David Beckham is thrown into the air after his last match, with the French team also celebrating the league title (AFP/Getty Images)

The former England captain is to retire from playing

i Newspaper
 
TheIPaper
The Independent around the web
E-break Time
Independent Crossword
David Beckham

David Beckham's aides rubbish claims he will play Down Under despite Football Federation of Australia statement

David Beckham's aides rushed out a statement this morning rubbishing claims he is in talks to play Down Under.

Steven Gerrard insists there are 'still a few more chapters to be written' in his England career

Steven Gerrard insists there are “still a few more chapters to be written” with England as he prepares to win his 100th cap in tomorrow's encounter with Sweden in Stockholm.

No ulterior motive to Wilfried Zaha call-up, says Roy Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson has denied he has called up rising star Wilfried Zaha in an attempt to persuade him to shun Ivory Coast.

Steven Gerrard: A career in pictures ahead of 100th England cap

A look at some of the player’s finest moments for club and country

Mara Carlyle with Jon Snow, Purcell Room, London

London Jazz Festival

Page 3 Profile: Karl Rove, Republican strategist

Sharing in the election joy?

Page 3 Profile: Nadine Dorries, Conservative MP

Another jibe at Cameron?

Page 3 Profile: John Key, New Zealand PM

New policy?

New Zealand Prime Minister denies calling David Beckham 'thick'

New Zealand's prime minister has denied allegations that he called David Beckham “thick”.

David Beckham of LA Galaxy

David Beckham substituted in shock play-off defeat for LA Galaxy

David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat by the San Jose Earthquakes in the first leg of Major League Soccer's Western Conference playoff yesterday.

Ronaldo soaks up the glory after scoring Madrid's late winner

Cristiano Ronaldo tops 50 million 'Likes' on Facebook

As well as celebrating his 100th cap for Portugal tomorrow night, Cristiano Ronaldo can revel in becoming the first sportsman to receive over 50 million 'Likes' on Facebook.

Martin Dougan: A day of action to match thrills of the opening ceremony

You've got Usain Bolt and Jessica Ennis. Now people are even starting to realise it's OK to fancy disabled people

Katherine Jenkins denies rumours of affair with David Beckham

Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins has taken to social media to shoot down claims that she had an affair with David Beckham.

Shanaze Reade riding for Great Britain

Double heartbreak as BMX turns out to be the cruellest sport for Team GB

It has the thrills and painful spills – but for Britain BMXing is turning out to be a cruel sport. There was double heartbreak for Team GB last night as both its BMX riders failed to make the podium in the finals of what is a dangerous and compellingly fickle sport.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Independent Travel Shop See all offers »
Imperial Cities of Morocco
Seven nights half-board from only £799pp Find out more
Historic Sicily
Seven nights half-board from £799pp Find out more
4* all-inclusive Crete
Seven nights from only £399pp Find out more
Budapest city break
Three nights from only £229pp Find out more
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats
Giro d'Italia: The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

As the Giro d'Italia tackles the brutal climb, Simon Usborne takes on the snow and switchbacks – and soon realises what the fuss is about
National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

Sent down at the Old Bailey

A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal

British football scores an own goal

Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again