It was only a few months ago that David Beckham had decided to join Paris Saint-Germain, and now he has already decided to retire.
A pop star wife, an estimated annual salary of 46 million dollars and the most iconic player of this generation-but to those who know the "real" David Beckham, he is just a "normal guy" and a "devoted dad".
When Beckham announced his decision to retire from football Thursday, there was one man who had already anticipated such an event.
Paul Clement, the assistant manager of Paris Saint-Germain, became a close confidante of his compatriot Beckham following the midfielder's arrival in the French capital last January.
Nights in his exclusive suite at Le Bristol hotel were luxurious, but the distance between the 38-year-old and the rest of his family is believed to be one of the key factors in his decision to retire.
While wife Victoria remained at home with children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, Beckham spent time talking through his troubles to a man with a sympathetic ear.
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"The impression from the very first time we met was that he was a devoted dad," Clement told CNN.
He said that the footie ace was very hands-on with the kids, and being away from his family, them being in London and him being in Paris, was difficult for him.
Clement said that Beckham missed his family and thinks that was a huge part of his decision to call it a day.