Big names lead tributes to Beckham

Team-mates, managers, politicians and fans queued up to pay tribute to the retiring David Beckham yesterday, a fitting reaction to the exit of a player who transcended his sport.

Beckham’s on-field achievements are impressive enough, from his status as England’s record outfield cap holder to his achievement of winning league titles in four different countries, but the breadth of personalities who lauded his achievements confirmed his influence had long since spread beyond football.