David Beckham called time on his career on this day in 2013 as the world’s most famous footballer went out on top. A medal-laden career that began as part of Manchester United’s glamorous ‘Class of 92’ ended in Paris via stops in Madrid, Los Angeles, and Milan.
Beckham collected six Premier League titles and a Champions League winners’ medal at the United boyhood club before winning LaLiga with Real Madrid and two MLS Cup titles at LA Galaxy. Loan spells at AC Milan at the end of his career contrasted dramatically with his brief stay at Preston during the formative years of a career that would end with celebrations in the French capital.
Beckham – a man who suffered his fair share of lows along with the highs – called it quits at the age of 38, after helping Paris St Germain pick up the Ligue 1 title.
“It is the dream of every competitor, it is the dream of every footballer to go out on a top form or win a trophy,” he said.
Beckham felt lucky because every time he switched a club he won the league before leaving. When he was about to leave United and Madrid the team won the league. He won the championship after leaving Galaxy. He felt blessed because he kept on winning the championship there and then proceeding to win the league.
None retired as impressive as the midfielder with a club or international CV-a player who changed and transcended football throughout his 21-year career.
Beckham says that at the end of the day he is a footballer who has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, with some of the greatest players and under some of the best coaches.
Beckham hopes that people remember him as a hard-working and passionate footballer because he feels that he has given all that he had.
“To come to the end of my career now to look back and say I’ve done it all with every club I’ve ever played for, played 115 times for my country, runner-up twice in the World Player of the Year to two great footballers [Rivaldo and Luis Figo], I’m very proud of that,” he added.
Beckham skipped PSG to a 3-1 victory against Brest at the Parc des Princes two days after his announcement, rolling back the years in a superb display as the curtain descended on his decorated career.
