Sporting legend David Beckham raised the prospect of one last stop on his global football journey Wednesday, refusing to rule out playing in China after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends. Speaking at a news conference unveiling him as an ambassador for the Chinese Super League (CSL), the former England captain left open the possibility.
"I am continuing to play now. So if I continue to stay fit, if I continue to progress as a player because I still feel that I can learn from playing the game, who knows?" he said, after being asked whether he might play in China. "People keep saying it will be my last club and my last season but I continue to play and I love playing, so we'll see."
Beckham, now 37 and nearing the end of his career, joined Paris Saint-Germain in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy in December. As his time in the US drew to a close, Beckham said he wanted "one more challenge" before retiring, sparking a clamour for his signature from teams across Europe and Australia.
Chinese media reports at the time suggesting he could join the domestic league proved unfounded, but the country's cash-rich clubs commonly make their star signings in the summer, when top overseas players become available. He is scheduled to pay two more visits to China during the season from March to November to promote the Chinese league, whose image has been battered by corruption scandals.
A three-year inquiry resulted last month in 33 people receiving lifetime bans and Shanghai Shenhua, the former club of Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, being stripped of its 2003 league title. The former England international's new role has been widely seen as an ambitious attempt by the league to improve its image. But Beckham said his focus would be on developing the sport in China at grassroots level. "What has gone on in the past? I am not a politician so I have nothing to do with it," he said.