Famed English soccer player footballer David Beckham announced his retirement today, ending his storied career as one of the all-time greats. Beckham’s retirement comes after the 38-year old helped his club, Paris St.-Germain, to a French League championship. This latest title goes along with the innumerable accolades and awards accrued over this 21 year career.
The one-time L.A Galaxy midfielder also spent time with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and A.C. Milan, all of which he brought a championship. When joining the MLS in 2007 he was given the highest player salary in the league’s history of $6.5m per year. His time with Los Angeles invigorated a franchise stuck in mediocrity and breathed new life into an internationally acclaimed sport in a country that isn’t quite as taken with it as their British brethren.
Beckham said in a statement,
“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 realized those dreams.”
A pure and simple winner, Beckham won 115 caps for England and represented his motherland in the World Cup three times in 1998, 2002, and 2006.
Most assuredly in the U.S. and just as likely across the pond, Beckham become known almost more for being a sex symbol than his prowess on the pitch. Endorsements and branding from Adidas helped solidify this, and his marriage to former Spice Girls band member Victoria Beckham turned him into a Beverly Hills socialite.
But his achievements in soccer cannot be outshone, no matter how many boxer brief commercials he appeared in. He is the first Englishman to win league titles in four different countries, the first England player to score at three World Cups, the First British footballer to play 100 Champions League games, and shares the second place spot for most goal assists in European Championship finals history.
The retirement of iconic athletes like David Beckham are bittersweet, marketing the end of an era and the passing of a torch but giving fans the privilege of spectating one of the game’s all-time greats.
Teen girls can rest easy, though, as Beckham is unlikely to be completely ostracized from the spotlight. On the sidelines Beckham has contributed to and participated in various charities as well as appeared in multiple television and film spots.
