Global Football Superstar David Beckham to Retire at the End of the Season

After 21 years, David Beckham is retiring at the end of the season. The English footballer is considered by many as one of the most iconic sportsman of his generation mainly for his ability to transcend his sport and appeal to a global audience. The decision to retire comes at the wake of the most recent win of Paris Saint-Germain. He signed a 5-month contract with PSG in January and is up for two more games before the season ends – one against Brest and another against Lorient.

Beckham said in Paris that it is every athlete’s dream to reach the top and eventually leave the game a champion.

Thanks all around

In a statement, 38-year old Beckham expressed his gratitude to his parents for their sacrifice as well as his wife and children for the inspiration and support. He thanked his former teammates and also thanked PSG for the opportunity that he has been given. Beckham added that this is the proper time to retire while his career is at its peak. His brilliant football career included playing for some of the best clubs in the world such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Los Angeles Galaxy and won titles for all of them.

An illustrious career

“I am fortunate to realize those dreams,” Beckham said. As a young boy Beckham said that if he were told as a young boy that he’d win trophies for Manchester United, his boyhood club, serve as an English captain and play for his country more than a hundred times, he would not have believed it. He said that being a captain for his country is one of his proudest achievements of his career and that wearing the Three Lions shirt is an unequaled honor. Beckham made a total of 115 appearances for the national team of England.

Beckham was with Manchester United when the club won the Champions League in 1999. He won a total of six Premiere League titles with Manchester United between 1992 and 2003, plus the Intercontinental Cup and two FA Cups. Beckham left United in 2003 and played for four years with Real Madrid and played for the Spanish title in 2007. And in a move the surprised most, Beckham went for Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy and won two titles. Beckham has never lifted the World Cup, but this does not seem to be an issue anymore because of all the honor and title that he has achieved.

Transcending the sport

Beckham has just been invited to be the ambassador for football in China. He is the first ever athlete from outside the country to be given the honor. Beckham calls this “a new adventure” and says that he is excited and now he is ready to give back

His marriage to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has made him a celebrity beyond the familiar circle of his sport. Beckham spends time off the grass gracing catwalks and red carpets with his enormously popular pop-star spouse. He has used this popularity for various global causes. He and his wife have also given generously to charity.

Simon Chadwick, a sports business expert said that Beckham’s transition from sportsman to statesman and entrepreneur is compete. Beckham has a fortune estimated to be $46 million a year making him the wealthiest sportsman in the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: David Beckham