Beckham 'excited' by possible 'Classique' debut for PSG
February 24, 2013 -- Updated 2200 GMT (0600 HKT)
David Beckham waves after his team Paris St. Germain played Brest in his final home match in Paris on Saturday, May 18. Beckham signed on with the team just a few months ago, and now he is retiring. Click through for a look back at Beckham through the years.
Beckham poses with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, and PSG sports director Leonardo during a press conference announcing his new gig in January 2013.
Beckham makes his England debut at a World Cup Europe Qualifying Round Group 2 match against Moldova in 1996.
Beckham celebrates his goal in the 1998 World Cup Finals versus Colombia in 1998.
Becks as a member of Manchester United cools down during the FA Charity Shield match against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London in 1998.
At the 1998 World Cup in France, in a second-round match against Argentina, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. England lost the match on penalties and was eliminated, with Beckham becoming a hate figure for some fans.
Beckham poses after a press conference in Awaji-shima Island, Japan, in 2002.
Beckham poses with Beyonce, left, and Jennifer Lopez during a presentation of the new Pepsi "Samourai" in Madrid in 2004.
Becks waves after a la Liga match between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in Madrid in 2007.
The midfielder celebrates with his sons in 2007 after Real Madrid won the Spanish League title by beating Mallorca.
Beckham makes an appearance to promote his fragrance "David Beckham Intimately Night" in Sydney in 2007.
Beckham reveals his new No. 32 Adidas jersey as part of an announcement of the start of his loan move to AC Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2008.
Beckham controls the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier of European Group 6.
Beckham unveils the new Emporio Armani underwear ad campaign for the fall/winter of 2009-2010.
Beckham, No. 23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, walks toward the line judge to have a chat during Game 1 of the MLS Western Conference Semifinals against Chivas USA in 2009.
Becks arrives at Sydney International Airport in 2010.
David and Victoria Beckham arrive at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
The Beckhams attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California, in 2012.
Beckham celebrated his second MLS Cup success with the Los Angeles Galaxy in December 2012, when he decided to leave with a year left on his contract as he sought one final career challenge in Europe.
Beckham passes under Tower Bridge in a speedboat which carries the Olympic Torch and its torchbearer in 2012.
Beckham acts as England's captain during the 2004 European Nations Championship football match against Croatia in Lisbon, Portugal.
David Beckham through the years
David Beckham through the years
Making his debut
Getting pumped
All wet
Photos: David Beckham through the years
Repping his homeland
Hobnobing with celebs
Loving the fans
Family guy
The entreprenuer
The Los Angeles resident
Kicking it like ...
The pitchman
To the Galaxy and beyond
The thinker
A prince among royals
Golden award moments
Photos: David Beckham through the years
Powering through for Olympics
A name brand
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- David Beckham named in a 20-man squad for Paris Saint-Germain's match on Sunday
- Veteran soccer icon hoping to make his debut in match against "Classique" rivals Marseille
- PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti refuses to confirm that midfielder will take part in match
- Beckham's former club Manchester United extend English league lead to 15 points
(CNN) -- On the day one of his former clubs marched closer to yet another title, David Beckham was relishing the prospect of making his debut for Paris Saint-Germain in one of French football's biggest fixtures.
The ex-Manchester United star has been named in the PSG squad for Sunday's home clash with third-placed Marseille, the only French team to ever win the European title.
"Le Classique" has come to prominence again following both clubs' return to fortunes -- league-leading PSG's due to an influx of Qatari cash, and Marseille's after a humiliating spell outside the top flight thanks to a match-fixing scandal.
"I played a lot of big games in my career, such as duels between AC Milan and Inter, Real Madrid and Barcelona, or the Galaxy and Chivas," Beckham told PSG's official website after being named in a 20-man squad.
"I think it's very exciting to discover a new very special game."

Hundreds of fans and journalists flocked to the Paris Saint-Germain training ground Wednesday to get a glimpse of David Beckham in action on the practice field. The interest in Beckham's move to the French club has caused huge excitement with the anticipation building ahead of the midfielder's possible debut on Sunday.
David Beckham took part in his first training session with his new Paris Saint-Germain teammates less than 24 hours after watching them claim a 2-1 win at Valencia in the last-16 round of the Champions League. on Tuesday.
Beckham, 37, was put through is paces at the club's open training day where more than 100 journalists turned up to witness the event. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is hoping to make his debut against Sochaux on Sunday, but it's not known if his pop star wife Victoria will be in attendance. Beckham's family has remained in London where his children Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz attend school following their move from Los Angeles.
Beckham, who won 115 caps for England, has signed a five-month deal with the Qatari-backed club, but has revealed that his salary will be donated to a Paris children's charity. He will now hope to force his way into the side and link up with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi with the team six points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Beckham waves to the waiting press pack as he makes his way out at the club's Camp des Loges training center in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. The session, which was led by PSG's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, was shown live on French television.
Beckham shows off his new pink boots, a pair of which even Posh Spice might approve of. While Beckham is busy preparing for his debut, fashion designer Victoria was having her latest designs shown off by models in London.
After working up a sweat, Beckham throws off his top and gets back to work with the players who didn't feature in Tuesday's win at Valencia. If Beckham doesn't play against Sochaux on Sunday, he could line-up the following week against fierce rival Marseille and fellow Englishman Joey Barton.
Beckham takes to the sand as he steps up his training regime. Running on sand has several long-term benefits which includes strengthening the lower body muscles, burning more calories and is supposed to be easier on the joints as opposed to grass.
Beckham watched PSG's win at Valencia alongside the club's sporting director Leonardo. The pair looked on as their side edged out Valencia 2-1 in the first leg thanks to goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off late on. The Swede will miss the second leg in the French capital on March 6.
Beckham mania
Bonjour Becks!
Getting stuck in
Working out
Welcome wave
Pretty in pink
Hot stuff
Life's a beach
Becks and Leo
HIDE CAPTION
'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience
Beckham will not be the only superstar on show on Sunday -- his former Real Madrid teammate, Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo, has been invited to the match as a special guest.
David Beckham shows off undies in new ad

David Beckham ended his five-year stint in America's pro soccer league in style Saturday as his team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, won the MLS Cup. The Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to win the cup for the second year in a row. Nearly two weeks ago, the team announced that Saturday's game would be Beckham's last with the team. Pictured, Beckham addresses the media after the game on Saturday, December 1, in Carson, California.
Beckham drinks out of the MLS Trophy after the victory.
Fans hold up signs for Beckham at The Home Depot Center during the game.
Beckham looks on while taking on the Houston Dynamo.
Galaxy captain Landon Donovan holds up the MLS Trophy as David Beckham, lower left, and other teammates celebrate their win.
Beckham attacks as Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall tries to stop the ball in the second half.
Beckham has a free kick in the second half.
Beckham waves to fans as he walks off the pitch after the game.
Beckham kicks a corner kick.
Beckham leaps over Houston's Brad Davis in the second half.
Beckham celebrates in the second half.
Beckham and Houston's Ricardo Clark go for a header in the first half.
Beckham attempts to disrupt an inbound pass by Houston's goalie Tally Hall in the second half.
After the win, Beckham celebrates with his sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
David Beckham's last U.S. game
HIDE CAPTION
Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game
French football club spends big
PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti was wary of confirming that Beckham will make his first appearance since agreeing a five-month deal on the final day of the January transfer window, when the 37-year-old English soccer icon promised to give his wages to a children's charity in Paris.
"He will be available but I don't want to reveal the team," the Italian told reporters on Saturday.
"He has worked well and is in good state physically and mentally. He wants to play and he is in a condition to start. He is capable of playing a full match."
PSG will be looking to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat by Sochaux, which left the club three points clear of second-placed Lyon.
Manchester United stayed on course for a record-extending 20th English title by beating the Premier League's bottom club Queens Park Rangers 2-0 on Saturday to extend the team's lead to 15 points.
Second-placed Manchester City will seek to cut that gap by beating third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, while Tottenham could go above the deposed European champions with victory at London rivals West Ham on Monday.
United's top scorer Robin van Persie injured a hip in the buildup to defender Rafael's opening goal against QPR, but is expected to be fit for the Champions League last-16 clash with Real Madrid on March 5.
"He collided with a camera, which was in a dug-out piece of ground. He hit the base of it and has a very bruised hip," United boss Alex Ferguson said of the 19-goal Dutchman.
Ryan Giggs celebrated his 999th United appearance by scoring the second goal with 10 minutes left.
Fifth-placed Arsenal moved to within a point of Tottenham as Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over third-bottom Aston Villa to relieve the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger.
Sixth-placed Everton's Champions League hopes suffered a big blow with a 2-1 defeat at Norwich, while West Brom moved up to seventh with a 2-1 win at home to Sunderland thanks to a double from on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
Wigan moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory at second-bottom reading, as Ivory coast striker Arouna Kone netted twice.
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the early midtable game against Stoke, his eighth this season.
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