The 38-year-old Londoner, who started his career at Manchester United where he was part of the legendary treble winning team of 1999, before going on to play for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint Germain, decided not to renew his contract with the French champions.
Whilst Beckham had played well in the French league games he was criticised by pundits for his performance in the team’s Champions League campaign.
In an interview with his old teammate Gary Neville, Beckham 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.”
Beckham also spoke about his profile off the pitch. From a high-voiced boy with a curtains haircut Beckham has become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet.
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.”
It is a fact that Beckham’s off-field profile has overshadowed a career of tremendous achievement. A career with several troughs but many more peaks
In 1998 Beckham became the pantomime national villain after getting a red card for kicking Diego Simone in a World Cup second round match.
He won a place in the country’s hearts forever with his performance against Greece which culminated in an injury time equaliser against that took England to the 2002 World Cup..
His move to American football was derided by many fans who felt it was one to accommodate his wife’s aspirations.
Beckham lead his LA Galaxy team to back-to-back MLS titles in 2011 and 2012.
Beckham returned to Europe to play for the newly wealthy PSG, choosing to have his entire wage paid to a local children’s charity.
The opportunities for Beckham now he’s hung up his boots are sure to be huge.
Image via Getty
