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.
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.
In January, he joined PSG on a short-term deal.
