Published: 25 Feb 2013 08:18 GMT+01:00 | Print version
Updated: 25 Feb 2013 08:18 GMT+01:00
David Beckham admitted his goal-producing, 15-minute Paris Saint-Germain cameo was a special moment for a footballer long written off as nothing more than an advertising man's storyboard.
The 37-year-old former England captain shivered on the Parc des Princes bench for 75 minutes on Sunday before being summoned back into the limelight where he inevitably had the final word.
A neat one-two with Jeremy Menez in injury-time allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic the chance to tuck away the goal that sealed a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Marseille which preserved PSG's three-point lead in France.
"The welcome before the match and when I came on was fantastic. To get the chance at my age to play in a great championship and in a great team, I'm very proud and happy," said the ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy man.
"It's fantastic to be amongst these super players."
Beckham, who is on a contract until the end of the season and is donating his $1 million salary to a Paris children's charity, said he had not been disappointed to have been left on the bench.
"I always knew that coming here, at my age and in the transfer window, I didn't expect to start. But that remains the objective."
Wife Victoria braved the freezing temperatures up in the stands to watch her husband, dubbed Le Spice Boy by some sections of the French media, make another debut for another club.
Her cool exterior in the dusting of snow which swept across the ground was in marked contrast to the boyish enthusiasm of her husband who even patiently gave a touchline interview, translated into French by his questioner, as he watched from the bench.
"It was a good debut. It was a very special evening for me. When you come on and it's 1-0, you know it can go either way," said Beckham, the 400th player to don PSG colours.
"If you come on and they score.....happily, it was the opposite that happened.
"I was a little nervous. I had always said that this was a huge challenge for me, so there was a little bit of pressure. But I really enjoyed tonight just as I have enjoyed the last ten days with the team.
"It was tough to get back in shape, but I feel good. It all turned out well."
PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Beckham could start Wednesday's French Cup clash at home, which will again be against Marseille.
"He came on because Marco Verratti was tired and we needed fresh players on the pitch," said Ancelotti, who took off Javier Pastore to accommodate Beckham.
"He showed quality with his passes, his experience. He showed good qualities even if it was difficult to judge in only 20 minutes."
Asked if Beckham could start against Marseille at the Parc des Princes, Ancelotti said: "Perhaps. Verratti is suspended, so maybe he will play."
Beckham has already proved a hit with his teammates.
"To play with Beckham was a real honour," said PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi. "I was a great fan of his when he plays at Manchester United."
As Carlo Ancelotti paid fulsome tribute to the retiring David Beckham the Paris Saint Germain manager revealed an announcement on his own future may be imminent. READ () »
France's disgraced former budget minister, forced out of office over a tax fraud scandal, will not seek re-election to his former parliamentary seat, a newspaper reported Sunday. READ () »
Spain's world championship leader Marc Marquez will start on pole in Sunday's French MotoGP on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans after coming out on top in Saturday's qualifying. READ () »
A man was arrested on Friday after causing a scare at the Cannes Film Festival, where he attacked a TV studio with a gun loaded with blanks and a dummy grenade, police and witnesses said. READ () »
French actor and newly-minted Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu on Saturday compared President Vladimir Putin to the late Pope John Paul II and said the ex-KGB agent is what Russia needs as a leader. READ () »
France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage Saturday after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law following months of bitter political debate. READ () »
Struggling French oyster farmers, whose haul has diminished in recent years, are set to receive some much needed help from their Swedish counterparts, by importing oyster spats from Sweden for the first time. READ () »
France's highest court the Constitutional Council cleared the divisive gay marriage bill on Friday, paving the way for same sex unions to become legal. Francois Hollande said he would sign the bill into law as soon as Saturday. READ () »
While many in the world of football raised a glass to David Beckham when he announced his retirement on Thursday, elements in the French media as well as PSG fans in Paris could not hide the fact they feel a little cheated by his minimal contribution on the pitch. READ () »
Thieves have stolen Chopard jewellery worth $1 million at Cannes Film Festival, French police reported on Friday. The jewellery was due to be loaned to film stars over the coming days. READ () »
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