David Beckham Reveals Exactly How Lionel Messi Forced Him Into Retirement

David Beckham has revealed he decided to retire from football after playing against Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

Beckham called time on his illustrious career after half a season with French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.

He played in the Champions League against Barcelona and Beckham decided it was time to retire after Messi darted past him.

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"I probably decided to retire when Messi was running past me," the former England captain conceded per Yahoo Sports.

"Playing in the MLS in 2012 and winning the championship there and then coming to PSG and winning the French league here, it's a good way to go out."

PSG were knocked out of that year's Champions League by the Catalan giants, but Beckham admitted he still enjoyed his last taste of European football.

"We were ahead. [Messi] came on and Barcelona scored," he explained per The Sun.

"Despite my age, I enjoyed playing and the team was good in both games. We did things to be proud of. We didn't lose to them."

Beckham had only previously played against Messi during his early years in the Barcelona team, before leaving Real Madrid for LA Galaxy in 2007.

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The 44-year-old is now back in America and owns his own franchise, Inter Miami CF.

Miami are yet to make a landmark signing and Beckham was asked about the possibility of that being Messi in the future.

"Well you know what, we've got great opportunities down in Miami," the former Manchester United winger said.

"We've been contacted by a lot of different players over possibly coming to join the team.

"As with any owner, you really want the best players and if we have the opportunity to bring in players like Cristiano [Ronaldo] or Leo...

"I have such admiration for them as athletes, if we could bring those players in then great."

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On the topic of Messi and longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham believes it's Messi who edges out the debate of who is the best.

"He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him," Beckham told Argentine outlet Telam.

"He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest."

Do you agree with Beckham's pick for the better player?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Barcelona, Ligue 1, David Beckham, PSG, Lionel Messi, Champions League, La Liga

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

@DanMarland_