David Beckham proved his superstar status on Friday as he trained in front of more than 15 000 screaming school children ahead of a weekend friendly between his Los Angeles Galaxy team and the Wellington Phoenix.
New Zealand’s capital, like the rest of the country, is rugby territory but the near hysterical reception for the England international footballer and fashion icon was something the All Blacks could only dream about.
Chilly conditions did not deter the children from local schools — especially the teenage girls — who half-filled Westpac Stadium to watch Beckham and his virtually ignored teammates go through a training run.
”David Beckham is Hot. I’m Cold,” read one banner in acknowledgement of the biting wind.
Deafening screams greeted the 32-year-old’s entrance on to the playing field and the noise level barely let up for the next two hours.
The screams intensified every time he waved to the crowd and when he said a brief thank you over the stadium’s sound system at the end of the session.
The popularity of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star on his first visit to New Zealand mirrored the adulation earlier in the week in Sydney.
The star midfielder scored one of his trademark curling free kick goals in the Galaxy’s 5-3 loss to Sydney FC on Tuesday and he made it clear entertainment is the top priority for Saturday’s match against the Phoenix.
”I’m hoping to play the whole game, I enjoyed playing the whole game in Sydney,” he told a press conference on Thursday.
”We’re competitive, we want to win and we’ll be taking the game seriously but also having a bit of fun,” he said.
The 34 500 stadium is already close to being sold out for the match and appears certain to set a attendance record for a New Zealand soccer match. – Sapa-AFP