By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t the only Manchester United icon to retire from football. Former England captain David Beckham – arguably the most recognised and respected player of his generation – has now announced that he, too, is stepping down at the end of this season after a distinguished career spanning 20 years.
Beckham signed a five-month contract with Paris St Germain only in January and donated all his salary to charity. It was always expected to be his last club but after winning the French league, he has decided to give up playing at the age of 38.
“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. I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams.
“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.”
Such was Beckham’s global stature that in March, he became the first sportsman from outside of China to be invited to become an ambassador for sport in the world’s most populous nation.
“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.
English FA chairman David Bernstein was one of scores of colleagues who paid tribute to Beckham, whose showbiz marriage to former Spice Girl Victoria Adams never masked his infectious, down-to-earth manner and dedication to his family.
“In the week following Sir Alex Ferguson retiring, which came as a bit of a shock, now we have the iconic David Beckham coming out of the game,” said Bernstein. “It’s unexpected even though he is getting to mature years for a footballer. He is a real loss to the game.”
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said Beckham will be remembered as world football’s most popular global superstar.
Beckham was Eriksson’s captain throughout his tenure from 2001 to 2006. “He’s a fantastic footballer, fantastic man and probably the world’s biggest sports personality,” said Eriksson. “I don’t think there is any other football player more popular than him.”
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