Peyton Manning called time on his illustrious career on Sunday, but the tributes for the legendary quarterback were already being paid in the build-up to the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl triumph last month.

The 39-year-old was reportedly set to confirm his retirement on Monday, but the Broncos made the announcement a day earlier.

It was fitting that Manning ended his stellar 18-season NFL career by winning the Super Bowl for a second time with a 24-10 success against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

The five-time NFL MVP Manning is the all-time leader in career passing yards and touchdowns having racked up 71,940 yards and 539 scores through the air.

Eli Manning was among those to wax lyrical over the impact his brother made on the game ahead of what proved to be his final outing.

The New York Giants quarterback said: "I know he doesn't want to talk about it, Peyton's legacy. But from an outsider looking in, you got to think that his impact on the game, on the NFL, especially quarterback position, has been made.

"He's set a standard for playing up-tempo football, the no-huddle, be able to get to any play. Be in the offensive coordinator on the field that you're seeing more and more teams do.

"He kind of started that trend and then played at an extremely high level and win a lot of games and be part of some of the all-time great offences.

"So I think he's been an ambassador for the NFL, for the quarterback position for a long time."

New Orleans Saints Drew Brees also hailed the veteran quarterback ahead of the Broncos' Super Bowl success.

He said: "I've played against Peyton quite a few times. I was actually playing against him in 2004 when he broke Dan Marino's touchdown record and threw his 49th touchdown pass.

"Despite the fact he was on the other side of the ball and that’s what tied the game and they eventually beat us in overtime, it was pretty cool to be on the field during a moment like that.

"I've seen him do a lot of incredible things and that's why he's going down as one of the greatest."