Beckham breaks down at last home game

PARIS — Never a stranger to the big stage, David Beckham was finally overwhelmed and reduced to tears as he went out in a burst of fireworks and cheers Saturday in his final home game for Paris Saint-Germain before retirement.

Fans chanted his name before the game, and they chanted some more when he was finished. There was an outpouring of hugs, cheers, song and congratulations — from teammates, opponents and even former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

"To end my career in front of a crowd like that, with players like that, it's very special," Beckham said, adding that emotions had already started overpowering him before he was taken off.

"It started about 20 minutes before that, to be honest. I started thinking and then, you know, I couldn't concentrate by then, and it was difficult," he said. "You know, you try to hold the emotion back because it is what it is, but it's difficult."

There also was some soccer to be played. And Beckham, appointed captain for the game, was involved in two of his team's goals in a 3-1 victory over Brest.

He drew a roaring standing ovation and wiped away tears when he left in the 81st minute. As the match drew to a close, Beckham appeared to tire, putting his hands on his thighs as he leaned forward.

"I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris. To my teammates, to the staff, to the fans," Beckham told the fans after the game. "It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special."

One after another, the players then walked out onto a makeshift podium in the middle of the field and thanked the crowd after the game had ended.

When it was Beckham's turn to climb onto the podium, the Beatles song 'Hello, Goodbye' rang out as the stadium's big screen beamed pictures of Beckham's short PSG career and flashed another message of thanks.

Draped in the English flag, Beckham sprinted onto the stage.

"Merci, Paris," he said. "I'm very sad to be leaving, but thank you."

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Beckham's impact on world football.

"He will miss the world of football because he showed a good image every time, really professional," Ancelotti said. "I think that he is sure that this decision was the right moment and we have to respect this. It was a fantastic evening for him. He will have a very good memory of this night."

When Beckham had gone off, the crowd, which included Sarkozy, rose as one and players trotted over to give him a hug. The players from Brest also understood the moment. Charlison Benschop, who had scored Brest's consolation goal a minute earlier, walked over to shake his hand.

With chants of "Dav-eed Beckham, Dav-eed Beckham" echoing, Beckham looked to be on the verge of tears. He applauded the crowd and blew a kiss to his family in the stands. There was time for one more hug — this one a bit longer from coach Carlo Ancelotti — before he sat on the bench, maybe for the last time.

"I spoke with David and told him that in my last (ever) game I scored two goals," Ancelotti joked. "I said to him 'Maybe tonight you'll score two goals' — but maybe he didn't have my quality."

The former England captain announced Thursday he is retiring at the end of the season. Ancelotti added that it is unlikely Beckham will play in the final game of the season, away to Lorient on May 26, but that this has not been decided yet.

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

Beckham has yet to say if he will play in PSG's last game, at Lorient on May 26.

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