(Reuters) – Alex Ferguson bowed out of management on Sunday with a smile, a wave and a bucketful of goals in his 1,500th Manchester United game but without the victory he had so wanted.

The 71-year-old Scot entered retirement having watched his Premier League champions draw 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the season having led 5-2 with 11 minutes to go.

Before the game he had spoken of his desire to go out on a high after more than 26 years in the job but he was not really referring to the type of score.

“The gaffer is certainly going to remember his last match in charge! He is going to remember this game. It’s probably the first time United have been 5-2 ahead and not won,” striker Javier Hernandez told the BBC.

United had raced to a three-goal lead in the first half hour thanks to Shinji Kagawa, a Jonas Olsson own goal and Alexander Buttner but West Brom pulled one back through James Morrison just before the break.

The hosts got another five minutes into the second half courtesy of Romelu Lukaku before United re-established their three-goal lead with goals from Robin van Persie and Hernandez.

But West Brom were not done and struck three times in quick succession towards the end of the game, with Lukaku completing his hat-trick and Youssouf Mulumbu also scoring, to pull off the unlikely scoreline.

“5-5 …. what a mad result! Let’s be honest the boss was never going out with a boring 0-0!!” United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter.

Ferguson, who was greeted by a guard of honour from both teams before kickoff, chose not to conduct any post-match interviews but before leaving the pitch raised his arms to fans and took a bow.

“The gaffer has put the club on the top and we’re going to miss him,” Hernandez said on a day when United were also bidding farewell to midfielder Paul Scholes who was hanging up his boots.

“I can’t remember playing in a match with 10 goals. We’re a little bit frustrated because we wanted to win it for the gaffer and Scholesy.”

MOVE ON

United were not the only club saying their goodbyes as Ferguson’s successor David Moyes took charge of his final game at Everton.

Like Ferguson, he did not end his time on a winning note, losing 2-1 at Chelsea, and like Ferguson he will be sorely missed by a club he has been a long servant of.

“It’s emotional because it’s the last time I walk away from the players but part of the job is you move on,” Moyes said.

“It’s rare to stay in a job for 11 years so I’m thankful for getting that opportunity and hopeful they’re in a strong position to push on. It’s really not sunk in.”

His opposite number in Sunday’s game, Rafa Benitez, was also at the helm of his club for the final time although he will not be missed quite so much by fans despite leading them to a third-place finish and victory in the Europa League.

An unpopular figure since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in November, the Spaniard has enjoyed a slight mellowing in fans’ attitudes of late and there were even some banners declaring “Thanks Rafa” and “We forgive you”.

Banners were the order of the day at the Etihad Stadium too where fans held up messages of thanks to Roberto Mancini, who was sacked as manager on Monday.

“It’s been an emotional week with the events at the club,” caretaker manager Brian Kidd said after City’s 3-2 defeat by Norwich City. “I understand the cheers for the boss – he would have been disappointed if there wasn’t for what he did here.”

Emotions also ran high at Anfield, where defender Jamie Carragher was making his final appearance before retirement.

“I’m not the type to get too emotional but it is emotional,” Carragher, who received a deafening ovation when substituted late on in their 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

“I’ve got my friends and family in the stands but I just wanted to concentrate on the game. We got the win that we wanted and I can go and enjoy myself now.”

His former Liverpool team mate Michael Owen also played the last match of his career in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

(Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

The 71-year-old Scot entered retirement having watched his Premier League champions draw 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the season having led 5-2 with 11 minutes to go.

Before the game he had spoken of his desire to go out on a high after more than 26 years in the job but he was not really referring to the type of score.

“The gaffer is certainly going to remember his last match in charge! He is going to remember this game. It’s probably the first time United have been 5-2 ahead and not won,” striker Javier Hernandez told the BBC.

United had raced to a three-goal lead in the first half hour thanks to Shinji Kagawa, a Jonas Olsson own goal and Alexander Buttner but West Brom pulled one back through James Morrison just before the break.

The hosts got another five minutes into the second half courtesy of Romelu Lukaku before United re-established their three-goal lead with goals from Robin van Persie and Hernandez.

But West Brom were not done and struck three times in quick succession towards the end of the game, with Lukaku completing his hat-trick and Youssouf Mulumbu also scoring, to pull off the unlikely scoreline.

“5-5 …. what a mad result! Let’s be honest the boss was never going out with a boring 0-0!!” United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter.

Ferguson, who was greeted by a guard of honour from both teams before kickoff, chose not to conduct any post-match interviews but before leaving the pitch raised his arms to fans and took a bow.

“The gaffer has put the club on the top and we’re going to miss him,” Hernandez said on a day when United were also bidding farewell to midfielder Paul Scholes who was hanging up his boots.

“I can’t remember playing in a match with 10 goals. We’re a little bit frustrated because we wanted to win it for the gaffer and Scholesy.”

MOVE ON

United were not the only club saying their goodbyes as Ferguson’s successor David Moyes took charge of his final game at Everton.

Like Ferguson, he did not end his time on a winning note, losing 2-1 at Chelsea, and like Ferguson he will be sorely missed by a club he has been a long servant of.

“It’s emotional because it’s the last time I walk away from the players but part of the job is you move on,” Moyes said.

“It’s rare to stay in a job for 11 years so I’m thankful for getting that opportunity and hopeful they’re in a strong position to push on. It’s really not sunk in.”

His opposite number in Sunday’s game, Rafa Benitez, was also at the helm of his club for the final time although he will not be missed quite so much by fans despite leading them to a third-place finish and victory in the Europa League.

An unpopular figure since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in November, the Spaniard has enjoyed a slight mellowing in fans’ attitudes of late and there were even some banners declaring “Thanks Rafa” and “We forgive you”.

Banners were the order of the day at the Etihad Stadium too where fans held up messages of thanks to Roberto Mancini, who was sacked as manager on Monday.

“It’s been an emotional week with the events at the club,” caretaker manager Brian Kidd said after City’s 3-2 defeat by Norwich City. “I understand the cheers for the boss – he would have been disappointed if there wasn’t for what he did here.”

Emotions also ran high at Anfield, where defender Jamie Carragher was making his final appearance before retirement.

“I’m not the type to get too emotional but it is emotional,” Carragher, who received a deafening ovation when substituted late on in their 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

“I’ve got my friends and family in the stands but I just wanted to concentrate on the game. We got the win that we wanted and I can go and enjoy myself now.”

His former Liverpool team mate Michael Owen also played the last match of his career in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with Southampton. (Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Two months ago it had looked as if Spurs would finally turn the tables on their north London foes when they beat them in the derby to establish a seven-point lead.

However, despite Gareth Bale’s superb winner in a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on the last day of the season, they could only finish fifth as Arsenal secured fourth with one point more after a less than assured 1-0 win at Newcastle United.

“It’s devastating. It’s really hard to take,” Spurs captain Michael Dawson told Sky Sports.

“We’ve got 72 points, the highest total the club’s ever got and we still miss out on the Champions League … it’s hard to take. It’s a hard day. It’s not a good day.”

Bad luck seems to follow Tottenham around in their pursuit of a place in Europe’s elite club competition and Arsenal have a habit of capitalising.

Last year they were edged to third placed by Arsenal and while Tottenham’s fourth-place finish would normally be enough for a Champions League place, on this occasion it was not as sixth-placed Chelsea took the final place as European champions.

Seven years ago, Tottenham needed to win against West Ham United to secure fourth place but most of the team came down with food poisoning the night before the game. They lost and Arsenal overtook them to clinch the coveted European spot.

They were again ruing their misfortune on Sunday after two decent penalty shouts were turned down in their game against Sunderland.

Winger Bale was shown a yellow card for diving midway through the first half when television replays suggested Seb Larsson’s foul on him could have resulted in a Spurs spot kick.

Referee Andre Marriner then also turned down appeals for a penalty after a second-half handball by Carlos Cuellar.

“(It is) very, very disappointing because a penalty doesn’t just change the running of this game, it changes the running of the other game (Arsenal game) too … extremely disappointing,” Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas told Sky Sports.

“It is difficult to take, in the end we did what we had to but Arsenal did their job well and go through. It is difficult at this moment.”

BEST ASSETS

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who faced many questions over his future at the club during the season, was delighted to have turned the season around and secured a 16th successive Champions League qualification.

“I’m proud of the character displayed and all we had to deal with during the season. These players are special I told them many times, they showed it in the last two months they have been absolutely exceptional,” Wenger told Sky Sports.

“I’m very proud that we were very far behind Tottenham after the defeat there (in March), everybody ruled us out, we have shown attitude and character to come back.”

While Arsenal got the three points they needed, it was a nervy performance at Newcastle where the hosts looked the better side in the first half before Laurent Koscielny’s 52nd-minute goal snatched the win.

With the dust barely settled on the season, the rivals started looking ahead to next term.

“We want to have additions to the squad (over the summer) but keep first the structure and spirit of the team we have now,” Wenger said.

“But, let’s not forget, there are many clubs who have big money and there’s maybe not enough talent to strengthen all the teams who have money.”

Rather than buying, Tottenham’s main focus might be keeping hold of Bale, whose 89th-minute long-range strike on Sunday was the latest addition to his collection of brilliant goals.

Villas-Boas did not think they would have a problem ensuring the Welshman stayed despite not being able to offer him Champions League action.

“It’s been an ongoing question but I think it’s absolutely fine,” he said.

“We have to keep our ambitions high, hold on to the best players, the reference to the points tally, so for us to make it better in the future we need to hold on to the best assets.” (Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

(Reuters) – Arsenal claimed the final Champions League spot at the expense of their arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the Premier League season on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Newcastle United.

Defender Laurent Koscielny put visitors Arsenal ahead in the 52nd minute to secure fourth place with 73 points, one point ahead of fifth-placed Spurs who mustered a late goal from Gareth Bale to beat Sunderland 1-0 at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea sealed third place on 75 points with a 2-1 win at home to Everton.

Manchester United had already been crowned champions and their attention was on giving retiring manager Alex Ferguson a send-off to remember but as the goals rained in they could not give him a win as they drew 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion.

Last year’s champions Manchester City finished 11 points behind United in second after a 3-2 defeat at home to Norwich City.

With first and second place decided some time ago and all three relegation spots already determined, the burning issue of the day centred on who would grab the final top-four place.

Discounting the highly improbable mathematical possibilities, it boiled down to a battle between north London’s big foes Arsenal and Tottenham.

Arsene Wenger’s side had the advantage before kickoff, with a one-point lead and the knowledge that as long as they won at Newcastle, the Champions League place was theirs.

They were facing a Newcastle side who were no longer troubled by relegation fears after securing their top-flight status and that lack of pressure translated into a troublesome first half for Arsenal as the hosts enjoyed the better chances.

Arsenal came out for the second half with a bit more spark and seven minutes into it finally got the goal they craved as Theo Walcott’s free kick was headed on by Per Mertesacker and Koscielny stayed on side to prod the ball home.

Walcott hit the post in stoppage time as Arsenal ended a nervy game on top and completed a turnaround since trailing Spurs by seven points in March after losing the north London derby.

“We are happy, it’s very important for the club to play Champions League next year,” Koscielny told Sky Sports.

At White Hart Lane, Spurs had more urgency about them from the outset than Arsenal but were left questioning referee Andre Marriner’s decision to book Bale for diving.

Bale, who has picked up a series of player of the year accolades this year, was shown the yellow card midway through the first half although television replays showed Seb Larsson’s foul could have led to a valuable Spurs penalty instead.

With news filtering through that Arsenal had gone ahead in their game, Andre Villas-Boas’ side continued to press for an opener with Michael Dawson, Bale, Scott Parker and Aaron Lennon among those going close.

They were given some hope with 15 minutes to go when Sunderland’s David Vaughan was set off after a second yellow and finally made the man advantage count as Bale curled in a stunning goal on 89 minutes.

But it was not enough for Spurs who missed out on Europe’s elite club competition for the second year running. Spurs finished fourth last season behind Wenger’s side but they were denied a Champions League berth because sixth-placed Chelsea took the final spot as European champions.

(Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Defender Laurent Koscielny put visitors Arsenal ahead in the 52nd minute to secure fourth place with 73 points, one point ahead of fifth-placed Spurs who mustered a late goal from Gareth Bale to beat Sunderland 1-0 at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea sealed third place on 75 points with a 2-1 win at home to Everton.

Manchester United had already been crowned champions and their attention was on giving retiring manager Alex Ferguson a send-off to remember but as the goals rained in they could not give him a win as they drew 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion.

Last year’s champions Manchester City finished 11 points behind United in second after a 3-2 defeat at home to Norwich City.

With first and second place decided some time ago and all three relegation spots already determined, the burning issue of the day centred on who would grab the final top-four place.

Discounting the highly improbable mathematical possibilities, it boiled down to a battle between north London’s big foes Arsenal and Tottenham.

Arsene Wenger’s side had the advantage before kickoff, with a one-point lead and the knowledge that as long as they won at Newcastle, the Champions League place was theirs.

They were facing a Newcastle side who were no longer troubled by relegation fears after securing their top-flight status and that lack of pressure translated into a troublesome first half for Arsenal as the hosts enjoyed the better chances.

Arsenal came out for the second half with a bit more spark and seven minutes into it finally got the goal they craved as Theo Walcott’s free kick was headed on by Per Mertesacker and Koscielny stayed on side to prod the ball home.

Walcott hit the post in stoppage time as Arsenal ended a nervy game on top and completed a turnaround since trailing Spurs by seven points in March after losing the north London derby.

“We are happy, it’s very important for the club to play Champions League next year,” Koscielny told Sky Sports.

At White Hart Lane, Spurs had more urgency about them from the outset than Arsenal but were left questioning referee Andre Marriner’s decision to book Bale for diving.

Bale, who has picked up a series of player of the year accolades this year, was shown the yellow card midway through the first half although television replays showed Seb Larsson’s foul could have led to a valuable Spurs penalty instead.

With news filtering through that Arsenal had gone ahead in their game, Andre Villas-Boas’ side continued to press for an opener with Michael Dawson, Bale, Scott Parker and Aaron Lennon among those going close.

They were given some hope with 15 minutes to go when Sunderland’s David Vaughan was set off after a second yellow and finally made the man advantage count as Bale curled in a stunning goal on 89 minutes.

But it was not enough for Spurs who missed out on Europe’s elite club competition for the second year running. Spurs finished fourth last season behind Wenger’s side but they were denied a Champions League berth because sixth-placed Chelsea took the final spot as European champions. (Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

The 71-year-old Scot takes charge of his 1,500th and final United game at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday before stepping down after more than 26 years at Old Trafford.

He might have had 10 hours’ sleep for the first time ever on Monday night after a huge celebratory open-top bus parade through Manchester to mark his 13th and the club’s 20th top-flight title but rest is not on his agenda.

“I don’t think I’m going to be that way, I’m driven to take on some challenges and some other things right away,” he told his final pre-match news conference where he entered to applause from reporters who have not always enjoyed the easiest relationship with him.

“I’ve got a league managers’ meeting on Monday, I’m going to Newmarket (races) on Tuesday and Wednesday … it’s the Derby (at Epsom) on June 1, I’m going on holiday for a month, then I’m having the (hip) operation, then I’ve got the recuperation, then the season starts so we’re OK.”

Ferguson is staying on at the club as a director and has hand-picked his successor in Everton manager David Moyes and few people would imagine him sitting quietly upstairs when the new season gets underway.

He took time to consider what had changed in the 39 years he has managed in a career that has taken him from East Stirlingshire to St Mirren to Aberdeen before his appointment at United in 1986.

“Thirty nine years as a manager, 1974 – going from that day (when I had) eight players, no goalkeeper to today – six goalkeepers, 100 players,” he said.

“Change is inevitable, you have to manage that,” he added. There have been big changes in this club in terms of number of staff, sports science, modern technology has come into it.

“When I started as a manager there were no agents, media was different then too … the changes are all there … but I don’t think I’ve changed much.”

WINNING NOTE

United wrapped up the Premier League title last month with four games to spare and have been basking in the glory ever since with celebrations on the pitch after Sunday’s final home game against Swansea City, parties and a bus parade.

“I got home that night (after Monday’s parade) and I got 10 hours’ sleep – the first time in my life that I’ve had 10 hours’ sleep,” Ferguson, who has a reputation as a workaholic and is always the first to arrive at the training ground, said.

“(Wife) Cathy kept making sounds round about me, I think she was just checking to see if I was alive.”

United are 10 points clear of second-placed Manchester City and guaranteed to win the title by at least seven points even if they lose at West Brom.

Ferguson, however, will want to go out on a winning note on Sunday when he will make some changes to his team to give some of his youngsters a chance to play.

“1,500 matches – quite incredible. Every team wants to win their last home game, that’s a fact of life and also I want to win this one more than last week’s even,” he said.

“Twenty six years at Manchester United is fantastic … the day I came here was a privilege and day I’ve left will be an honor. I’m lucky to have been here that long.”

(Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Justin Palmer)

The 71-year-old Scot takes charge of his 1,500th and final United game at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday before stepping down after more than 26 years at Old Trafford.

He might have had 10 hours’ sleep for the first time ever on Monday night after a huge celebratory open-top bus parade through Manchester to mark his 13th and the club’s 20th top-flight title but rest is not on his agenda.

“I don’t think I’m going to be that way, I’m driven to take on some challenges and some other things right away,” he told his final pre-match news conference where he entered to applause from reporters who have not always enjoyed the easiest relationship with him.

“I’ve got a league managers’ meeting on Monday, I’m going to Newmarket (races) on Tuesday and Wednesday … it’s the Derby (at Epsom) on June 1, I’m going on holiday for a month, then I’m having the (hip) operation, then I’ve got the recuperation, then the season starts so we’re OK.”

Ferguson is staying on at the club as a director and has hand-picked his successor in Everton manager David Moyes and few people would imagine him sitting quietly upstairs when the new season gets underway.

He took time to consider what had changed in the 39 years he has managed in a career that has taken him from East Stirlingshire to St Mirren to Aberdeen before his appointment at United in 1986.

“Thirty nine years as a manager, 1974 – going from that day (when I had) eight players, no goalkeeper to today – six goalkeepers, 100 players,” he said.

“Change is inevitable, you have to manage that,” he added. There have been big changes in this club in terms of number of staff, sports science, modern technology has come into it.

“When I started as a manager there were no agents, media was different then too … the changes are all there … but I don’t think I’ve changed much.”

WINNING NOTE

United wrapped up the Premier League title last month with four games to spare and have been basking in the glory ever since with celebrations on the pitch after Sunday’s final home game against Swansea City, parties and a bus parade.

“I got home that night (after Monday’s parade) and I got 10 hours’ sleep – the first time in my life that I’ve had 10 hours’ sleep,” Ferguson, who has a reputation as a workaholic and is always the first to arrive at the training ground, said.

“(Wife) Cathy kept making sounds round about me, I think she was just checking to see if I was alive.”

United are 10 points clear of second-placed Manchester City and guaranteed to win the title by at least seven points even if they lose at West Brom.

Ferguson, however, will want to go out on a winning note on Sunday when he will make some changes to his team to give some of his youngsters a chance to play.

“1,500 matches – quite incredible. Every team wants to win their last home game, that’s a fact of life and also I want to win this one more than last week’s even,” he said.

“Twenty six years at Manchester United is fantastic … the day I came here was a privilege and day I’ve left will be an honour. I’m lucky to have been here that long.” (Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Justin Palmer)

The 38-year-old former England captain, who this month helped Paris St Germain to the French league title to add to titles won in England, Spain and the United States, will hang up his boots at the end of this season.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” the midfielder said in a statement.

“I want to thank all my team mates, 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.”

Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.

He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.

The London-born Beckham started his career at Manchester United, the club he supported as a boy, making his first team appearance at the age of 17 in 1992.

His trade-mark free kicks and pin-point crosses established him as a key player, while his good looks made him a pin-up for teenage girls and later his marriage to former Spice Girls band member Victoria Adams established him as an off-field celebrity.

While his commercial appeal kept growing and his friendships with Hollywood A listers grew, his main passion of soccer – and in particular England – held firm.

“To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country,” Beckham said.

“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. I’m honored to represent England both on and off the pitch.

DREAMS REALISED

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realized those dreams,” said Beckham.

After a decade at Old Trafford, where he won six Premier League titles, he left for a four-year spell at Real Madrid where he won La Liga in his final season.

He then crossed the Atlantic in 2007 to become the biggest name soccer import in the United States, joining LA Galaxy with a mission to raise the profile of the sport in the country.

He won the MLS championship twice with the Galaxy before moving to Paris in January for what turned out to be his last hurrah.

There he demonstrated one of his other sides as his salary was paid to a children’s charity in the French capital.

Away from soccer, underwear modeling and ambassadorial roles, Beckham is known as a family man and thanked those closest to him for what they had done for him.

“I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family,” he said.

“I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realize my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period.”

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin and Sonia Oxley; editing by Pritha Sarkar)

The 38-year-old former England captain, who this month helped Paris St Germain to the French league title to add to titles won in England, Spain and the United States, will hang up his boots at the end of this season.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” the midfielder said in a statement.

“I want to thank all my team mates, 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.”

Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.

He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.

The London-born Beckham started his career at Manchester United, the club he supported as a boy, making his first team appearance at the age of 17 in 1992.

His trade-mark free kicks and pin-point crosses established him as a key player, while his good looks made him a pin-up for teenage girls and later his marriage to former Spice Girls band member Victoria Adams established him as an off-field celebrity.

While his commercial appeal kept growing and his friendships with Hollywood A listers grew, his main passion of soccer – and in particular England – held firm.

“To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country,” Beckham said.

“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. I’m honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch.

DREAMS REALISED

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams,” said Beckham.

After a decade at Old Trafford, where he won six Premier League titles, he left for a four-year spell at Real Madrid where he won La Liga in his final season.

He then crossed the Atlantic in 2007 to become the biggest name soccer import in the United States, joining LA Galaxy with a mission to raise the profile of the sport in the country.

He won the MLS championship twice with the Galaxy before moving to Paris in January for what turned out to be his last hurrah.

There he demonstrated one of his other sides as his salary was paid to a children’s charity in the French capital.

Away from soccer, underwear modelling and ambassadorial roles, Beckham is known as a family man and thanked those closest to him for what they had done for him.

“I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family,” he said.

“I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realise my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period.”

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin and Sonia Oxley; editing by Pritha Sarkar)

The 38-year-old former England captain, who this month helped Paris St Germain to the French league title to add to titles won in England, Spain and the United States, will hang up his boots at the end of this season.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” the midfielder said in a statement.

“I want to thank all my team mates, 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.”

Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.

He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.

The London-born Beckham started his career at Manchester United, the club he supported as a boy, making his first team appearance at the age of 17 in 1992.

His trade-mark free kicks and pin-point crosses established him as a key player, while his good looks made him a pin-up for teenage girls and later his marriage to former Spice Girls band member Victoria Adams established him as an off-field celebrity.

While his commercial appeal kept growing and his friendships with Hollywood A listers grew, his main passion of soccer – and in particular England – held firm.

“To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country,” Beckham said.

“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. I’m honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch.

DREAMS REALISED

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams,” said Beckham.

After a decade at Old Trafford, where he won six Premier League titles, he left for a four-year spell at Real Madrid where he won La Liga in his final season.

He then crossed the Atlantic in 2007 to become the biggest name soccer import in the United States, joining LA Galaxy with a mission to raise the profile of the sport in the country.

He won the MLS championship twice with the Galaxy before moving to Paris in January for what turned out to be his last hurrah.

There he demonstrated one of his other sides as his salary was paid to a children’s charity in the French capital.

Away from soccer, underwear modelling and ambassadorial roles, Beckham is known as a family man and thanked those closest to him for what they had done for him.

“I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family,” he said.

“I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realise my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period.” (Reporting by Alan Baldwin and Sonia Oxley; editing by Pritha Sarkar)