David Beckham on Thursday announced he will retire from football at the end of the season. Here we look at five of the Paris Saint Germain midfielder's best goals during his illustrious career.
Wimbledon v Manchester United, August 1996
The moment that Beckham really announced his arrival as a major talent came in the unglamourous surroundings of Selhurst Park with the most spectacular goal of his career.
Taking possession just inside his own half during the closing seconds of United's opening day win at Wimbledon, Beckham looked up and spotted Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line. Audaciously, he executed a perfect lob which gave the back-pedalling keeper no chance as it dipped into the net before celebrating with a broad grin.
England v Colombia, June 1998
Beckham's first goal for England, in the World Cup group stages in Lens, set the standard for the drama to follow in his international career.
After starting the tournament on the bench, Beckham made his first World Cup finals start against Colombia in a must-win clash. Not for the last time, Beckham was the man of the moment for England as his set-piece flashed home to push Glenn Hoddle's team towards the last 16.
Manchester United v Real Madrid, April 2000
United were heading for an ignominious exit from the Champions League after falling 3-0 behind against Real Madrid at Old Trafford. However, Beckham, who rarely earned praise for his dribbling ability, showed he was more than just a superb crosser as he slalomed past two Madrid defenders before eluding another and then slamming in a superb finish. United still went out but Beckham had made his mark once again.
England v Greece, October 2001
Arguably Beckham's most influential performance in an England shirt as he single-handedly dragged his underperforming team to the 2002 World Cup.
Trailing 2-1 going into stoppage-time of their World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford, England looked destined for a trick play-off tie. But Beckham's tireless efforts were rewarded in the most dramatic fashion when he stepped up to curl an unstoppable free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Everton v Manchester United, May 2003
Beckham's last goal for United was fittingly a superb trademark free-kick.
It came against Everton at Goodison Park and was whipped from the right side of the penalty area into the far left corner of Richard Wright's goal with a combination of bend, power and accuracy that few in the world could match.
Source: AFP
