Becks brought beautiful game to another level, says Neville

One of David Beckham’s best friends in football, Gary Neville, believes the retiring superstar succeeded in both transforming and transcending the sport.

Beckham yesterday confirmed he would call time on his glittering playing career after one final outing for Paris St Germain, drawing to an end one of the most remarkable stories to emerge from the sport in modern times.

The 38-year-old bows out as England’s most capped outfield player, a league champion in four countries following success at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and Paris St Germain, respectively, and also as one of the most recognisable celebrities in the world.

Neville, a long-time team-mate and friend at United, travelled to Paris to speak to him about his retirement.

He lauded Beckham’s work ethic as a player and marvelled at his A-list status off the pitch.

“He’s won another championship at PSG, that’s four in four countries now, and he just wants to come home,” Neville said.

“You look back and think ‘wow, he’s got an incredible array of caps and medals, and incredible longevity’.

“He played in the greatest midfield I’ve ever played with: David, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. David was a crosser of the ball, a passer of the ball. He had incredible stamina and energy. He was a joy to play with.

“And when you think back on the way football has changed over the last 22 years, he has probably been the most influential player in that time out of England in terms of transforming football.

“He has transported England around the world and that’s something he was aware of and wanted to do.

“Every clothing garment he wore, every hairstyle was followed — not just in football but out of football.”

The man himself felt the time was right to hang up his boots.

“It’s a difficult decision because I still feel I can play at the top level and still have over the last six months.

“I always secretly said to myself I want to go out at the top and if you’d said to me eight months ago you’ll be playing in the French league, winning the league, and finishing like this I would have said probably ‘Absolutely no chance’.

“I was given the opportunity and I just feel now is the time.”

Despite his retirement, Beckham’s huge earnings should continue or even increase in retirement, marketing experts believe.

Steve Martin, chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment said: “His appeal now will shift into different roles.

“He’ll have more time on his hands and more time for commercial partners and the brands he can work or be associated with. He has also got so many commercial sponsors that will carry on whether he is playing or not.

“He is on a totally different planet to other players in terms of commercial value and long-term ambassadorial roles.

“He has got so many long-term deals that don’t depend on him playing — Sainsbury’s, adidas, Breitling – there are so many and, to be honest, the playing part of his career has been much less of the focus in the last 12-15 months anyway, even though he has maintained the public image.

“His appeal is so enduring and that won’t change. From a brand perspective he is unique. He has an appeal that will go on for the next 15-20 years. He could, conservatively, earn £15-20million a year.”