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David Beckham is retiring from soccer, ending a career in which he became a global superstar who transcended the sport. He burst into floods of tears as he played his final ever game as a professional footballer in Paris.

The 38-year-old was given the honour of captaining Paris St Germain during their final home game of the season against Brest and paid an emotional farewell as he brought the curtain down on a career spanning more than 20 years.

With his wife Victoria and their four children Romeo, Brooklyn, Cruz and Harper, watching from the stand, Beckham was given a standing ovation by players and fans from both sides as he left the pitch to be substituted in the second half.

A visibly upset Beckham was inconsolable as he left the field on 81 minutes.

The game came to an impromptu halt as PSG players surrounded him and hugged the former England captain by one before he walked off.

Addressing PSG fans after collecting a winners medal, Beckham said: “I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris— to my team-mates, to the staff, to the fans.

“It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special.

“I just feel that it's the right time [to retire]. I feel that I've achieved everything that I could in my career. I wanted to go out as a champion. I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I’ve been here for 10 years.

“After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family.”

In his final outing , the midfielder enjoyed a fine game, spraying some of his trademark 50-yard passes around the pitch before assisting a goal from a corner as PSG went 3-0 up before half time.

The team, who have already been crowned champions of Ligue 1, won the game 3-1.

After the game Beckham was tossed in the air by his teammates in the centre of the pitch as the retirement celebrations began.

“Yes, it is unusual for somebody to be honoured in this way after only being at the club for a few months, but that's the nature of modern football. ”

Beckham started his career with Manchester United and also played for Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning titles with all those clubs.

Beckham has paid tribute to his former teams, his nationality, and his children by wearing a personalised pair of Adidas Predator boots.

Beckham, capped 115 times for England and the man who helped London secure the 2012 Olympics, chose the colours red, white and blue to represent the Union Jack, with the flag embossed on the heel.

As well as his children's names, the boots are also emblazoned with the significant numbers from his playing career with Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy: 7, 23 and 32.

“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.

“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 one hundred 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.”

Beckham, whose forays into fashion and marriage to a pop star wife have made him a riveting international celebrity. Beckham is now living in London with his wife Victoria, a former Spice Girls” singer, and their four children.

Beckham had already started planning for his post-playing career earlier in the season, becoming an ambassador for Chinese soccer.

“Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, however I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead,'' Beckham said. "I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back. ”