Football megastar Beckham retires but his brand continues Football megastar David Beckham announced on Thursday that he is to retire after a glittering 20-year playing career in which he became one of the most widely recognised figures in world sport. The photogenic boy from modest beginnings in east London has already amassed a fortune of £165 million ($252 million, 195 million euros), and currently has sponsorship deals in place with Adidas, H&M, British supermarket chain Sainsbury's, watch company Breitling and COTY fragrances. Images and soundbites with a marketing expert on brand 'Beckham'