Beckham lauds 'special night' after making PSG debut

25-Feb-2013 2:25:00 PM

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder was full of pride after making a 15-minute cameo for his new club in the 2-0 victory over Marseille on Sunday

David Beckham says making his debut for Paris Saint-Germain in the 2-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille was a "special night" in his career.

The 37-year-old Englishman started the game on the substitutes' bench but came on to replace Javier Pastore in the 76th minute, and he was delighted with the welcome he received from a raucous Parc des Princes crowd.

"It was a special night for the team and for me," Beckham told reporters after the match.

"I received a great welcome. To wear the PSG shirt and get on the pitch, it was all very special.

"The reception before the game and when I came on was great. I am very happy and very proud to have a chance to play in a great league with a great team.

"It's great to be among all these great players. Coming here, at my age and during the transfer window, I do not expect to play every game, but that's the goal."

The atmosphere in the snowy French capital was in keeping with clashes between the two fierce rivals, and showed no signs of abating when Nicolas N'Koulou deflected Lucas Moura's shot past Steve Mandanda early on.

The visitors, not cowed by the fireworks and end-to-end chanting from the home fans, threatened to equalise on several occasions as les Parisiens retreated deeper into their own half. But Beckham helped seal victory in the closing minutes when he flicked a ball over to Jeremy Menez, who crossed for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to turn home from close range.

And the former England captain, who admitted he had felt apprehensive before the clash, agreed that it was a show of faith from coach Carlo Ancelotti to use him in such a typically heated encounter with the result still in the balance.

"Of course, especially against the team third in the table, and with me trying to catch up [with fitness]. It's a big game, the biggest in France," he added.

"When it's 1-0 we know that it can go in either directions. If you go on and they score... Fortunately, the opposite happened.

"It's good to start with. On my first two or three passes, my feet were a little frozen! To win against Marseille and increase our lead on them to eight points, it was a very important victory for us.

"There was slight nerves. I have always said it was a big challenge since I signed for Paris.

"Playing in America for six years and then wanting another challenge meant there was a little bit of pressure. But I really enjoyed the evening, as I have enjoyed the last 10 days. It was hard to get back in shape but I feel good, it's going well."

Ancelotti, meanwhile, hinted that Beckham could start in Wednesday's Coupe de France clash against Marseille.