BreakingNews:David Beckham Retires From Football

Former England captain David Beckham has
announced that he is to retire from
professional football.
The 38-year-old - who has played for
Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and
Los Angeles Galaxy - is turning down the offer
of an extended one-year deal at his current
club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
After winning the French title with the club,
Beckham said he wanted to finish his career on
a high.
The midfielder spoke exclusively to his former
Manchester United teammate and long-time
friend Gary Neville for Sky Sports News about
his decision.
He said: "Over the years when I've seen players
retire, when you ask them they said 'you'll
know when you're ready'...I think I know when
I'm ready.
"It's difficult because I still think I can play at
the top level...but I've always said to myself I
want to go out on top."
David Beckham won the treble with
Manchester United
He admitted that he had found it difficult when
his life as a global celebrity occasionally took
the focus away from his football career.
He said: "Sometimes people have looked at
certain other things that have gone on
throughout my career, sometimes that's
overshadowed what I've done on the pitch.
"As much as I say that doesn't hurt me, of
course it does.
"I'm a footballer that has played for some of
the biggest clubs in the world, played with
some of the best players in the world, played
under some of the biggest and best managers
and achieved almost everything in football."
Asked when he decided the time was right to
call time on his career, he joked: "Probably
when Messi was running past me in that home
game!"
Gary Neville interviewed Beckham about his
decision for Sky Sports News
He has just two more matches left at PSG,
where his salary has been going to a children's
charity.
The retirement brings to an end a glittering
career. As well as winning league titles in
Spain, Italy and England, he also holds the
record for making 115 international
appearances as an outfield player.
There were highs and lows in Beckham's
international career. He was blamed for
England's elimination from the 1998 World
Cup for a red card against Argentina, but
scored the winning goal against the same team
in Japan four years later.
He has four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz
and Harper, with his wife, Spice Girl turned
fashion designer Victoria Beckham.
Tributes from friends and colleagues in the
game, but also from celebrities and even the
Prime Minister serve as a reminder of how
Beckham's fame spread beyond the football
world.
David Cameron said he had enjoyed a
"fantastic career as an outstanding footballer
and an outstanding ambassador".
David Beckham pictured with his wife and
three sons in December 2012
Gary Lineker tweeted: "David Beckham has
retired. A wonderful player, global superstar
and a magnificent ambassador for England and
football."
England manager Roy Hodgson told Sky Sports
News: "I wish him well in the future whatever
he chooses to do and I personally hope that
will be in football.
"David is a man of many talents and a lot of
people now will be wanting him for different
jobs and roles, some of which could take him
away from us in football.
"But I'm rather hoping we'll be able to keep
him in football because we can really benefit
from his experience, we can really benefit
from his charisma and we certainly benefit
from the magnificent past he has had as a
football player."
Beckham has taken up an increasing number of
high profile roles off the pitch.
He is currently an ambassador for Chinese
football, and last month partnered with Sky to
champion the benefits of youth sport.