David Beckham is retiring from football, ending a career in which he became a global superstar who transcended the sport. The 38-year-old Beckham, who recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, today announced he will retire at the end of the season.
"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.
"The right-sided midfielder earned 115 caps for England during his career - a record for an outfield player - while he also represented AC Milan and the Los Angeles Galaxy at club level.
"In total he won 10 domestic titles in four different countries, also winning the Champions League in 1999 and captaining his country at two World Cups and a European Championships.
"PSG had reportedly offered him a one-year extension to remain in the French capital, but Beckham instead opted to end a career that began when he joined Manchester United as a 14-year-old after catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson's staff.
"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.
"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. 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."
