End it like Beckham. One of the most iconic football stars of his generation, David Beckham is to retire at the end of the season to bring down the curtain on a glittering career. As well as winning over 100 caps for his England and lifting 19 trophies in two different continents, it was his ability to maximize the power of the "Beckham brand" that allowed the footballer to transcend his sport and appeal to a worldwide mass audience. Beckham's marriage to former Spice Girl and fashion designer, Victoria, probably helped as well. "Brand Beckham is dead, long live Brand Beckham!" sports business expert Simon Chadwick told CNN. "Beckham's transition from athlete commodity to sporting statesman and entrepreneur is now complete."
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Former England captain David Beckham retires from football
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The midfielder played 115 times for his country between 1996 and 2009
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Beckham played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and LA Galaxy
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The 38-year-old most recently played for French champions Paris Saint-Germain
"I owe everything to @placeholder and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period."
"If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club @placeholder, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy," said Beckham.
"I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country," said Beckham, who won 115 caps for @placeholder.