David Beckham burst into floods of tears as he played his final ever game as a professional footballer in Paris this evening.
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.
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Tearful goodbye: A hugely emotional David Beckham wept as he left the pitch during his final game as a professional footballer
Heartbreak: Beckham hugs teammate Lucas before leaving the pitch at the Parc des Princes in Paris
Respect: Beckham was given a standing ovation by players from both sides and fans as he left the field
Farewell: The former England captain waves goodbye to fans after 20 years in the game
Afterparty: The celebrations began as Beckham was tossed in the air by his teammates after the game
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.'
Beckham had looked emotional before the game, waving to the crowds and blowing kisses to his fans during the warm up for his final match.
As his name was read out over the stadium's speaker system, PSG fans gave out a huge cheer and continued to chant 'Stay David, Stay' throughout the match.
Despite playing just 460 minutes of football for PSG, the massively wealthy club wanted to honour Beckham for the publicity he has brought them around the world - making him captain for one night only.
Celebration: Beckham lifts the Ligue 1 trophy with an England flag draped around his neck
Proud father: Beckham leads his sons Romeo and Cruz around the pitch in a lap of honour
Ending on a high: Beckham finished his career having won the league title with Paris St Germain
A born winner: The former England captain poses with his sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz as his retirement celebrations begin
More Beckham Pics after the cut...
Onto pastures new: Beckham walks away following the medal ceremony to start the next chapter in his life away from football
Before kick off, Beckham and his teammates wore t-shirts in tribute to the club's nutritionist Nick Broad who died in a car crash earlier this year.
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.
'We are proud to have him as our captain, even if it is for only one game,' said season ticket holder Jacques Declerc.
'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.'
Fond farewell: Victoria holds daughter Harper as they cheer on David Beckham during his final game in Paris
End of an era: The Beckhams will be hoping to spend more time as a family after David retires from football tonight
Inconsolable: A visibly upset Beckham hugged his teammates one by one before leaving the pitch
Full time: Beckham hugs the PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti as his final game comes to a close
It was initially thought Beckham would bow out in an away game next week, but he made it clear he wanted to finish his career in Paris.
Wearing a leather biker jacket and leopard print heels, Victoria was pictured hopping into a waiting limousine with the rest of the family earlier this evening.
They were then driven to the Bristol Hotel, where Beckham has been staying in a £17,000 a night suite since joining PSG in February, before heading off for the ground.
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.
Au revoir: Beckham gives the thumbs up to fans who chanted 'Stay David, Stay' during the match
Bowing out on top: Beckham celebrates with teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he scores a third goal for PSG
Popular: Beckham's name elicited a huge cheer from the stadium when it was announced before kick off
Fan favourite: A PSG supporter holds up a sign in support of David Beckham during his last game
Kiss goodbye: An emotional David Beckham waves to the crowds ahead of his final game in Paris
Decorated: Paris Saint-Germain's title triumph added to David Beckham's impressive medal collection
Last outing: Beckham will wear these boots for the clash against Brest on Saturday night
Customised: The boots feature Becks' children's names and the numbers from his shirts over the year
Support: Victoria and their four children arrive at St Pancras station this evening to travel to Paris for David's final game
Announcing his retirement on Thursday, Beckham said: '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.
'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.'
Despite such words, there have been some in France who have expressed anger as his short career with PSG.
'A funny photo, a red card and a tax scam' was the Nouvel Observateur headline, referring to a picture of Beckham falling over, to his sending off while playing for PSG against Evian, and to allegations that he went out of his way to avoid paying tax in Paris.
PSG is ultimately owned by Qatar, the oil rich Gulf state, and some feel that Beckham's move to France was ultimately aimed at cementing business contacts with their representatives.
He did not score a single goal in Paris, and was mainly used as a substitute.
Pride of Britain: Beckham won the MLS title twice during his time at Los Angeles Galaxy
King of Spain does an Italian job: Beckham left Real Madrid as a champion in 2007, while he also impressed during his time on loan at Milan (right)
Successful career: David Beckham captained England and won the treble with Man Utd during a glittering 20-year career
Celebration: Beckham on an open top bus celebrates winning the French league with his PSG team-mates. It is the fourth country in which Beckham has won a league title - a record for a British player
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