In recent years he’s been known more for the photoshoots rather than his football ability. He’s played ball all around the world, from Manchester to Milan, Paris to Madrid, and after 20 years at the top the David Beckham has called time on his illustrious career. Born in Leytonstone, Becks was signed by United on his 14th Birthday and went on to represent United 394 times. After the ‘hairdryer’ treatment he received from departing manager Ferguson, he was sold to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003. 4 years later he made the switch to the MLS where he signed for LA Galaxy. During his 5 years in the States, he had two loan moves to Italian giants AC Milan. In December 2012 he signed for moneybags side PSG. Now he’s called time on career, many people around the world, both involved in football and out of it, have praised the former England captain for his career.

Chris Waddle controversially said that “Beckham wasn’t even in the top 1000 players to play in the Premier League”. Its true he was never the best player in the world, he didn’t have the dribbling skills of Messi or the tricks of his United replacement Cristiano Ronaldo, but he never pretended he did. What he was good at, his range of passing and outstanding dead ball skill, he was one of the best at. He conducted himself in a manner that every manager was impressed with. His ability should never be questioned, he did after all get manage 115 caps in 13 years of international football, 6 of which he was captain. Many cannot forget his free kick against Greece in 2001. A game in which England didn’t deserve anything from, but Beckham dragged his team singlehandedly that day into the World Cup Finals in Japan.

He has a glamorous life outside football, with a wife like Victoria, it was always going to be. The limelight, the photoshoots and his ability to sell football shirts has always meant his critics questioned his motivation; was it money or football? And his move to LA Galaxy backs the case he was only ever about money. A record contract deal with a club no-one had really heard off, in a league which hadn’t really been taken to by the Americans, made people wonder. But his professionalism and his ‘give it his all’ attitude on the pitch means he was and always will be football first. Which, as many of the leading football stars who have paid tribute to him have said, makes him the perfect role model.

The medal collection tells a gleaming story of a career that many are envious of. Beckham won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, one La Liga, two MLS Cups, and the Ligue 1 title. He’s the only British player to have won 4 league titles in 4 different countries. The only thing he will regret is the failure to win silverware at international level.

Everyone will have a different memory of him both good and bad; the free kick against Greece, the halfway line goal against Wimbledon in 1995 being the positives, the 1998 World Cup being a massive negative. His red card against the Argentines made him hated by many in England for “ruining” the nations chances for glory. But the man bounced back and two years later, was made captain of the national side.

Critics have said his retirement came unoffically in 2007 when he moved to America, but now it’s come, he’ll be a player sorely missed. He was the man who brought football and ‘glamour’ together. He deserves our respect.