PARIS: David Beckham is set to steal many of the headlines in Ligue 1 this weekend as he prepares to make the penultimate appearance of his glittering career for Paris Saint-Germain, while elsewhere the battle for France’s final Champions League qualifying berth intensifies.
After wrapping up the Ligue 1 title with victory at Lyon last weekend, PSG return to the Parc des Princes to face Brest.
The game itself is a dead rubber as, while PSG are already champions, Brest are already certain to be relegated. But the focus will be on Beckham, and on the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes after the capital club’s trophy presentation in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on Monday was ruined by violence.
PSG will get another chance to celebrate with their fans today, and Beckham — who has only made one start and eight substitute appearances in France’s top flight since arriving in January — will surely be given the chance to wave goodbye to the club’s fans before his final appearance at Lorient on Sunday, May 26.
“Saturday, for his last game at the Parc des Princes, we count on all of you to show your joy for having seen him in Paris under the colors of Paris Saint-Germain as well as to celebrate the entire team for its fantastic victory in French Ligue 1,” was the message of club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after hearing of Beckham’s decision to retire, although he added that PSG are hopeful of continuing to work with the Englishman in some capacity in the future.
Elsewhere, Marseille are guaranteed to finish second and will go straight into next season’s Champions League group stage, but the battle for third place, which carries the reward of a spot in the third qualifying round of Europe’s leading club competition, is still alive.
Lyon currently sit third, and are three points clear of both Lille and Nice and four points clear of Saint-Etienne coming into the final two games.
Becks prepares to sign off, Euro fight intensifies
