David Beckham retires: British soccer legend’s life in pictures

By Elisa Wasson

Former England captain David Beckham has announced his impending retirement from professional football at the age of 38 on Thursday (May 16, 2013). The midfielder decided to finish his career on a high after winning the French title with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for the first time in 19 years. He is turning down the offer of an extended one-year deal at PSG, having just two games left for the club before bowing out. His last game of football will be on the synthetic pitch at Lorient's 18,110-capacity Stade du Moustoir, with the last home match of his career against Brest at Parc des Princes this Saturday. "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," David Beckham said. "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."

David Beckham announced his retirement at the end of the current season on Thursday (May 16, 2013) after helping Carlo Ancelotti's PSG win the French title for the first time in 19 years.

The retirement brought to an end a glittering career of David Beckham, who is now set to continue his ambassadorial duties with a variety of organisations, including Unicef, Sky Sports, Adidas and promoting football in China. The English footballer began his career with Manchester United, scoring 85 goals in 394 games and winning the Champions League in 1999 with the team. He then played for Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy, winning league titles with all those clubs. Beckham also played on loan with AC Milan and made 115 appearances for his country, a record in England for someone other than a goalkeeper.

David Beckham won the Champions League with Manchester United in 1999. The football star also won the Premier League and FA Cup with the club in the same year.

Beckham was the only British footballer in history to celebrate as a champion in four different countries.

The former Manchester United player, who won over 100 caps for his England and lifted 19 trophies in two different continents during his career, happily took a photo with his wife and sons.

David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham, who have four children together including three sons Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and daughter Harper, attended the Los Angeles Lakers basketball game at Staples Center at the Staples Center.

The 38-year-old player carried his 21-month-old daughter Harper Beckham as they left lunch at the Le Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France on Sunday, May 5, 2013.

The dashing Beckham was known as much for his fashion as his feet with ever-changing hairstyles.

David Beckham has set the fashion with his haircuts over the years.

The soccer superstar was the richest athlete ever in British sport with his vast fortune of an estimated £165 million as well as a host of lucrative sponsorship deals and salary payments over the last decade amassing his wealth.

See more pictures:

» David Beckham in Burberry Prorsum wool coat, PLUS H&M Spring/Summer 2013 Ad

» David Beckham takes Harper to Victoria Beckham's Spring 2013 fashion show

» David Beckham kicks off his ambassadorial role for Chinese football during a two-day visit in Beijing

About the Author:

I maintain various sites and blogs with a large audience. My hobby is collecting pictures of celebrities and writing articles on sports and entertainment.

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