FRANCE: SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Beckham's retirement provokes surprise on the streets of Paris

Record ID: 860149

  • Title: FRANCE: SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Beckham's retirement provokes surprise on the streets of Paris
  • Date: 16th May 2013
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (MAY 16, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BRISTOL HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (English) PASSER-BY ADAM SAYING: "Oh! That's actually surprising, I didn't even know that yet. That's actually sad and I'm coming here visiting France and I'm actually excited to see him come out right now, and it would be a great experience and a great memory." SIGN READING: "THE BRISTOL - RESTAURANT" (SOUNDBITE) (French) PASSER-BY ALAIN SAYING: "No emotion. That's life. Things happen like that. As you get older you've got to leave the world of sport, at least in terms of being an actual sportsperson, but maybe he could continue as a coach." EXTERIOR OF BRISTOL HOTEL
  • Embargoed: 31st May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • City:
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3FGNGWNC77GFLZUHMX2ZTSXI3
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: People on the streets of Paris bid au revoir to their adopted son soccer player David Beckham after he announced his retirement on Thursday (May 16).
    The former England captain will call time on his professional soccer career at the end of the season, leaving behind his current team mates at Ligue 1 winners Paris St Germain.
    Outside the Bristol Hotel, frequented by Beckham during his stays in the French capital, passer-by Adam said he was surprised by the news and that he hoped he would see Beckham leave his favourite French digs.
    Another passer-by, Alain, took a more philosophical stance.

    "No emotion. That's life. Things happen like that. As you get older you've got to leave the world of sport, at least in terms of being an actual sportsperson, but maybe he could continue as a coach," he said.
    Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.
    He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register