootout which England ultimately won 7-6 in what was later popularly referred to as the "Bloemfontein Miracle" in reference to the city that the match had taken place. A subsequent brace from Smith soon added to a resounding 4-0 victory that knocked out Argentina in the quarter-finals which he then followed up on with a crucial assist in the semi-finals where England defeated Spain 2-0 to advance to the finals for the second consecutive time where Smith went on to score yet another brace to mark England's dominant 5-0 win over the Netherlands. Consequently, along with Brazil and Italy, England became just one of three nations to have ever won two World Cups in a row. Meanwhile, in the following year, Smith also captained England to a third-place finish at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, where a narrow 1-2 loss to Mexico in the semi-finals saw England successfully rebound to then deal Uruguay a heavy 4-0 defeat in the third-place playoffs, thereby securing a third-place finish in the tournament.

The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which saw England defeat Argentina 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in what was famously called the "Falklands derby" in reference to the Falklands War conflict between the two countries that lasted from 1982 to 1984

Following their success in the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, England, which Smith would come to captain for one final time, further qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. For the tournament, England found itself grouped with the likes of Italy, Uruguay, and Costa Rica. Subsequently, despite a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, victories against Italy and Uruguay saw them progress easily to the knockout stages with their first opponent being Colombia in the round of 16 who they dramatically defeated 7-6 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Following this, England then faced hosts Brazil in the quarter-finals where they proceeded to deal a crushing 5-1 victory with Smith's 88th-minute hat-trick in the match quickly evoking comparisons with his infamous hat-trick against the South American country just a decade earlier at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. For the ensuing semi-finals fixture against Germany, the two sides initially found themselves tied 1-1 after an early Wayne Rooney goal was then equalised by a second-half goal from Miroslav Klose afterward until a 65th-minute goal from Smith proved to be the essential tiebreaker, thereby allowing them to progress to the finals for a third consecutive time to face Argentina where following a 53rd-minute goal from Smith and a 79th-minute counter-goal from Enzo Pérez the two sides subsequently faced one another in a penalty shootout that England ultimately won it 4-2 to secure a record-breaking third consecutive World Cup title in what was almost an exact mirror of Argentina's 4-3 win over England on penalties in the 1998 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for which their third title triumph was considered by fans to be the perfect revenge against their infamous rivals. Nonetheless, shortly after the tournament concluded, Smith announced his retirement from international football while also clarifying that although he would continue to play at the club level for a few more years he would otherwise not seek to participate in the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 with the World Cup that year itself being his last ever for England and which he had personally intended to be his "last hurrah". In his absence, England were later defeated 1-2 by hosts France in the quarter-finals after having previously annihilated Iceland 4-0 in the round of 16, thereby resulting in the resignation of longtime head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson shortly afterward following an almost fifteen-years-long tenure, the longest and also the most successful of any England managers since the late Sir Alf Ramsey. Regardless, his unprecedented success with the national team cemented the Swedish-born manager as England's most successful manager to date with supporters affectionately referring to him as "King Eric", a nickname that was previously attributed to former Manchester United player Eric Cantona. Likewise, in 2014, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter ranked Eriksson the second-greatest Swedish sportsperson in history behind tennis player Björn Borg in first and ahead of footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic in third.

With a total of 68 goals scored during his time with the United States in 64 appearances, Smith is the country's all-time goalscorer. Meanwhile, his 160 goals also make him England's all-time goalscorer as well as its sixth-most-capped player with 124 appearances. In this, he once held the special distinction of being the all-time goalscorer for two football confederations, namely UEFA with England and CONCACAF with the United States until Stern John, who represented the West Indies, surpassed him in the latter with 70 goals to become CONCACAF's all-time goalscorer. Regardless, Smith is still the all-time goalscorer for UEFA with 160 goals scored.

Great Britain national football team

Former English player and manager Stuart Pearce, who managed the Great Britain's football team at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Following the United Kingdom's successful bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, which would take place in the capital city of London, in the months leading up to the event, Smith, owing to his largely successful track record with England, was quickly touted as a likely candidate for selection to the Great Britain men's Olympic football team. However, on December 2011, in light of the impending UEFA Euro 2012 tournament that same year, it was announced by The Football Association that none of the players chosen for the England squad for the tournament would be chosen for Great Britain as well in order to reduce potential player fatigue caused by the relatively short twenty-day gap between the end of the Euro 2012 tournament and the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Consequently, the potential omission of Smith from the final Great Britain lineup proved to be a source of great controversy with pundit Gary Lineker bemoaning the "missed opportunity for Britain to display perhaps their greatest footballer ever not just at the World Cup but also at the Olympics, an international event that is of much similar prestige and visibility". Despite this, some otherwise defended the decision to omit Smith from the Olympics, citing the obvious issue of player fatigue and fixture congestion, with then-Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt stating, "As delightful it would have been for Mr. Smith to represent Great Britain at the Olympics, we cannot absolutely forget that he also has his own duties for England in the World Cup and Euros, ones that are perhaps more important by comparison". However, Stuart Pearce, the head coach appointed to manage Great Britain at the ensuing Olympics, said that Smith's inclusion, in spite of the risks and worries, "remains a possibility", adding, "Clearly, even getting a player onboard, especially one like Smith, is not an easy task with many factors at hand to consider. Ultimately, the final decision will be made after a few rounds of quick and productive talks that will help clarify the situation and put it to rest for good".

Eventually, during a February 2012 interview with Sky Sports, Smith revealed that he had been officially chosen for and is expected to captain the Great Britain national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, stating, "Without a doubt, there's the real issue of player fatigue and all that but for me, I have yet to personally experience that fatigue myself, meaning that even if it takes place just twenty days after another major tournament, I'll be ready to show the world a familiar face and the style of football that everyone has come to know and love me for". On 26 July 2012, Smith soon made his debut for Great Britain in a group stage match against Senegal at Old Trafford which ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw following a late 82nd-minute equaliser by Moussa Konaté. Nonetheless, in the following group stage match against the United Arab Emirates at Wembley Stadium, Smith went on to score his first and only hat-trick for Great Britain to seal a commanding 6-1 victory over the Emiratis before proceeding to score a brace in the third and final group stage fixture against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium which saw the match end in a 3-0 win for Great Britain. Then, in the ensuing quarter-final match against Korea, Smith scored a decisive 46th-minute tiebreaking goal shortly into the second half, allowing Great Britain to reach the semi-finals via a narrow 2-1 win in which Smith, together with Neil Taylor and Ryan Bertrand, helped deliver a crushing 5-0 win over Brazil, thus qualifying them further to the finals where they proceeded to defeat Mexico 2-0 to win the tournament outright with Smith personally adding a 40th-minute goal onto a previous 32nd-minute goal by teammate Aaron Ramsey to deliver Great Britain's 2-0 victory in the finals.

In the end, with a total of nine goals scored, Smith finished as the tournament's top scorer while his performance, described by the BBC as "classy and brilliant as always", was mostly met with a positive reception by many with Gary Lineker jokingly calling Smith "Great Britain's ultimate cheat code at the Olympics" while The Guardian hailed him as the 2012 Summer Olympics' "grand performer". Meanwhile, on his part, Smith remarked, "Some will say I should've done it and some will say I shouldn't have done it but at the end of the day I gave the fans what they wanted and frankly speaking I feel great!".

Post-Retirement

Ultra Ballon d'Or

On 11 May 2019, in honour of his 40th birthday, France Football, in recognition of his "outstanding and one-of-a-kind achievement in football", exclusively awarded Smith the Ultra Ballon d'Or, a one-off prize considered to be more prestigious than the standard Ballon d'Or (of which he currently has eleven in total) and even the equally rare Super Ballon d'Or awarded to Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano who was notably crucial in establishing the club's dominance both domestically and abroad throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Featuring a gold-laden ball on top of a gold-laden vase with four outstretched "arms" covering the ball and which symbolically represents Smith's four record-breaking World Cup trophies, the award has since been in his private possession along with his other footballing honours, reportedly in a locked room inside Buckingham Palace for which an exclusive key possessed only by Smith himself is needed to enter.

Around September 2021, several media outlets reported that Smith had personally acquired the prestigious Super Ballon d'Or formerly belonging to Alfredo Di Stefano whose children opted to sell the late Argentine footballer's memorabilia with the Super Ballon d'Or, among other things, ended up being bought by an anonymous buyer during an auction event. In response, while neither confirming nor denying his rumoured ownership of the award, Smith remarked, "Wherever it is now, I dare say that an award of such incomparable prestige and status is currently in the hands of someone who deserves it the most among many others". On the other hand, one of Di Stefano's children, in an interview with Marca, appeared to subtly suggest that Smith is indeed in possession of the award, stating, "Of course, out of principle, I won't say who actually bought it but the person who did was very special and who, by all means, really deserves to own it now".

Football Honours

In the aftermath of his retirement from football, The Football Association announced that the FA Community Shield, beginning from the 2020 edition, would instead feature Smith's own name on the trophy similar to that of the Johan Cruyff Shield in the Netherlands. To that end, the first edition since the rebranding was contested between Arsenal and Liverpool with the former ultimately winning it 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, on 30 August 2020, in commemorating the tenth anniversary of his first match for Atlético Madrid, the club further named him "Life President" with club president Enrique Cerezo stating, "For much of its existence, none other than William Smith have proven to be an unquestionably consequential and important player in delivering some of the club's greatest successes for which it is only right that he should be honoured with an extremely rare appointment of the kind". The occasion, held remotely via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions, saw the attendance of the club's president and chief executive officer Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Ángel Gil Marín as well as current and several former Atlético Madrid players with Smith himself being the event's guest of honour.

In 2021, along with longtime rival Thierry Henry and the Premier League's all-time goalscorer Alan Shearer, Smith was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, with The Football Association chairman Peter McCormick lauding Smith as the "greatest player in Premier League history with an incomparable goalscoring prowess and an unmatched all-around talent". Similarly, La Liga president Javier Tebas hailed Smith as a "revolutionary player who effectively changed the landscape of La Liga" while United States Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone described Smith as "the greatest player to have ever come from Major League Soccer", adding, "Undoubtedly, all Major League Soccer players, new or old, will be holding themselves to the highest standard in none other than William Smith himself". In this, owing to his American background, ESPN once wrote, "In the United States, where basketball and American football each has its icons in Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, soccer has William Smith as its very own face and icon".

The FA Presidency

In his capacity as The Football Association president, Smith is known to be a somewhat vocal figure on several issues including equal pay and player fatigue, having occasionally proposed several measures and initiatives meant to address both issues respectively. In this regard, Smith has also come to be known for his somewhat confrontational approach with the international governing body of FIFA, who he has at times vocally criticised, especially those relating to the controversial hosting rights awarded to Russia and Qatar for the World Cup as well as the organisation's decision to expand the size of major international tournaments including the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup which he argued was placing more physical strain on players, especially those who have already played a considerable number of matches at club level. During a 2023 interview with Sky Sports, Smith remarked, "The clear and unmistakable problem with these bloated and glorified expansions is that to some extent these decisions felt like it was about making more money for the executives at the top than it is to rather meaningfully better the game of football itself which is undoubtedly upheld by the tens of players around the world who will now surely be looking at playing a much larger number of physically demanding games or being temporarily excluded from some of the games so as to prevent them from essentially getting hurt from doing too much work than what the human body can take".

In recent years, Smith has also been a vocal figure against what he deemed to be the "oilification" of the Premier League, pointing to the state ownership of football clubs Manchester City and Newcastle United by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia respectively in which both countries are similarly authoritarian states in the Middle East. In addition, Smith has also spoken against the trend of famous European football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, N'Golo Kanté, Karim Benzema, and Neymar to the Saudi Pro League. Describing the trend as "Chinese Super League 2.0", Smith remarked, "Not too long ago, we saw a particular country trying to jump-start their footballing industry by bringing in big European names often with huge salaries and whatnot. Now, it's clear that such a trend has emerged once again, and unless a sudden miracle arises, it's safe to say that this one will perhaps meet the same impending demise as its predecessor had". Meanwhile, beginning from around late 2023, amidst reports of players including Jordan Henderson and Karim Benzema looking to leave the Saudi Pro League, Smith slyly remarked, "Quite a surprise that after just a year or so, some of these very generous and charitable football stars are looking to leave already. Logically speaking, how are they going to help grow the very terrific Saudi football within just a year or so? As everyone knows, Rome was not built in a day". Subsequently, after spending several months in Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson did indeed return to Europe, namely in the form of a transfer to the Eredivisie club Ajax.

Political & Social Causes

Ivan Toney, who currently plays as a forward for Premier League club Brentford. From May 2023 to January 2024, he was officially banned from football for a series of betting offenses

A vocal environmentalist, Smith has been an advocate of a "green market economy", supporting "eco-friendly" alternatives such as nuclear energy as well as electronic vehicles (EVs), the latter for which he has also advocated for mass commercialisation so as to lessen its traditionally expensive and luxurious status and therefore make it generally affordable for many, stating, "Just as how there are luxurious cars as well as the standard affordable ones running on gasoline, electric cars should also be the same way and not a strictly luxurious commodity for the ultra-rich but rather for all who will stand to benefit much in the future from acquiring it". In the meantime, Smith has also vocally expressed support for "cheap but effective" public transport as well as being in favour of nuclear energy, stating in a 2019 interview, "By pure logic, it is a bit weird that the United Kingdom, one of the world's major nuclear powers, is not seemingly exploiting its status for non-military purposes. After all, nuclear energy is obviously not just for bombing cities but to also power them more effectively than traditional energy sources". Since 2014, Smith has been a registered party member of the Liberal Democrats and has also actively supported the ultimately successful Remain campaign in favour of the United Kingdom remaining within the European Union. Regardless, in spite of his party affiliation, Smith is said to be "close friends" with former Conservative prime minister David Cameron whom he once referred to as "a close friend of mine named David but not the one who plays football".

Around May 2023, in response to a temporary ban imposed on English footballer and Brentford forward Ivan Toney by authorities on several counts of rule-breaking betting, Smith has vocally advocated for a "complete purge" of gambling-related entities from football, particularly Sky Bet which has been the main sponsor for the EFL Championship, stating, "Admittedly, the Championship might not be as prestigious as the Premier League but that's not exactly and should not be the sole reason as to why a different company not related to gambling at all should not be chosen as the new sponsor". Pointing to the sponsorship of the Ligue 2 and Serie B leagues by Indian tyre company Balkrishna Industries, Smith has at times called for a "British non-gambling alternative" to be considered as the new sponsor and successor to Sky Bet. Later, Smith would again call for the "complete eradication of the disease of gambling from football" after Italian footballer Sandro Tonali, who plays as a midfielder for Newcastle United, was also banned from footballing activities over gambling offences.

Managerial Career

Tottenham Hotspur

The Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, where Tottenham Hotspur won its first-ever UEFA Champions League title following a 2-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in a match played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic

A self-professed "champion of the underdogs", following his retirement, Smith had initially voiced interest in coaching perceived "underdog" clubs such as the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Soon enough, the firing of Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino amidst a poor start to the 2019-20 season on November 19th provided the much-awaited opportunity with Smith himself being quick to apply for the now vacant position of club manager which he was subsequently granted the following day by club chairman Daniel Levy with the promise of establishing a "beautiful and deadly attacking style of play" and "achieving the impossible". Following this, Smith's first match in charge came to be an away fixture against West Ham United on November 23rd that ended in a 3-2 win for Tottenham Hotspur which was then followed just a week later with a similar 3-2 win over Bournemouth and a 2-1 win on December 4th at Old Trafford with Smith emerging triumphant against his former club Manchester United. Then, after a dominant 5-0 win over Burnley on December 7th, Smith also secured a victory against another major club in Chelsea, who the club defeated 1-0 via a 37th-minute goal from Christian Eriksen. Following this, wins against Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich City, the latter particularly falling to a Harry Kane hat-trick, saw him manage to make it eight matches unbeaten by the end of the year in stark contrast to the club's otherwise poor start to the season beforehand. Then, following an unexpected 0-0 draw against Southampton on January 1st, Smith was dealt his first defeat just ten days later in a 0-1 loss to Liverpool although this was promptly compensated for with a dramatic 2-1 win over Watford in which a 94th-minute goal from Christian Eriksen in extra time saw Spurs successfully come back from defeat after a Harry Kane equaliser. Following this, a sixteen-match unbeaten streak which included a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on February 22nd, coupled with dominant 3-0 wins over Manchester United and Leicester City and a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in the final day saw Tottenham Hotspur achieve a remarkable second-place finish with 87 points ahead of Manchester City in third and behind Liverpool in first.

Meanwhile, a 1-4 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup and a narrow 2-3 defeat on aggregate to Manchester City in the EFL Cup saw Smith unable to win either domestic cup in his maiden season with the club. Regardless, after beginning his first European campaign as head coach with a narrow 3-2 win over RB Leipzig, Smith then faced his former mentor Diego Simeone whom he went on to defeat 3-2 in extra time before proceeding to remarkably defeat a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain via a lone goal from Son Heung-min and eventually reaching their first UEFA Champions League final where a late Tanguy Ndombele goal in extra time saw Tottenham Hotspur win their first-ever European title via a dramatic 2-1 win over Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich who previously equalised via Ivan Perišić after Harry Kane scored first to give his club the lead. Consequently, while Smith became the joint youngest manager with José Mourinho to win the UEFA Champions League, he was also responsible for or was on the same team with the only two Asian players to have won Europe's most prestigious football tournament, Park Ji-sung, his former Manchester United teammate, and now Son Heung-min, one of the players under his management at Tottenham Hotspur. Regardless, the club went on to defeat UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla 3-1 in the UEFA Super Cup and Mexican side Tigres 3-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup, thereby resulting in Smith, who initially assumed the position on an interim basis until the end of the season, to eventually formalise a four-year contract with the club as head coach after a surprisingly remarkable start that saw Tottenham Hotspur win their first silverware in decades and also their first European title.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane in action during a 3-0 win over Manchester United where he scored twice through penalties

In the following 2020-21 season, Smith started rather promisingly with a dominant 4-1 win over Everton, which he soon followed up on with an equally dominant 5-2 win over Southampton. Then, despite a 0-1 loss to Newcastle United, Smith proved quick to steer the club back onto a dominant winning streak, defeating among others his former club Manchester United 6-1, Manchester City 2-0, and Chelsea 3-0 while otherwise drawing 0-0 with defending champions Liverpool. Regardless, on December 20th, the club was met with a shock 1-4 defeat to Leicester City that ended a thirteen-match unbeaten streak although this was promptly made up for with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers just a week later that preceded a subsequent 3-0 win over Leeds United and a following 1-0 win over Fulham. In the meantime, the club also drew once again with Liverpool while also defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 and losing to Chelsea 1-2. Meanwhile, a shock 3-1 win over Manchester City would precede a 1-1 draw against West Ham United, bringing much-renewed hope as Spurs then marked a dominant 4-0 victory over Burnley along with a 2-1 win over Arsenal and most notably a 3-0 win over Manchester United which saw two penalties awarded to Tottenham Hotspur and defender Harry Maguire being sent off in the 76th minute. In the end, amidst a 0-1 loss to Aston Villa on the penultimate day which preceded an otherwise triumphant 4-2 win over Leicester City, the club notched a record-high of 91 points to become Premier League champions for the first time in history, a feat that Smith himself described as "inevitable" owing to the club's second-place finish the season before. In the meantime, a narrow 2-3 loss to Chelsea saw Smith once again unable to win the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur. A similar fate also befell them in the EFL Cup finals where a 1-2 loss to Manchester City once again barred the club from winning either domestic cups. Nonetheless, a dramatic 7-6 win on aggregate against La Liga giants Real Madrid, followed by a firm 4-1 win over Manchester City in which a brace from Harry Kane which complemented Gareth Bale goal and an Aymeric Laporte own-goal saw Tottenham Hotspur mark an unprecedented back-to-back UEFA Champions League glory while also being just one domestic cup short of achieving an equally historic domestic treble. With this, the club then faced UEFA Europa League winners Arsenal in the UEFA Super Cup, defeating them 5-3 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, followed by a 1-0 win over Brazilian side Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup and a 0-1 loss to Leicester City in the William Smith Shield.

In the ensuing 2021-22 season, despite an initial loss to Leicester City in the William Smith Shield, traditionally considered to be the new season's curtain-raiser, Smith's Tottenham Hotspur otherwise made a rather promising start, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the opening match and Crystal Palace 3-2. However, on September 19th, Smith's club was dealt with a heavy 1-4 defeat to Chelsea, by a 1-1 draw with Arsenal and a 2-1 win over Aston Villa and a 3-1 win over West Ham United in which Harry Kane scored all three penalties to mark a hat-trick in the process. In the meantime, the club also snatched a narrow 2-1 win over Smith's former club Manchester United despite the return of club legend and Smith's former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford along with a 3-0 win over Norwich City. However, Tottenham Hotspur were then met with a 0-2 defeat to Liverpool which instead preceded a 3-0 comeback win over Crystal Palace and an ensuing 4-0 win over Southampton. Further down the road, in addition to a dominant 5-0 win over Burnley, the club also defeated the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United 3-2 and 3-1 respectively to make it twelve matches unbeaten which they only extended via dominant 5-1 and 4-0 wins over Newcastle United and Aston Villa to then make it sixteen unbeaten before a 0-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion brought an end to the streak. Nonetheless, over the last few days remaining, Spurs promptly rebounded with a 2-1 win over Brentford, a 3-1 win over Leicester City, and a 3-0 win over Arsenal before eventually concluding the season with a dominant 5-0 win over Norwich City at which point the club once again emerged Premier League champions with a record 99 points. Meanwhile, despite a loss to Chelsea that effectively cut short their FA Cup ambitions, Smith's Tottenham Hotspur promptly avenged their defeat at the hands of The Blues to then defeat Liverpool 1-0 to win the EFL Cup for the first time since the 1998-99 season, almost twenty-four years before. In the meantime, Smith himself came close to achieving a third consecutive UEFA Champions League title for Tottenham Hotspur, defeating the likes of Inter Milan, Benfica, and Villareal before a 0-1 loss to Real Madrid in the finals saw them settle for second place. Following this, as Premier League champions, Spurs subsequently contested the William Smith Shield with FA Cup winners Liverpool to whom they narrowly lost 2-3.

On 6th August 2022, Smith started his final season as Tottenham Hotspur manager rather promisingly, grabbing a 4-0 win over Southampton on the opening day. Then, a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on the second day, followed by several further victories along the way including a dominant 6-1 win over West Ham United, saw Smith make it seven matches unbeaten straight while major victories afterward over both Arsenal and former club Manchester United extended it further to eleven matches unbeaten with a 1-3 loss to Newcastle United on October 23rd bringing an end to the streak. Then, on January 1st 2023, Smith began the new year with a dominant 4-0 win over Aston Villa which he quickly followed up on just three days later with an equally dominant 4-0 win over Crystal Palace although the new years' momentum was quickly cut short by subsequent defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal respectively. Then, amidst a 0-0 draw against Leicester City and a 2-3 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest and a 4-2 win over Everton saw the club under Smith rediscover their winning ways by the last few months during which they recorded a dominant 4-0 win over Bournemouth and a 3-0 win over Newcastle United although this was then followed by a 1-3 loss to Manchester United and a 0-1 loss to Liverpool respectively. Nonetheless, a draw against Aston Villa and a 3-0 win over Brentford in the closing days ensured that Tottenham Hotspur would finish the season with no further defeats as a 4-1 win over Leeds United on the final day ensured a third-place finish with just one point behind runners-up Manchester City while Arsenal secured their first league title in almost two decades. Meanwhile, after previous unsuccessful attempts, a dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium saw Smith finally win the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur with the title itself being their first in almost three decades since they last won it in the 1990-91 season. Otherwise, despite recording a shock 3-1 win on aggregate over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, a lone goal from Naby Keïta resulted in Tottenham Hotspur's elimination from the UEFA Champions League although Smith's half-brother Prince Richard later scored a hat-trick to defeat Liverpool in the finals and deliver Arsenal's first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. In any case, as was intended, Smith later announced the end of his time as head coach with Tottenham Hotspur, stating, "After several undeniably eventful and challenging years with a remarkable football club like Tottenham Hotspur, it is only right that I should reward myself with some well-deserved rest after all was said and done".

"Even if it's just for four years long, I undoubtedly won and did things that others before me couldn't, and by all means, it was certainly a hundred times better than spending twenty years and winning nothing in the process."

Smith on his time with Tottenham Hotspur

In the aftermath of his retirement, the ensuing pre-season matches were overseen by former player Ryan Mason who took over as interim coach until the club subsequently appointed former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou in time for the later 2023-24 season. Prior to his appointment, Postecoglou had also previously managed the Australia men's national team from 2013 to 2017 as well as A-League sides Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar and J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos. Meanwhile, as the most decorated and successful Tottenham Hotspur manager of recent times, supporters of the club initially launched a proposal to have the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium renamed after Smith himself, citing the decision of Atlético Madrid to name their new stadium after Smith and head coach Diego Simeone. However, the proposal itself was never fully implemented with an eventual compromise instead having the stadium's "North Stand" renamed to "Sir William Smith Stand" in his honour while a bronze statue depicting the likeness of him and former star player Harry Kane, who subsequently transferred to Bayern Munich, was erected in front of the stadium's entrance. Meanwhile, on 19 August 2023, for the opening to Tottenham Hotspur's first home match since Smith's departure, a commemorative montage was played prior to kick-off which depicted the club's notable victories under his past tenure along with several of his memorable public moments before later concluding with the phrase "Thank You For Everything, Boss". Ironically, the club then defeated Manchester United, Smith's former club, 2-0 to secure their first win of the season.

Personal Life

Although he was the firstborn child of King Thomas, Smith is ultimately ineligible to later succeed his father to the throne given the fact that he had been born out of wedlock and that his parents, despite an almost two-decade-long relationship, were never officially married, thereby preventing him from being included in the line of succession to the throne. Despite this, Smith himself has expressed some gratefulness for his current circumstances, stating that the fact that he would never likely succeed to the throne in the near future due to his ineligibility meant that he was free to pursue a career of his own for as long as he wanted while also not being burdened by the thoughts of his future duties as monarch. Nonetheless, Smith shares the same birthday as his half-sister Queen Alexandra who was born exactly seventeen years after himself. At the same time, Smith is also exactly thirteen years older than Dutch-born goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with whom he played together at Atlético Madrid for three seasons long. In the meantime, by virtue of his birth year, Smith is also roughly the same age as fellow English footballer Michael Owen, singers Pink and Ne-Yo, as well as actresses Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kate Hudson, Claire Danes, and actors Chris Pratt, Heath Ledger, and John Krasinski.

Owing to his global popularity as a football icon, Smith has been extensively portrayed or depicted in various forms of media, with his likeness being used in the widely popular FIFA football video game series in which Smith is one of the most highly-rated players in the game. In the meantime, Smith has made a number of cameo appearances as himself on the Apple TV+ sports comedy series Ted Lasso alongside other footballing figures such as Thierry Henry, Gary Lineker, Ian Wright, and Pep Guardiola. Moreover, Smith has also appeared in various sports documentaries including The June 30th Miracle: Ten Years On, The Fables of the Fabulous Four, Eriksson: The Unlikely Legend, Rise of The Lionesses, All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur, and The Spursy Fantasy. Meanwhile, Smith also appeared alongside other famous footballers in the music video for the 2010 single Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Colombian singer Shakira for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa which England ultimately won. Meanwhile, as one of the most well-known and marketable athletes of his generation, Smith has been a partner in a huge number of lucrative sponsorships including Adidas, Armani, Under Armour, Coca-Cola, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton, all of which, combined with his high wage payments and other financial bonuses, make him one of the richest athletes in the world with an estimated net worth of $2.09 billion, the highest for a professional footballer and which makes him one of the few billionaire athletes in the world alongside Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. In the context of professional football, Smith is often compared to fellow ex-English footballer David Beckham, both of whom are similarly known for their talents in football as well as for their public image and marketability coupled with their marriages to their equally famous wives in actress Anne Hathaway and singer Victoria Beckham. In this, given that their first names coincidentally mirror that of English poet William Shakespeare and wife Anne Hathaway, the two are popularly dubbed "Will and Anne" by the media who also nicknamed them "the 21st-century's Shakespearean couple".

A polyglot, Smith is known to be fluent in several languages including his native English, German, Spanish, and Hebrew, with Spanish being his preferred language of choice during his time at Atlético Madrid. In this, during his early years, Smith initially possessed a standard Californian accent due to his more American upbringing before later switching to a more British-sounding accent after his move to the United Kingdom so as to better fit in with his England teammates. Similarly, his younger sister Jacqueline, who later found work at the British Broadcasting Corporation, also adopted a more British-sounding accent, having once said, "In its entire history, when has a BBC presenter ever spoke and didn't sound British at all? It would surely be very awkward if otherwise and I'll prefer to avoid that by any means necessary". Nonetheless, Smith himself is known for being able to easily switch between his two main accents which he usually does whenever he is in either country and therefore needed to sound "local".

An automobile enthusiast, Smith reportedly owns a modest collection of high-end and luxury vehicles. In this, Smith was said to have owned his first vehicle in the form of a BMW M3 which he often drove while living in the United States. However, since his move to the United Kingdom, Smith came to acquire a number of other vehicles including an Aston Martin DB9 (his primary vehicle), a McLaren 570S, a Mercedes-Benz CLS, and a Range Rover Sport. Meanwhile, aside from his main residence in London, Smith also owns a number of properties in other places, namely the US city of Los Angeles, California, the Spanish city of Madrid, and the English city of Manchester, all three of which are primarily work-related. However, for non-work reasons, although mostly undisclosed, Smith also reportedly owns a property in the southern English city of Brighton and Hove where its coastal nature, coupled with its vibrant and free-spirited nature, greatly captivated Smith who, at times, would reportedly make trips to the coastal English city for periods of rest.

Owing to a similar first name and surname, Smith is occasionally mistaken for another famous individual of an almost similar name, namely the American actor Will Smith. However, aside from their skin colours, the two do differ in certain respects, namely their full names, year of birth, and profession, while otherwise sharing some certain similarities including the two both being born American, albeit in the different states of California and Pennsylvania respectively, and are both married to an actress, namely Anne Hathaway and Jada Pinkett Smith. To that end, on his part, Smith himself has acknowledged the comparisons, which he later described in a 2019 interview as "something funny to think about every now and then" while also affirming that the similarities in their names were purely accidental and that his father did not actually named him after the actor, especially given that the latter was only nine years old when Smith himself was born and was therefore yet to acquire his modern-day prominence.

Relationships

Owing to a combination of his good looks and his global appeal as a highly-talented professional footballer, prior to his marriage to the American actress Anne Hathaway, Smith was, at times, linked by tabloids to a number of famous female celebrities of his time including the likes of singers Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson, actresses Emily Blunt, Kate Winslet, and Keira Knightley, as well as fashion models Miranda Kerr and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

However, despite the various links, Smith has only ever acknowledged two official relationships prior to his marriage. In this, his first serious relationship was with the American actress Cameron Diaz, whom he met while accompanying his mother to the premier of the 2003 action film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle which both Diaz and Jaclyn Smith, the former's own mother, appeared in. However, amidst issues of uncertainty and incompatibility, the couple ultimately called off their relationship within a few months or so although they have since remained on fairly good terms. On her part, Diaz later married the American musician Benji Madden whose twin brother Joel Madden is otherwise married to the American television personality Nicole Richie.

Following the end of his relationship with Diaz, for a period of roughly four years, Smith dated the Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen. In this, the couple's romance was said to have begun from a chance meeting between the two at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final in Japan where Bündchen, impressed by Smith's memorable hat-trick in a 5-0 win for the United States over her native Brazil, soon took an interest in the latter, thereby leading to a subsequent relationship after Bündchen then ended a previous relationship with the American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Due to the couple's high-profile status, the relationship was a largely secretive and close-knit affair with knowledge of it being exclusively restricted to their closest friends and family members. Nonetheless, by around 2007, apparent signs of strain in their relationship led the couple to ultimately terminate their secretive romance, with Bündchen later marrying the American football quarterback Tom Brady in 2009 although the couple subsequently ended up divorcing in 2022.

Style of Play

"Almost immediately, with the way he played and the way he conducted himself both on and off the pitch, I knew that he was destined for something remarkable and that right in front of my eyes stood someone special and entirely different from the other players around him."

Former head coach Octavio Zambrano on Smith's early years at LA Galaxy

Considered to be one of the greatest and most complete strikers of all time, Smith is known for several qualities that defined his reputation which includes an exceptional pace, high work-rate, remarkable dribbling skills, an unmatched goalscoring prowess, as well as excellent overall vision and creativity, with former Manchester United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson describing Smith as "the most complete of all the strikers I've had", adding, "From what I've seen, some strikers can only do a certain set of things while others can do their own set of things only and there's Smith who can essentially do almost everything a striker needs to in one go". In addition, with a height of 1.80 metres, his relatively tall stature also allowed Smith to occasionally function as a "target man" with a knack for scoring close-range headers and in spite of his physical attributes Smith nonetheless proved to be a quick and agile striker able to both outrun his opponents and place himself in ideal positions. Moreover, Smith is also widely regarded for his excellent first touches and perfect composure, both of which made him a press-resistant player who rarely loses the ball to opponents who tend to man-mark him rather often. Former Brazil and Bayern Munich defender Lúcio, who faced Smith in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final, described him as one of his most difficult opponents ever, stating, "He is always on the move and you never really know when he was about to shoot the ball or not. Quite simply, he's very unpredictable and to even counter him you always have to think many steps ahead which is already a lot to do in itself". A dedicated student of the Total Football system and philosophy, despite being mostly known for his role as a forward, Smith also occasionally experimented as a winger, a second striker, an attacking midfielder, or even as a deep-lying playmaker in a more central position.

Having scored a season's average of an impressive forty goals while also playing a season's average of thirty-four matches over the course of his later playing years, Smith has also received much applause and credit for his longevity especially given he was able to almost match the goalscoring rates of rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with both players being at least several years younger than Smith who by then was already into his thirties. Regarding this, Smith has credited a mix of an "appropriate and efficient training regimen" and a "strict but healthy diet" in allowing him to maintain an almost consistent performance at the highest level even into his thirties whereas some otherwise saw a gradual decline in form as they aged. In addition, playing under the somewhat defensive style of Diego Simeone crucially allowed Smith to conserve his energy as he aged while otherwise utilising most of his energy in short bursts hence his ability to score the usual amount of goals even in his later years. In this, his preference for mostly walking slowly on the pitch before suddenly sprinting with rapid pace led some pundits to liken his playing style at Atlético Madrid to a cheetah, a comparison that head coach Diego Simeone even supported, having once said, "Undoubtedly, if the pitch was like a jungle, Guillermo (William) would be our cheetah silently walking and prowling about before suddenly bursting into life almost immediately once he saw his prey who will find it really hard to outrun him. For us, a goal being scored by him is like a cheetah having finally caught its prey". In addition to his offensive capabilities, Smith has received much credit from teammates and pundits for his defensive work in spite of his traditional role as a forward whereby he would often make well-timed tackles and precise interceptions whenever the opposition team is in possession of the ball while also being actively involved in pressing opponents up high on the pitch in order to immediately win the ball back and create a goalscoring opportunity right away near the opposition's penalty area. Aside from this, Smith is also well-known for his tendency to drop deep into the midfield area where he usually establishes strong link-up plays with his teammates before proceeding to carry the ball forward past opposition defenders. A renowned playmaker in his own right, Smith is also known for his almost equally high assist tally. In this, Smith has received much praise for his openness to assisting in goals rather than just scoring them via his natural playmaking abilities including a combination of reliable and accurate passes, excellent positioning, and strategic off-the-ball movements which generally allows him to orchestrate attacks and create goalscoring chances somewhat regularly.

"From the years I spent with him together at Manchester United and England, he was undoubtedly one of the most committed and driven players that I've ever seen in my life. When necessary, he puts in a hundred percent and it's only natural that others follow suit as well."

Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand on Smith's professionalism

Aside from his widely-acclaimed footballing prowess, Smith is perhaps most well known for his somewhat extreme sense of professionalism and exemplary work ethic, traits that would come to mark his footballing career along with his distinction of having a somewhat "clean" and relatively "unproblematic" reputation which Smith himself admitted to be both natural and deliberate, stating, "When I realised that I have a younger sister who's really into football and who's definitely going to be looking up to me as inspiration, I knew that by all means necessary I have to set an example and be a good role model for her so that she could truly love and appreciate the game especially through someone familiar which is what I strove to be". In 2017, former Manchester United and England teammate Wayne Rooney described Smith as "every bit of a perfectionist, a total disciplinarian, and a 100% type of an outstanding player", adding, "Whenever a big match comes up, out of all the eleven men on the field, he (Smith) will definitely be the most focused and composed man of them all". Moreover, former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who once publicly criticised the perceived laziness and laid-back attitude shown by the England internationals during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, has also heaped much praise on the former Manchester United forward, stating, "Out of all the guys that were in Germany back then for the World Cup, I think he (Smith) was probably the only one that had the game 100% in his mind, not to mention, he had just won one four years back and I think that by all accounts he had that undeniable sense of drive and passion of winning a second one right after the first, something that he was definitely not going to take very lightly until it's all said and done". Accordingly, former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson also recounted Smith's overall behaviour during the last few training sessions for the World Cup in Germany, adding how the former England star was "the first to come and the last to leave" during most training sessions and that the latter "always gave his 100%, or perhaps 105%, each time without fail". Meanwhile, during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2022, Smith publicly revealed a small-sized tattoo on the side of his right arm on which is inscribed a phrase in Spanish that reads "Élite y compuesto" which roughly translates to "Elite and composed", reportedly his two main footballing philosophies, namely putting a consistent top-notch performance and remaining calm and composed, thereby averting any nervous breakdowns or the sort.

In line with his most famous nickname of "The General", throughout much of his playing years, Smith came to acquire a well-known reputation for possessing a somewhat formidable and commanding presence on the pitch as well as a naturally talented and assertive leader with former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson describing the former as "someone naturally born to be a leader with his own set of loyal followers and subordinates". In particular, during important and high stakes matches such as a World Cup final, Smith was known for his "calm and reasonable yet aggressive and uncompromising" demeanour during dressing room meetings with former England teammate Wayne Rooney once stating, "In most cases, if you did well then you'll receive the most praises you'll ever get in your life but if you did badly then you'll get the most berating and scolding you'll ever get in your life instead". Similarly, former United States teammate Landon Donovan, recounting Smith's final dressing room speech just prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final against Brazil, said, "For all the many years I spent with the national team, that dressing room speech was probably the only time I ever felt 100% sure about something in a very long time". In a 2017 BBC Sport interview, Smith admitted that his hardline approach as captain made him an "enemy of some guys who didn't take it too well" but asserted that the results which included back-to-back World Cup and Euros triumph were otherwise indicators for the success of his captaincy, stating, "Opinions may vary as to whether my style as a captain was warranted or not but in regards to how harsh I was as one, I just wanted to make it clear that the harshest of my criticisms were never personal and in most cases only slackers and absolute brats in the team only ever get the harshest of them all and not necessarily those who gave their all but couldn't necessarily get it all right". Nonetheless, his brand of professionalism and an admirable character made Smith a "mentor" to younger and upcoming talents at the clubs that he played namely Manchester United players Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans as well as Atlético Madrid's Antoine Griezmann who is considered by some to be Smith's "protégé".

As of 2024, Smith is just one of only nine footballers in history to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or. Others on the list include Johan Cruyff, Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, as well as fellow compatriots Bobby Charlton, Harry Kane, and his own half-brother Prince Richard.

Managerial Style

Honours

Player

LA Galaxy

  • U.S. Open Cup: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
  • MLS Cup: 2002, 2003
  • CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1997, 2000

Manchester United

  • Premier League: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
  • FA Cup: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09
  • EFL Cup: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
  • Community Shield: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • UEFA Champions League: 2004-05, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2005, 2008, 2009
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2005, 2008, 2009

Atlético Madrid

  • La Liga: 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
  • Copa del Rey: 2012-13, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19
  • Supercopa de España: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • UEFA Champions League: 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
  • UEFA Europa League: 2010-11
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

United States U20

  • FIFA World Youth Championship: 1999

United States

  • FIFA World Cup: 2002
  • FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001, 2003
  • CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2000, 2002

England

  • FIFA World Cup: 2006, 2010, 2014
  • UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012

Manager

Tottenham Hotspur

  • Premier League: 2020-21, 2021-22
  • FA Cup: 2022-23
  • EFL Cup: 2021-22
  • UEFA Champions League: 2019-20, 2020-21
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2020, 2021
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2020, 2021

Individual