Matt Oldfield - Beckham (Classic Football Heroes--Limited International Edition)

18 May 2013 Paris, France

This was it. After twenty amazing years, Davids life as a professional footballer was about to end. He had always known that his final match would be emotional, but he was holding back the tears before the game had even kicked off.

Am I doing the right thing? David asked himself.

He was thirty-eight years old now and his tired body was telling him to stop. His head, however, was telling him to keep doing what he loved, and so were the PSG fans in the Parc des Princes stadium.

Beckham, one more year please! one of their banners read.

But no, he wanted to quit while he was still at the top of his game, while he could still help his team.

During his career, David had played with so many superstars. He listed them in his head:

Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes

at Manchester United

Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Wayne

Rooney with England

Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Zinedine Zidane

and Lus Figo at Real Madrid

Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane

at LA Galaxy

Paolo Maldini, Ronaldinho and Kak

at AC Milan

and now Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG. What a list! It was a great honour to be able to call them friends, as well as teammates. They had all inspired David to keep striving for improvement and perfection. Like them, he was always a winner.

Are you ready, Becks? Zlatan said, giving him a high-five.

Ready as Ill ever be, David smiled back, fixing the armband on his sleeve. The PSG manager, Carlo Ancelotti, had made him the captain for the final home match of the season against Brest.

Davids family was there watching in the Parc des Princes stadium, and the names of his children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper were stitched into his special white, red and blue Adidas boots. His children meant so much to him, and so did his wife, Victoria.

Next to their names were his shirt numbers 7 for Manchester United and England, 23 for Real Madrid and LA Galaxy, and 32 for AC Milan and PSG.

And next to his shirt numbers was the Union Jack flag. No matter where David played Spain, America, Italy or France he was always proud to be English.

Right, lets do this! David shouted to his teammates.

PSG were 10 up after four minutes thanks to another Zlatan goal. It was party time for the Champions of France but what could David do to celebrate his big day? Could his remarkable right foot create one last bit of magic?

Ever since he was a young boy, David had worked so hard to make the most of his talent. He had an unusual technique for striking the ball, but hours of practice made perfect. When it came to long-range shots, long-range passes, free kicks and corners, he was the best in the business.

After thirty minutes, PSG won a corner. As David walked over to take it, he slowed down to enjoy the feeling of being so close to the fans. No matter what team he played for, the fans noise and passion always left him buzzing. It had inspired him so many times over the years. David remembered his two late corners in the 1999 Champions League final, when Manchester United fought back to complete the Treble. What a night!

Football was never over until the final whistle blew thats what his old Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had taught him. David chipped a teasing cross towards the penalty spot. It was another dangerous delivery, but could someone get on the end of it? His midfield partner Blaise Matuidi could. He hit it on the volley and scored. 20!

Thanks, youre the best teammate ever! he screamed.

David was pleased to get one last assist, but could he get one last goal? He hadnt yet scored for PSG but there was still time to say goodbye in style.

When his team won a free kick, the fans urged him to take it. But David was a team player, not a greedy player. It was Zlatans turn to strike it. Just do me proud! David told him.

Yes, captain. The Swedish striker bent the ball around the wall and into the top corner. 30!

Beckham, eat your heart out! Zlatan laughed as they celebrated together.

With ten minutes to go, it was finally time for David to leave the field for good. He had given his all, just like always. He took a deep breath and tried not to cry, but it was no use. As his teammates came over to hug him one by one, tears filled his eyes. By the time he reached his manager Ancelotti on the touchline, the tears were streaming down his face.

Its a historic moment, a voice boomed around the stadium. DAVID

BECKHAM! the fans roared.

Merci, David! they chanted.

David Beckham! David Beckham! David Beckham!

After the match, David walked around the pitch, clapping to the crowd. He had only been at PSG for five months, but it really felt like home. His teammates threw him high into the air, once, twice and a third time for luck.

Well miss you, Becks! they shouted.

David was going to miss them too. He was going to miss playing football so much. Ever since his first kick, football had been his focus, his life. It was hard to believe that his incredible playing career was over. His adventure had taken him from London to Paris, via Manchester, Madrid, Los Angeles, Milan and so many other exciting places.

Through hard work and dedication, he had risen through the ranks at his beloved Manchester United to become one of the most famous footballers on the planet. Although his cabinet was already full to the brim, David had one last trophy to collect the Ligue 1 title.

I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris - to my teammates, to the staff, to the fans, he spoke into the microphone, wearing an England flag like a cape. Its been very special to finish my career here. I feel Ive achieved everything I could. I wanted to go out as a champion and I have.

At club level, David had won the league in four different countries England, Spain, the USA, and now France. He was the only Englishman to ever achieve that and he had also won the Champions League and the FA Cup.