David Beckham wrapped up a six-year stint in America by playing his final game in the MLS on Saturday, capping his time with the Los Angeles Galaxy with back-to-back championship titles.
The former England captain Beckham went out with a bang, not only leading the Galaxy to a 3-1 win over Houston and their fourth MLS Cup crown, but his presence has helped the league achieve unprecedented growth and newfound respect overseas.
Beckham is now set to begin a new chapter with another club in a brilliant football career that has allowed him to also win titles in his final games with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Beckham deflected questions about where his next stop would be.
“I have no idea,” Beckham said. “More important I am happy wearing this uniform today. I am happy I’ve been successful with this club.”
At 37, Beckham’s career is coming to a close but he has been careful not to mention the word retirement.
He is expected to make a decision on where he will end up playing next by the end of the year.
Sources close to the player have confirmed an approach by Monaco. He has also been linked with a possible move to Ligue 1 high-flyers Paris Saint-Germain where he would team up again with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti and team director Leonardo, whom he knows from his two previous loan stints with Milan.
There have also been offers from China, Russia and Brazil for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, who says he could not see himself playing in the Premier League for anyone other than Manchester United.
Beckham celebrated in the Galaxy dressing room with his team-mates, taking turns spraying each other with bottles of Korbell champagne.
Both happy and relieved, Beckham paused at one point during the post-match press conference, after losing his train of thought then said, “Too much champagne already.”
“At the end of the day, winning a championship in my last game at Manchester United and winning a championship in my last game with Real Madrid and then winning championship here in my last game it never gets old,” Beckham said.
“The feeling of making the final, the preparation, the feeling around the club it never gets old. I am 37 and I have been able to play in quite a few finals and championship games. I still love it like I did when I won my first.”