Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has hailed the attitude of David Beckham ahead of his imminent retirement from football.

Neville played alongside Beckham for over 15 years at the Red Devils and in their England duties, but feels despite all the fame and riches that have come his way, his work-rate and desire for the game have never faltered.

Neville wrote in his column in the Daily Mail: "When I asked him how he would like to be remembered, he replied: 'As a hard-working footballer.' Those words sum it up for me. When people think of David, they often focus on things outside of the game. But in reality he was a footballer and a brilliant hard-working one at that.

"In an era when the business of football has become increasingly superficial, when the soap opera that surrounds the sport sometimes overwhelms the game itself and when the demand for instant success from the new money can lead to a relentless series of short-term decisions.

"It's good to be reminded of what makes the sport what it is. The world's most famous football icon wants to be remembered as a hard-working player."

The 38-year-old played his final home game for Paris Saint-Germain in their 3-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1 and was reduced to tears as he left the pitch.