'Merci, David': Beckham captains Paris Saint-Germain in last home game of his long career

PARIS — With fans chanting his name, David Beckham began his final home game before retirement as captain of Paris Saint-Germain.

The 38-year-old Englishman was given a rousing reception at Parc des Princes before the French League match with Brest. Spectators broke into chants of "Merci, David" when his name was read over the stadium speaker.

Paris Saint Germain's midfielder David Beckham from England, send a kiss during a training session prior to his French League One soccer match against Brest, at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, Saturday, May 18, 2013. Paris Saint-Germain hopes to strike a deal with David Beckham in the next two weeks in which the former England captain will work with the French club after retirement, possibly in an ambassadorial role. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's players walked out to a thunderous reception, with Nirvana's "Smells like Teen Spirit" reverberating through the stadium. PSG right back Christophe Jallet dyed his hair in the blue, white and red of the French flag while the players all wore next season's team jerseys.

This was Beckham's 14th game and fifth start since joining PSG in a surprise move on the last day of the transfer window. He was appointed captain before the game.

PSG clinched the league title last weekend, making Beckham the first English player to win the championship in four countries after title success with Manchester United, Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The former England captain announced Thursday he is retiring at the end of the season. He has yet to say if he will play in PSG's last game, at Lorient on May 26.

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