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Beckham's Emotional Farewell
- Telegraph, Monday, May 20, 2013 1:31 PM
In a weekend of emotional farewells, David Beckham was perhaps the most emotional. As he was withdrawn in the 82nd-minute of Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 win against Brest, the
game stopped to allow the Englishman to embrace his teammates on the field, while the crowd assembled at the Parc des Princes gave him a standing ovation. Beckham was moved to tears.
Fittingly, the former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder tallied an assist on what was most likely the final game of his career, as Blaise Matuidi bundled home a typical Beckham corner
for PSG’s second goal. After the game, coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Beckham would not play in the final game away to Lorient, as the Italian said the Stade du
Moustoir’s artificial turf would be too unforgiving for a 38-year-old with a previously torn Achilles.
"Tonight was a nice way to go out, in front of my family and in front of the
capacity crowd who were excited because we won the league," said Beckham, who was made captain for the game. He added that the emotion of the occasion started to catch up with him in the second half:
"It started 20 minutes before, the emotion started kicking in; it was hard to run, let alone kick a ball…I did feel good (physically) but I know it's the right time.”
Beckham,
who is the only English player to have won league titles in four countries -- England, Spain, the United States and France, said he would spend the next few months relaxing with his family before
deciding what to do next. Ancelotti, who will likely leave PSG for Real Madrid next season,
suggested Beckham would be a great coach: “Today, he finished as an old player. He will be perhaps a young manager,” Ancelotti said. “I’m proud of having coached a great player
and professional who gave a beautiful image to the game of soccer. I respect him.”
