DAVID BECKHAM WILL call time on his glittering career at the end of this season.
The 38-year-old midfielder, who last week won France’s Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, is hanging up his boots after enjoying successful spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan (on loan) and, most recently, in the French capital.
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Beckham has turned down a one-year extension and retires having won 115 caps for England, which leaves him just 10 short of the all-time record – held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” he said, in comments reported by the BBC.
If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club, Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times, and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy.
“I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams.”
Having started his career with United, he came through the ranks alongside the likes of Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Nevilles, Gary and Phil, and went on to win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League in 1999.
A big money move to Real Madrid followed after he fell out with Alex Ferguson in 2003 and, despite being frozen out by manager Fabio Capello, he won La Liga in his final season.
Beckham then made a surprise move to the US and played for MLS side La Galaxy for five seasons. He also spent two loan periods with AC Milan during that period.
Will never forget his last season at Madrid. Ignored and abandoned by Cappello he fought his way back into the team and played some superb football, going on to finally claim a la liga title.
Fantastic right foot and amazing resilience in a career which was never dull.
He will be missed though i reckon never far from the game
Big time, the guy had bags of character. His comeback to score the goal against Greece, last minute free kick, after the mob turned on him over the sending off in the World Cup was epic. Lot of respect for him.
Joe, Skillo, Lizzie and Coolers. You are right, it’s the interaction I enjoy. You just made a very vain man, very happy. Appreciate that, this ones for you guys
The man used what he had to his absolute advantage. A very good footballer, who knew his limits. What he could do, he did it better than anyone else at the time. On an International level, he showed a quality that was decreasing with each generation, passion.
He combined all that with his looks, an exceptional PR team and created one of the biggest sports stars the world has ever seen.
In fairness to him, that image completely revitalised the game in America. I know the standard over there still isn’t great but the profile of the game among kids & young adults is much higher as a direct effect of him going there. I was at a game in Gillette stadium outside Boston where there were 50 thousand there to watch the revolution play the galaxy. The previous season there would have been about 10 at best. Respect where it’s due, not many players could have that affect on a nation where so many sports come before ‘soccer’. Good luck to him!!
I once did a DIY version of his famous curtains haircut. There is no photgraphic evidence of me from 14 to 16 as a result.
Also, he was a hero to me when I was growing up. He came back from a loan spell at PNE scored a (deflected) goal against Villa on the opening day of the 95/96 season. One year later he hit that halfway line shot against Wimbledon.
Great player for united and Madrid , He is right up there with the best ,arguably the best free kick taker ever,I don’t think anybody could cross a ball better then him either,he showed he still had what it took to play top level European football at AC Milan, It’s a pity he went to play in America so early, would’ve got into any team in the world at that stage.
A very good player at his best, though that was behind him at 28 – Ferguson was right to let him leave Man U. He was certainly not a great player or a legend, if he’d been born ugly he wouldn’t be half as lauded.
Good footballer yes great footballer .sure all he had to do was look to his left when he was playin good football to find 3 better footballers giggs scholes & keane.he was well past his sell by date..
James he makes a lot more money through sponsorships and endorsements than he does through football. He also does a lot for charity, and so what if he makes a few mil for himself. More luck to him.
Great ambassador for the game of football and young people …….. And wore the England jersey with pride & that it actually meant something to be selected for your country , if only there was more like him ;-)
He’s obviously not daft as alot of people used to say ….. Because outside football he seems to have been advised well financially and listened to advice & as a result …….. Probably worth a few quid!!!
‘He can’t kick with his left foot, he can’t head, he can’t tackle, and he doesn’t score many goals. Apart from that, he’s all right.’ George Best on Beckham
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i wish him well in his retirement always gave 100 percent
Fergie and Beckham in the one month…the war horse and the clothes horse moving on the pastures greener.
No truer statement!!!
That’s fuhing brilliant
Nice footballer…..crap hurler
Big baby, small turkey though..
Will never forget his last season at Madrid. Ignored and abandoned by Cappello he fought his way back into the team and played some superb football, going on to finally claim a la liga title.
Fantastic right foot and amazing resilience in a career which was never dull.
He will be missed though i reckon never far from the game
That will be my memory of him too. Scoring a free kick against Sociedad on his first match back.
Big time, the guy had bags of character. His comeback to score the goal against Greece, last minute free kick, after the mob turned on him over the sending off in the World Cup was epic. Lot of respect for him.
Do you have to comment on everything???
Yeh Adebayo! Why do you have to comment on every article?
Because I love myself.
PS. I comment on about 5 articles a day. Journal probably runs 30 plus. So….
Why take the time out to even reply to that Ade.You’re a player,play the game!
Cos I’m addicted to commenting….
Adeo…this place would be far poorer without ya…keep the comments coming.
Leave Adebayo alone lads, he is a breath of fresh air around here sometimes. #adebayofanclub
Don’t hate the player, hate the game,I’m one of your biggest fans capt. adebayo keep up the good work, haters gonna hate.
Joe, Skillo, Lizzie and Coolers. You are right, it’s the interaction I enjoy. You just made a very vain man, very happy. Appreciate that, this ones for you guys
ADEBAAAAAAAAAAAYOOOOOOOOOOOO! Woooooow!
Ledgend
The man used what he had to his absolute advantage. A very good footballer, who knew his limits. What he could do, he did it better than anyone else at the time. On an International level, he showed a quality that was decreasing with each generation, passion.
He combined all that with his looks, an exceptional PR team and created one of the biggest sports stars the world has ever seen.
Fairplay to him for all that.
And always a gentleman. Met him once and was amazed by his totally unassuming manner.
Some great goals… best of luck
Between this and Fergie retiring the number of people involved in football whose names I know has suddenly reduced by loads.
At least he still has his personality.
Of a plank of wood and im a utd man
He was a good player for utd but scholes,giggs,Keane and cantona were in a different league.
An inferior league.
He was in the same league as them, his goals assists and work rate put him there. There all different types of players with a winning mentality.
Leslie I couldn’t agree more and the red thumbs ah folks its Beckham retiring not God !!!
A good player, he wasn’t a great player, like Johnn or Liam.
More an image icon than a player imo. The game has and will continue to benefit from his ambassador side though.
In fairness to him, that image completely revitalised the game in America. I know the standard over there still isn’t great but the profile of the game among kids & young adults is much higher as a direct effect of him going there. I was at a game in Gillette stadium outside Boston where there were 50 thousand there to watch the revolution play the galaxy. The previous season there would have been about 10 at best. Respect where it’s due, not many players could have that affect on a nation where so many sports come before ‘soccer’. Good luck to him!!
Ugh, he’s so handsome, even Ryan Gosling is jealous.
Any one who begrudges this lad is jealous. Fair play to him. He’ll continue to try his best at whatever he does.
Couldn’t agree more…he may not have had all the skill, pace and flair of some other players but he was quality and always gave 100%…Legend!!
Never seen a better player passing/crossing a deadball
What about Stephen hunt!
What league is he playing in now? (YARP!)
I once did a DIY version of his famous curtains haircut. There is no photgraphic evidence of me from 14 to 16 as a result.
Also, he was a hero to me when I was growing up. He came back from a loan spell at PNE scored a (deflected) goal against Villa on the opening day of the 95/96 season. One year later he hit that halfway line shot against Wimbledon.
6 premier league medals , a champions league medal, a la Liga medal and 2 fa cup medals. Better than average.
Great ambassador for the game! He’s a class act compared to some of the prima donnas muppets that aren’t good enough to lace his boots.
Great player and a great role model
Great player for united and Madrid , He is right up there with the best ,arguably the best free kick taker ever,I don’t think anybody could cross a ball better then him either,he showed he still had what it took to play top level European football at AC Milan, It’s a pity he went to play in America so early, would’ve got into any team in the world at that stage.
Beckham had a good free kick but he was nowhere near Ronald Koeman or Juninho.
What a player best of luck
Made the most of his talent and always gave 100% for club and country. Shame more didn’t.
Didn’t do badly for a lad who couldn’t tackle, couldn’t head the ball, was one paced, couldn’t dribble and had no left foot.
The most overrated player of his generation if not ever!
Had realised he only had one foot. That just makes him even more amazing, surely ?
The things you learn on The Journal.
*** Hadn,t Sorry.
A gentleman and a great ambassador for football and for his country. Good luck to him in the future with his lovely family.
Nice one Beck, you will always be remembered as an illustrious son of Britain, well done, and good luck.
Made the best of brand beckham and average football ability
Dry your eyes, Becks.
A very good player at his best, though that was behind him at 28 – Ferguson was right to let him leave Man U. He was certainly not a great player or a legend, if he’d been born ugly he wouldn’t be half as lauded.
Good footballer yes great footballer .sure all he had to do was look to his left when he was playin good football to find 3 better footballers giggs scholes & keane.he was well past his sell by date..
No*
LEGEND!!!!
Wanted to retire at the top of his game ha ha
Wanted to retire when he squeezed every pound out of football that he could
@James is that why he gave all his wages from PSG to charity?
I didn’t say there was anything wrong with him earning Money
And fair play to him giving his wages but bet ur arse it was tax happy
Becks was a great player for both Club and country(don’t mention the Argentina game).
James he makes a lot more money through sponsorships and endorsements than he does through football. He also does a lot for charity, and so what if he makes a few mil for himself. More luck to him.
Great ambassador for the game of football and young people …….. And wore the England jersey with pride & that it actually meant something to be selected for your country , if only there was more like him ;-)
He’s obviously not daft as alot of people used to say ….. Because outside football he seems to have been advised well financially and listened to advice & as a result …….. Probably worth a few quid!!!
It’s called soccer in this country.
Never was my cup of tea,more of a walking advertisment,still is.
‘He can’t kick with his left foot, he can’t head, he can’t tackle, and he doesn’t score many goals. Apart from that, he’s all right.’ George Best on Beckham
Dead ball Dave.