'Basically, he's everyone's idol' – Football world hails Beckham

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder revealed on Thursday that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season

It seems like only yesterday that David Beckham burst onto football’s global conscience, but 20 years on from making his Manchester United debut ‘goldenballs’ has announced his retirement from the game.

With his Hollywood good looks and ability to conjure up a moment of magic from dead ball situations, the 38-year-old has become an icon in modern football and a global ambassador for the sport.

Of course there was that petulant kick in the white of England against Argentina and the infamous boot to the face – courtesy of Alex Ferguson’s right foot – that ultimately brought an end to his United career, but those incidents have been rare blots on a near-spotless copy book.

After spells with Preston North End, Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham will bring the curtain down down on his playing days against Lorient on May 25.

The midfielder’s decision to retire this summer has not gone unnoticed across the footballing world and Goal rounds up the reactions of some of the game’s biggest names.







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