One of the most iconic football stars of his generation, David Beckham is to retire at the end of the season to bring down the curtain on a glittering career.
As well as winning over
100 caps for his England and lifting 19 trophies in two different
continents, it was his ability to maximize the power of the "Beckham
brand" that allowed the footballer to transcend his sport and appeal to a
worldwide mass audience.
Beckham's marriage to former Spice Girl and fashion designer, Victoria, probably helped as well.
"Brand Beckham is dead, long live Brand Beckham!" sports business expert Simon Chadwick told CNN. "Beckham's transition from athlete commodity to sporting statesman and entrepreneur is now complete."
