Beckham unexpectedly announced his retirement, following in Sir Alex's footsteps.

Just two weeks after Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, his former favorite pupil at Manchester United, David Beckham, also announced his retirement at the end of this season, meaning Becks' tumultuous playing career will soon be counted in days.

"I thank PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue playing, but I feel it's time to end my career," Becks told the BBC.

"If, when I was a kid, you had told me that I would play football and win trophies with my favorite club, Manchester United, captain the team and represent my home country in over 100 games, and play for some of the world's top teams, I probably would have told you it was just a dream."

"But I was very lucky to make it a reality."

Beckham at his PSG unveiling earlier this year (Source: AFP)

“Nothing can replace the feeling of playing football, but I feel ready for a new journey and very excited about what lies ahead. I’ve been fortunate to be given many opportunities in my career and now I feel it’s time for me to give them back.”

A family man, a fashion icon, a friend of A-list celebrities and politicians, an idol for men, women, and the LGBTQ+ community – the 38-year-old midfielder is known for his off-field activities just as much as his trademark crosses and perfect free kicks.

Born on May 2, 1975, in Leytonstone, East London, from a humble blonde boy, Becks has now ended his career as one of the most celebrated icons in sports history and has a wife, former pop star and now fashion designer Victoria Adams.

As a young player, he turned down a move to his local club Tottenham Hotspur and instead joined Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, playing alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil-Gary Neville, and Nicky Butt.

He scored on his debut at the age of 17, and in the opening match of the 1996-97 season, Beckham scored a memorable goal against Wimbledon with a shot from midfield.

During his eight years at Old Trafford, he made a total of 398 appearances and won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and most importantly, the Champions League in 1999 – making Becks one of the most famous and wealthiest sporting figures in England.

However, his career in his homeland also had an unforgettable stain when he was cursed by the whole of England for being sent off in the crucial England-Argentina match at the 1998 World Cup.

Beckham's retaliation against Diego Simeone resulted in a direct red card, and it wasn't until 2001, with his spectacular last-minute free-kick against Greece, that he was once again considered a hero. That shot secured England's place in the 2002 World Cup, where he scored a penalty against Argentina to forget the heartbreak of four years earlier.

Beckham was also the inspiration for the hit British film "Bend It Like Beckham," about a Punjabi girl living in West London who wants to play football like Beckham despite her parents' wishes. In 2007, he caused a sensation when he moved from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy for €25 million.

In the US, Becks' fame helped bring more attention to the Major League Soccer championship, and the Galaxy won the championship twice in 2011 and 2012.

During his time in the US, Beckham was loaned to AC Milan twice before suffering a heel injury that prevented him from participating in the 2010 World Cup, ending his international appearances at 115 – a national record for a non-goalkeeper.

According to statistics from the Sunday Times, by April 2012, Beckham's net worth was approximately £190 million ($300 million). Even at an age when many players have retired, he was still sought after by numerous clubs before moving to PSG.

Although Beckham was unable to join the Great Britain team at last year's Olympics, he still played a crucial role in the Games and was the one who stood on the canoe to light the Olympic torch on opening night, witnessed by millions worldwide.

In January of this year, Beckham signed a five-month contract with the Parc des Princes club and made a modest contribution to their Ligue 1 championship win. All of Beckham's salary will be donated to a charity, a fitting end to the career of one of the most famous players in world football history.

With his Ligue 1 title win last weekend, Beckham has amassed a total of 19 career titles – 10 of which are national championships – across 20 years of playing. He is also the only English player to have won league titles in four different countries.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT