Au Revoir David! Beckham signs off to tears & cheers
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David Beckham was reduced to tears after playing what could be his final game as a professional footballer on Saturday night.
Made captain for the night by Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti, Beckham played his full part in a 3-1 win against over Brest.
Beckham played a small part in Zlatan Ibrahimović's opener and struck the corner which led to Blaise Matuidi's second.
With nine minutes remaining, the fourth official indicated that it was time for PSG's No 32 to leave the field and nearly 45,000 crowd at the Parc des Princes rose as one to salute the 38-year-old.
With the realization that his glittering 847-game career was winding down, the raw emotion of the moment got the better of the most iconic player of his generation.
Beckham embraced teammates and opponents before being substituted by Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Family and friends, including his pop star wife Victoria, were in the stands to watch him.
"I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris. To my teammates, to the staff, to the fans," said Beckham.
"It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special.
"I just feel that it's the right time. I feel that I've achieved everything that I could in my career. I wanted to go out as a champion.
"I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I've been here for 10 years.
"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family.
"It's been a very special place for me."
After the final whistle, teammates hoisted Beckham off the ground and repeatedly tossed him in the air, putting a smile back on his face.
Though PSG still has one more match at Lorient, it seems unlikely that Beckham will feature in the game on 26 May.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said afterwards: "It's up to the coach but I think that will be David's last match."
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| David Beckham breaks down in tears as he leaves the pitch after being substituted Photo: Getty Images |
Made captain for the night by Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti, Beckham played his full part in a 3-1 win against over Brest.
Beckham played a small part in Zlatan Ibrahimović's opener and struck the corner which led to Blaise Matuidi's second.
With nine minutes remaining, the fourth official indicated that it was time for PSG's No 32 to leave the field and nearly 45,000 crowd at the Parc des Princes rose as one to salute the 38-year-old.
With the realization that his glittering 847-game career was winding down, the raw emotion of the moment got the better of the most iconic player of his generation.
Beckham embraced teammates and opponents before being substituted by Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Family and friends, including his pop star wife Victoria, were in the stands to watch him.
 | |
| David Beckham is thrown in the air by his PSG teammates Photo: Getty Images |
"I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris. To my teammates, to the staff, to the fans," said Beckham.
"It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special.
"I just feel that it's the right time. I feel that I've achieved everything that I could in my career. I wanted to go out as a champion.
"I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I've been here for 10 years.
"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family.
"It's been a very special place for me."
After the final whistle, teammates hoisted Beckham off the ground and repeatedly tossed him in the air, putting a smile back on his face.
Though PSG still has one more match at Lorient, it seems unlikely that Beckham will feature in the game on 26 May.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said afterwards: "It's up to the coach but I think that will be David's last match."
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