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Beckham announces retirement

DavidBeckhamLA (ISIPhotos.com)

 

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

One of the most decorated players in world soccer has decided to call it quits.

According to multiple reports, David Beckham has decided to announce his retirement, just days after winning his tenth league title in four different countries. The 38-year-old Englishman has made 13 appearances in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain since signing with the club at the end of January.

“I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” Beckham said in a statement released on Thursday. “I want to thank all my teammates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.”

Prior to his stay in France, Beckham spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, winning back-to-back MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012, as well as winning the Supporters Shield in 2010 and 2011. The former England international scored 18 goals in 115 MLS appearances during his time with the Galaxy.

Beckham’s stay in MLS also coincided with the creation of the Designated Player Rule, dubbed the “Beckham Rule”, which allows teams in the league to sign a player to a contract above the maximum salary restrictions. This season, 18 of the 19 MLS teams have designated players on their rosters.

What do you think of this news? Do you feel Beckham succeeded in his efforts to help MLS grow? What was your favorite memory of Beckham’s playing career?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Was definitely worth the price of admission even on one of his weaker days.

    For a player who was slow, could barely use his left foot, couldn’t head the ball to save his life, he was an incredible competitor.

    He had a subtlety to his game that belied his pretty boy, attention seeking reputation.

    He had a HUGE impact on the sport, and he will go down in history as one of the greatest right wingers of all time.

    It’s amazing to think of the number of “better” players who just couldn’t get past him to the #7 shirt–Bentley, Dyer, Downing, Wright-Phillips, Lennon.

    He will stay up there with the likes of Garrincha when we think of the greatest right wingers of all time.

    Legend.

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  2. Legendary. Thank you for showing so many of us how to find a way to both compete and share. Your free kicks are ridiculous, i.e. Bend it like Beckham. MLS and its fans should be and are grateful too.

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  3. “One of the most decorated players in world soccer has decided to call it quits.”
    Is this a reference to all his tattoos?

    Beckham has played for a long time and his retirement was overdue. He can certainly look back on a long and successful career as a professional soccer player.

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  4. This man built MLS

    he was getting multiple caps despite playing in MLS. and was on the roster for the English at the WORLD CUP. were it not for injury? he definitely would have featured

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  5. Love him or hate him, you have to respect the guy. True competitor and professional. What gets lost in all the hype and attention around “Brand Beckham” is that behind it all is just a dude who loved to play the game and be part of a team. Sometimes his competitiveness and desire got the best of him (i.e. the extended Milan loan to try and make the 2010 England team), but I’d rather have a guy like that than a guy who’s afraid to ever find that line.

    Bottom line is that he was good for MLS and hopefully he makes good on his potential ownership opportunity and stays involved with the league.

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  6. Thnak you, David form all that you did for United for football and especially for my league MLS. I hope you keep your promise and come back to MLS to help take it to the next level. Thank you.

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    • But seriously, based on their histories, I could see Beckham going where the money takes him but Fergie will never sully his CV with a cheap stunt. He’s coached 2 teams in the last 35 years (3 if you count filling in for Scotland on the side from Aberdeen), and there’s no reason he’d ruin the picture of loyal servant by mailing in a phony retirement and then showing up in the US Soccerball league to coach an expansion team.

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      • We get it bro – you’re too sophisticated a soccer fan to have anything to do with MLS. Surprised you “sullied” your commenting CV by discussing it.

      • I’m a Dynamo fan first and foremost. So, incorrect on your premise.

        My point was that with a guy with that long a history of loyalty, particularly to this elite ManU team, why the heck do you come manage here, undercut the loyal servant image, risk your reputation?

        He’s old enough to just retire as Greatest Man United Manager Ever and short of winning the CL he can’t go out much more on top than with a EPL title by a large margin in his retirement year.

        Unlike Beckham, I don’t think he cares about expanding His Brand, associating himself with all these title teams even as his actual contribution deteriorates. Nor is he chasing a bucketload of money or Hollywood notoriety, he will live just fine off of ManU and will be known by the right people for what he is. He doesn’t need our approval.

  7. coach, part owner on NYC FC, MLS can’t buy any more good press w/ Becks involve hs not everyone is in favor of Flushing stdium

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  8. it was a true treat to watch him play live for the Galaxy. I was a skeptic initially, but after watching him play on my favorite team for all those years, I learned why he’s a great player, great competitor…and he is.

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  9. Who else has retired since Jordan with as much success as a player and a brand as Beckham? Not sure there is one.

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    • Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robert Horry have been some of the most successful athletes in a team sport that I can recall playing on various teams….but like you said, “as a brand”, Jordan/Beckham (and LeBron in the future) are the exception and not the rule.

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  10. Now what? Does he exercise the whole ownership option in his MLS contract? If so, where does he go? LA makes the most sense right or maybe hopping into the NY Cosmos and try to make sure they’re definitely one of the expansion teams? Someone on the radio suggested that perhaps he takes a stab at trying to convince those at Everton to hire him as their next manager. He has said he’s interested in coaching someday but does he take a few years off to be a family man? I think this is actually going to be as exciting as when he was an active player.

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    • It’s my understanding the discount he’d receive from the league does not involve being an owner of a NY team. I remember something related to that verbiage in Grant Wahl’s book.

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  11. As an MLS fan, taking his whole stay here as a total, you have to thank him for multiple things: the DP rule, greater exposure for MLS abroad, increasing attendance, and being an overall ambassador for the league. He may not have started out the way everyone wanted him to, but he ended on a high note and he deserves a special place in MLS history.

    An MLS legend, maybe not in performance, but at least in status. We’ll also see more of him when he exercises his ownership option.

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    • Aside from calling him an Ambassador, I agree with everything else you said.

      Sure, he had some bumps in the road along the way on different levels, but I’ll look back in appreciation and respect for his time here.

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    • +1 his on field performance was pretty good too. Love him or hate him, certainly a polarizing figure, he left a huge impact on the league and LAG. Hope to see him back in the states some time soon.

      Also a tremendous career with Manchester United and England as well as good contributions to Real Madrid, PSG, and AC Milan.. legend for sure..

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