'Global icon'

Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham arrives at a news conference in Sydney in this Nov 25, 2007 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

He then crossed the Atlantic in 2007 to become the biggest name soccer import in the United States, joining LA Galaxy with a mission to raise the profile of the sport in the country.

"We were honored to have him here," LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told Sky Sports News. "He did wonderful things for our club and our league. He is a global icon and a terrific ambassador for the game."

He won the MLS championship twice with the Galaxy before moving to Paris in January for what turned out to be his last hurrah.

There he demonstrated one of his other sides as he donated his salary to a children's charity in the French capital.

Away from soccer, underwear modelling and ambassadorial roles, Beckham is known as a family man and thanked those closest to him for what they had done for him.

"I wouldn't have achieved what I have done today without my family," he said. "I'm grateful for my parents' sacrifice, which made me realize my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period."

When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he was determined it should be for his sporting prowess rather than the whirlwind of his showbiz lifestyle.

"I just want people to see me as a hard-working footballer, someone that's passionate about the game," he said.

"Over the years ... people have looked at certain other things that have gone on in throughout my career and sometimes that has overshadowed what I've done on the pitch.

"As much as I say that doesn't hurt me, of course it does. At the end of the day I'm a footballer that has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, played with some of the best players in the world and under some of the best and biggest managers and achieved almost everything in football."