Paris St Germain's David Beckham reacts during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, April 2, 2013.
Beckham Ending Pro Soccer Career
One of the most well-known and beloved soccer players in the world, David Beckham, is retiring at age 38.
After playing six season's with U.S. Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, the former England captain has been with France's Paris Saint-Germain this season, where he won a league title in a fourth country.
Beckham also won championships with his boyhood club Manchester United, Spain's Real Madrid and the LA Galaxy, where he won two titles.
The midfielder holds the England record for most international appearances with 115. He made his professional debut with Manchester United at age 14 and his first appearance for his national team in 1996 at age 21.
Considered a great ambassador for the sport, Beckham brought his talent to the United States in 2007, getting what was a staggering fee for an MLS player of $32.5 million for five years.
At the time, Beckham said he did not want to play in the United States just "to get the money." He wanted a "new challenge of growing the world's most popular game."
And after he signed the huge deal, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said "David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America."
When Beckham joined MLS six years ago, the league had 13 teams. It now has 19, including three based in Canada.
