Beckham to retire

[Chazza]

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: David Beckham set to retire from football - England legend calls it a day

David Beckham is set to retire from football, bringing an end to a glittering career on the field.

Since his debut for Manchester United two decades ago, the 38-year-old has emerged as arguably the most iconic sportsman of his generation, captaining his country, collecting over 100 caps, and celebrated as a champion in four different countries - the only British footballer in history to do so.

Despite the offer of an extended one-year deal at Paris Saint-German, sources in Paris have told Sportsmail that the 38-year-old has played his last game, bowing out on a high after helping Carlo Ancelotti's side win the French title for the first time in 19 years.

When approached for comment by Sportsmail, Beckham's representative was today unavailable

The trailblazing midfielder - who played for some of the biggest clubs in the world such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Los Angeles Galaxy - is now set to continue his ambassadorial duties with a variety of organisations, which include Sky Sports, adidas, Unicef and promoting football in China.

Having relocated from LA in January, Beckham is expected to set up a permanent base in London with his wife Victoria and children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

His vast fortune of an estimated £165million comfortably makes him the richest athlete ever in British sport, with a host of lucrative sponsorship deals and salary payments over the last decade amassing his wealth.

Born in Leytonstone, Beckham started out with Ridgeway Rovers before being singled out by Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton at a Soccer School in Barcelona.

At 14, he signed schoolboy terms at Old Trafford and joined the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt in United's famous youth class of 1992, going on to make his first-team debut against Brighton in the League Cup that same year.

More to follow...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2325558/David-Beckham-set-retire-football--world-exclusive.html

Whatever anyone thinks of him he has had a fantastic career.

[Pablo]

Yeah fair play. He was terrific for Man Utd, and decent at Madrid too. Should have retired after that though, as it's been a bit of a circus ever since.

[Alex]

Quite like D-Beck. He had his faults as a player and a person. But he always seemed to work hard and give his all.

Wicked right foot too.


D-Beck

[Chazza]

Honours

Manchester United
Premier League (6): 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03
FA Cup (2): 1995–96, 1998–99
FA Community Shield (4): 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997
FA Youth Cup (1): 1991–92
UEFA Champions League (1): 1998–99
Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999

Real Madrid
La Liga (1): 2006–07
Supercopa de España (1): 2003

Los Angeles Galaxy
MLS Cup (2): 2011, 2012
MLS Supporters' Shield (2): 2010, 2011
MLS Western Conference
Winners (Regular Season) (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
Winners (Playoffs) (3): 2009, 2011, 2012

Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1 (1): 2012–13

England
Apps 115 Goals 17

[Alex]

He won a fair bit in America then.

[Lee]

Yeah fair play. He was terrific for Man Utd, and decent at Madrid too. Should have retired after that though, as it's been a bit of a circus ever since.

Or he should've spent another couple of years in Europe after Madrid rather than pissing away his career in America.

Quite like D-Beck. He had his faults as a player and a person. But he always seemed to work hard and give his all.

Wicked right foot too.


D-Beck

I like him too.

D-Beck.

[Tee]

I always thought him moving to Madrid destabilised the 'Galacticos' team. Still, he had a wand of a right foot and there is no doubt that away from the pitch Beckham is a decent bloke and a great father by all accounts.

I think he will buy a team in the MLS now and sign up some PL has beens like Lampard.

[Alex]

Its something the Football Ramble lot refer to him as. I like it, kinda makes him seem like a caricature.

[Lee]

He's also a bloody well-dressed bloke. Proper fashion icon imo.

[Chazza]

He's also a bloody well-dressed bloke. Proper fashion icon imo.

Don't think he ironed his jeans

[Alex]

sportingintelligence @sportingintel 1m
No statement from No10 yet about #Beckham. That is just tardy. Someone tell Cameron there's a bandwagon rolling ....

[Lee]

Don't think he ironed his jeans

His housekeeper would do that for him of course.

[dom9]

I have neither rated him as a footballer nor a celebrity. I don't know him as a person, so I can't comment on that bit.

In fact, to me, he and his untalented wife represent a lot that is wrong in the world. All style (aparently), **** all substance.

[Alex]

Bit of a harsh assessment. He has done a fair bit for Charity has he not? UNICEF, Aids, Maleria and obviously donating his wages to a French childrens charity.

[Chazza]

Bit of a harsh assessment. He has done a fair bit for Charity has he not? UNICEF, Aids, Maleria and obviously donating his wages to a French childrens charity.

The donating of his wages was a nice touch.