Stevo985 Posted May 16, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted May 16, 2013 From the beeb David Beckham to retire from football at end of season Comments (507) Former England captain David Beckham is to retire at the end of this season after an illustrious 20-year career. The 38-year-old signed a five-month deal at Paris St-Germain in January. Beckham made 115 appearances for England and 394 for Manchester United, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League. "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. PSG have two more games before the end of the season, at home against Brest on Saturday and away to Lorient on 26 May. Beckham, who donates his salary with the newly crowned French champions to charity, has made 13 appearances since moving to Paris. “He's been a fantastic ambassador for football and sport. What he has achieved has been remarkable. Whatever he goes on to do I'm sure he will achieve a lot” Lee SharpeEx-Man Utd midfielder and former team-mate The Leytonstone-born midfielder has played for United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG, lifting 19 trophies including 10 league titles. He is the only English player to win championships in four countries. "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 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy," he said. "I'm fortunate to have realised those dreams." Beckham moved to Real Madrid in 2003, winning La Liga with them in 2007 before a switch to the United States with LA Galaxy. The midfielder made his England debut against Moldova in 1996 and captained the side from 2000 to 2006, making his 115th and final England appearance in a 3-0 win over Belarus in 2009. Beckham's club football career 1992-2003: Manchester United (265 apps, 62 goals) 1994-1995: Preston North End (loan) (five apps, two goals) 2003-2007: Real Madrid (116 apps, 13 goals) 2007-2012: Los Angeles Galaxy (115 apps, 18 goals) 2009-2010: Loan spells at AC Milan (29 apps, two goals) 2013: Paris St-Germain (nine apps, no goals) "To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country. I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country," said Beckham. Beckham was the first English player to score at three consecutive World Cup finals and has the joint-second most goal assists in European Championship finals history. In March 2013, he became the first sportsman from outside of China to be invited to become the ambassador for the sportin the country "Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love," Beckham added. "However, I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead. "I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back. "I wouldn't have achieved what I have done today without my family. I'm grateful for my parents' sacrifice, which made me realise my dreams. "I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimzk5 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Fantastic footballer, did england proud after Argentina 98, global icon. Stupid pony tale and high pitched voice though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legov Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 End of an era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HongKongVillan Posted May 16, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted May 16, 2013 Detailed to Attention - no this isnt the wrong way round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.I.C.O. Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I can remember when he broke onto the scene. It is indeed the end of an era; it makes you wonder with all these quality England players retiring from international football or hanging up their boots recently (Ferdinand, Scholes, Owen, Beckham etc) how the bloody hell we never won a damn thing on the international stage. Look at the england team today compared to 2004, 2006 etc, they arent in the same league! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villaajax Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Overrated 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I can remember when he broke onto the scene. It is indeed the end of an era; it makes you wonder with all these quality England players retiring from international football or hanging up their boots recently (Ferdinand, Scholes, Owen, Beckham etc) how the bloody hell we never won a damn thing on the international stage. Look at the england team today compared to 2004, 2006 etc, they arent in the same league! The golden generation were good but they weren't good enough to win a world cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 (edited) I actually think Beckham was slightly overrated myself. He could shoot and cross a ball but he didn't have a lot else going for him except a pretty face. I certainly wouldn't rate him up there with former greats like Booby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson and Gazza Edited May 16, 2013 by PaulC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legov Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I can remember when he broke onto the scene. It is indeed the end of an era; it makes you wonder with all these quality England players retiring from international football or hanging up their boots recently (Ferdinand, Scholes, Owen, Beckham etc) how the bloody hell we never won a damn thing on the international stage. Look at the england team today compared to 2004, 2006 etc, they arent in the same league! The golden generation were good but they weren't good enough to win a world cup. They should have done better than quarter-finals every 2 years though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I can remember when he broke onto the scene. It is indeed the end of an era; it makes you wonder with all these quality England players retiring from international football or hanging up their boots recently (Ferdinand, Scholes, Owen, Beckham etc) how the bloody hell we never won a damn thing on the international stage. Look at the england team today compared to 2004, 2006 etc, they arent in the same league! The golden generation were good but they weren't good enough to win a world cup. They should have done better than quarter-finals every 2 years though. Don't know maybe that was their level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I actually think Beckham was slightly overrated myself. He could shoot and cross a ball but he didn't have a lot else going for him except a pretty face. I certainly wouldn't rate him up there with former greats like Booby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson and Gazza He wasn't blessed with any pace but he was still a brilliant player. He could do in half a yard what it took a lot of wingers 5 runs to the bye-line to do - deliver a decent cross. He didn't need pace, he was almost a geometric genius with his precision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avfc96 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 What a goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Erm, y'know, I'm going to miss his erm y'know post-match interviews, y'know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadenb42 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Legend, a player who knew what it meant to play for England Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Great ambassador for the game. Probably the most famous player ever, only rivaled by Pele. On his day, a fantastic player. Also seems like a decent guy. Some dodgy personal life things, but nothing criminal, so who cares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyblade Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Biro Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Such a legend, to this day i cant imagine stepping up to a freekick from that distance in injury time with the stakes that high and planting it into the top corner, unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milfner Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 (edited) What a goal. The commentary on that is so blatantly post-recorded. You'd be going absolutely batshit crazy if you were an English commentator and that went in. Anyway, gonna miss Beckham. Complete legend of the game. Edited May 16, 2013 by Milfner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted May 16, 2013 Author VT Supporter Share Posted May 16, 2013 ^^^^ Try this one. Crap quality but better commentary for that moment. Good ol' Motty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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