It's hard for professional athletes to admit their best days are behind them. 

In so many professional sports, there aren't a lot of places soon-to-be former household names can turn to if they still believe they have the right stuff.

In soccer, there's America, where the streets are paved in gold. 

Look at David Beckham. He left Real Madrid at 32 for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and made good on a $250 million deal.

Beckham wasn't the first, but he was the biggest. A handful of former stars followed him including Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Robbie Keane, among others. 

"Washed up" might sound harsh, but most of the aforementioned players and those in the next few slides are just that. They're still quality footballers, but no longer at the height of their game. 

They're shells of their former selves, and while they may not have a lot more to offer in Europe, they can help an entire nation learn to love the beautiful game. 

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