David Beckham seen in an England shirt in a match against Greece
The former England national football team captain David Beckham, now 38, has announced he will retire from the game at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United midfielder who also played for Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy and Paris St Germain won 115 international caps, a record for an outfield player, and donned the Three Lions armband on 58 occasions. But the midfielder has now decided to bring the curtain down on his illustrious playing career.
Beckham's decision comes a few days after the manager who gave him so much at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson also announced his retirement, as well as his former team-mate at Manchester United, Paul Scholes.
Beckham said: ?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.
?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.?
Beckham insists his career with the national side ranks as one of his crowning moments.
He added: ?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. I'm honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch.?
He added that he wouldn't have achieved what he has done without his 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.
?I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.
?Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, 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."
Beckham 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.
In his club career, Beckham won the UEFA Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his 10-year stay at Manchester United.
He joined Real Madrid in 2003 and won the Spanish league with them four years later before signing for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy.
He had two loan stints with Italian side AC Milan and joined French outfit PSG in January.
Beckham clinched the French championship with them earlier this month ? becoming the first Englishman to win a league title in four different countries.
His final appearance will be against Lorient on May 26.
The former England national football team captain David Beckham, now 38, has announced he will retire from the game at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United midfielder who also played for Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy and Paris St Germain won 115 international caps, a record for an outfield player, and donned the Three Lions armband on 58 occasions. But the midfielder has now decided to bring the curtain down on his illustrious playing career.
Beckham's decision comes a few days after the manager who gave him so much at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson also announced his retirement, as well as his former team-mate at Manchester United, Paul Scholes.
Beckham said: ?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.
?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.?
Beckham insists his career with the national side ranks as one of his crowning moments.
He added: ?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. I'm honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch.?
He added that he wouldn't have achieved what he has done without his 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.
?I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.
?Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, 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."
Beckham 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.
In his club career, Beckham won the UEFA Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his 10-year stay at Manchester United.
He joined Real Madrid in 2003 and won the Spanish league with them four years later before signing for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy.
He had two loan stints with Italian side AC Milan and joined French outfit PSG in January.
Beckham clinched the French championship with them earlier this month ? becoming the first Englishman to win a league title in four different countries.
His final appearance will be against Lorient on May 26.
