BAK
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 11, 2007
- 124,767
- 288,334
[h=1]David Beckham makes tearful exit in final Paris Saint-Germain home game[/h] Beckham pays tribute to colleagues, staff and fans
Unlikely to feature in PSG's final game away at Lorient
David Beckham breaks down after being substituted in his final match at the Parc des Princes. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
David Beckham bade a tearful farewell to his playing career at the Parc des Princes after he was substituted seven minutes from the end of Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win over Brest.
Although PSG, who are celebrating winning their first French title since 1994, have a final fixture remaining, away to Lorient, the scenes at the end of a match watched by, among others, Beckham's wife Victoria and the former French premier Nicolas Sarkozy, had all the elements you might expect of a final outing for the 38-year-old.
At the point where Beckham saw his number was up he became clearly emotional, hugging each of his 10 team-mates in turn most of whom had dyed their hair in British red, white and blue by way of a tribute to the Londoner before working his way along the bench in similar fashion.
After the game he told the crowd: "I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris. To my team-mates, to the staff, to the fans. It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special. I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I've been here for 10 years."
Fans applauded as Beckham was hoisted on to his team-mates' shoulders and then thrown into the air. "Beckham one more year please?" said one poster. But there may not even be one more game.
PSG's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said he felt it was unlikely that Beckham would feature against Lorient.
"We have to decide, but I don't think he will play. He will come with the team but I don't think he will play a plastic pitch is difficult for a 38-year-old," Ancelotti said, before praising Beckham's impact on world football.
"He will miss the world of football because he showed a good image every time, really professional. It was a fantastic evening for him. He will have a very good memory of this night. When you finish, when you stop, you have memories of all the years."
Ancelotti joked that Beckham should have scored.
"I spoke with David and told him in my last game I scored two goals. I said to him 'Maybe tonight you'll score two goals' but maybe he didn't have my quality!"
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic again was PSG's main figure on the field, scoring twice, this game was Beckham's moment from the start. He was given the captain's armband for the first time since joining the team on the last day of the January transfer window, and was given a rousing reception at Parc des Princes before the game, with fans breaking out into chants of "Merci, David" when his name was read out.
"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family," Beckham said, before adding that he still wants to stay involved with PSG. "It's been a very special place for me."
Unlikely to feature in PSG's final game away at Lorient
- Guardian staff and agencies
- The Observer, Sunday 19 May 2013
David Beckham breaks down after being substituted in his final match at the Parc des Princes. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
David Beckham bade a tearful farewell to his playing career at the Parc des Princes after he was substituted seven minutes from the end of Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win over Brest.
Although PSG, who are celebrating winning their first French title since 1994, have a final fixture remaining, away to Lorient, the scenes at the end of a match watched by, among others, Beckham's wife Victoria and the former French premier Nicolas Sarkozy, had all the elements you might expect of a final outing for the 38-year-old.
At the point where Beckham saw his number was up he became clearly emotional, hugging each of his 10 team-mates in turn most of whom had dyed their hair in British red, white and blue by way of a tribute to the Londoner before working his way along the bench in similar fashion.
After the game he told the crowd: "I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris. To my team-mates, to the staff, to the fans. It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special. I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I've been here for 10 years."
Fans applauded as Beckham was hoisted on to his team-mates' shoulders and then thrown into the air. "Beckham one more year please?" said one poster. But there may not even be one more game.
PSG's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said he felt it was unlikely that Beckham would feature against Lorient.
"We have to decide, but I don't think he will play. He will come with the team but I don't think he will play a plastic pitch is difficult for a 38-year-old," Ancelotti said, before praising Beckham's impact on world football.
"He will miss the world of football because he showed a good image every time, really professional. It was a fantastic evening for him. He will have a very good memory of this night. When you finish, when you stop, you have memories of all the years."
Ancelotti joked that Beckham should have scored.
"I spoke with David and told him in my last game I scored two goals. I said to him 'Maybe tonight you'll score two goals' but maybe he didn't have my quality!"
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic again was PSG's main figure on the field, scoring twice, this game was Beckham's moment from the start. He was given the captain's armband for the first time since joining the team on the last day of the January transfer window, and was given a rousing reception at Parc des Princes before the game, with fans breaking out into chants of "Merci, David" when his name was read out.
"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family," Beckham said, before adding that he still wants to stay involved with PSG. "It's been a very special place for me."