Football: Messi will need time to adapt to MLS, says Beckham

FORT LAUDERDALE, United States -- David Beckham believes Lionel Messi will need time to adapt to Major League Soccer, even though the standard of play is at a "different level" from the European game.

Inter Miami co-owner Beckham, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, watched Messi take part in his first training session for the club on Tuesday after signing a two and a half year contract.

Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, a former team-mate of Messi's from Barcelona, also trained at the club's complex, after signing on Saturday, with former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino leading the session.

"Leo's still going to need, no matter how good he is, no matter what his stature is, he and Sergio are going to need time to adapt no matter," said the Englishman.

"They might surprise us, we might start winning every single game, but we have to be patient," he said.

Miami's fans may need to show that patience at Friday's Leagues Cup game against Mexicans Cruz Azul, with Beckham saying the Argentine may not necessarily start.

"Leo will play some part of the game but that will be down to the coach (and) it'll be down to Leo to decide if he's ready because we know that he's been away for a few weeks with his family but he looks sharp, he looks great but he's going to need time to adapt as well," said Beckham.

Beckham was the biggest name to have moved to MLS when he signed for the Galaxy in 2007 when the league had just 13 clubs, compared to 29 today and the standard of play was significantly lower.

But Beckham said that there was one area where nothing had changed.

"One of the similarities will be, when I came, all of a sudden, everyone thought: LA are going to win everything. LA are going to win every game, 7-0, 8-0, and that's it, nobody else is gonna win anything," he said.

But despite Beckham's arrival, the Galaxy weren't even able to make the playoffs in his first two seasons.

LA finished next to bottom of the Western Conference in 2007 and 2008 but then in 2009 were beaten finalists before winning MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012.

"Those first two years for me, it was a challenge, getting used to everything, bringing the club and the league to be a little bit more professional, but things changed very quickly," he said.

"I started enjoying the soccer a lot more, not just because we were winning (but) because I could see the change that was being made -- the academy stuff coming into each of the clubs... we're now at a stage where things are definitely different to how they were in 2007," he said.

While the standard of MLS is still well below that of the top leagues in Europe, where Messi has spent his entire club career, several foreign players who joined the league late in their career have found it difficult to thrive.

The frequent travel across time-zones, playing on artificial surfaces at some stadium, and having team-mates who might not be on the same wavelength or have the expected technical ability, are some of the challenges players have faced.

Beckham has no doubt that Messi will be a success but accepts his impact on the field might not be as instant as some may be anticipating.

"It's a different style of football, it's  a slightly different level to what obviously some of the players that are coming in are used to," he said.

"But at the end of the day, this level of football in this country now is a good level, it's a great level, so there are going to be moments where we have to be patient," he said.

Agence France-Presse

Football: David Beckham joins All In Challenge

David Beckham, the former England soccer captain and now co-owner of Major League Soccer's Inter-Miami, is giving fans a chance to play a five-a-side charity match and raise funds to help feed those in need during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Beckham's offer is part of the "All In Challenge" in which athletes and celebrities come up with special fan experiences to raise money for selected charities.

Along with getting a chance to form a team to play with the former Manchester United midfielder, the winner will have lunch with Beckham and watch an Inter-Miami match from the owner's suite.

In a video, the 44-year-old Beckham challenged his former clubs Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris St Germain to join in the charity effort.

The winner will be chosen from a raffle with fans able to purchase 10 entries for $10.

MLS is also offering up a one-off prize with a fan getting a chance to replace commissioner Don Garber's name on the game ball when the league returns to action and on the 2021 MLS All-Star game ball, which also includes a VIP All-Star weekend trip.

A number of high-profile athletes have stepped up to join the cause, including six-times Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady, who is offering tickets to his first home game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, dinner and/or a workout plus his game jersey and cleats.

Other prizes include batting practice and dinner with New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, a chance to play in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game or appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. 

(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Ed Osmond)

-reuters-

Football: Real Madrid beaten by Mallorca as Barca go top of La Liga

MADRID, Spain -- Barcelona sailed back to the top of the table on Saturday and trouble returned to Real Madrid after they endured their first La Liga defeat of the season at newly-promoted Real Mallorca.

Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Robinho were in the last Madrid team to lose a league game at San Moix in 2006 and 13 years later, Mallorca repeated the trick thanks to a scintillating strike by Junior Lago in the first half.

Alvaro Odriozola allowed Lago too much room to cut inside and was then sent off late on, even if Madrid's attempts at a comeback looked doomed well before they were reduced to 10.

"The problem is we have to show every three days that we are good," Real coach Zidane said. 

"That is what we don't do. We have to be consistent. We have to put more life into our game if we want to achieve anything this year."

The 1-0 defeat halts the resurgence of Zidane's side just as Barcelona's appears to be gathering pace, a 3-0 win away at Eibar giving the Catalans their fifth consecutive victory in all competitions. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann scored the goals.

In between, Atletico Madrid were pegged back by Valencia as a brilliant Dani Parejo free-kick earned the visitors a hard-earned 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano.

It means Barca will finish the weekend top of the table for the first time this season as the defending champions continue to leave their stumbling start further behind them.

For Real, five games unbeaten and three of them victories had not erased the doubts, but at least seemed to offer evidence Zidane's team were turning a corner.

But Mallorca, who climb to 14th, deserved their triumph in what is their first season back in the top flight since relegation ended a run of 16 consecutive years there in 2013.

Lago collected the ball on the left in the seventh minute, drove at the retreating Odriozola before cutting inside and unleashing a shot into the far corner.

Madrid lacked purpose and cutting edge, with their hopes all but dashed when Odriozola capped a miserable night by flying in late on Lago in the 74th minute and collecting a second yellow card.

Zidane will hope to have at least one of the injured Luke Modric, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos back for their crucial Champions League group match away at Galatasaray on Tuesday.

- 'MSG' fire for Barca -

Barcelona's autumn injury crisis is over and their 'MSG' attack is finally clicking into gear as Messi, Suarez and Griezmann all scored in a ruthless win over Eibar.

Griezmann's place in the newly-formed attacking trident has not been secure but the Frenchman opened the scoring at Ipurua before teeing up Messi and then playing the crucial pass for Suarez to make it three.

"There will be good and bad days but we are getting to know each other and bit by bit we will do even better," said Griezmann.

Victory also dismissed suggestions their players might be affected by Friday's postponement of next Saturday's Clasico due to protests in Catalonia. 

Barcelona's fans chanted in support of the nine Catalan leaders imprisoned last week for a failed independence bid in 2017.

The match against Real Madrid is now expected to go ahead in December.

"It is fashionable not to agree on political issues but at least let's agree on the date of the Clasico," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said afterwards. "It doesn't seem to me that difficult."

The only blot on the result was an injury to Sergi Roberto, who will be a doubt for the Champions League game at Slavia Prague on Wednesday after hurting his left knee.

- Atletico lose ground -

Atletico lost ground as they were undone by a late Parejo free-kick at the Wanda Metropolitano, where both sides finished the game with 10 men.

Diego Costa scored a first-half penalty and in a frantic final 10 minutes, Joao Felix limped off, with all three of Diego Simeone's substitutes already used. Parejo struck moments later before Valencia's Lee Kang-in was sent off in injury-time.

Atletico confirmed Felix suffered a "grade two sprain" in his right ankle. He will now miss the Champions League game at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Beckham makes ballot for U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame

Former England captain David Beckham, who won two Major League Soccer (MLS) titles with the Los Angeles Galaxy, was among the first-time candidates named on the ballot for the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder played six seasons in MLS, all of them for the Galaxy, and helped his team to win championships in the last two of those seasons, 2011 and 2012.

His arrival in Los Angeles in 2007 put MLS on the map and brought a level of legitimacy and visibility that otherwise may have taken the North American league decades to reach.

Beckham, who is currently trying to get his proposed MLS franchise off the ground in Miami, met the Hall of Fame's eligibility criteria given his seasons in MLS, during which he scored 18 goals in 98 games.

The voting pool includes past and present men's and women's U.S. national team coaches, active MLS and National Women's Soccer League management, U.S. Soccer leadership, Hall of Famers and media members.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame closed its Oneonta, New York, location in 2010 with a new facility in Texas expected to open next year.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Hacked emails put Beckham’s Typhoon Yolanda charity work in spotlight: report

Football celebrity David Beckham allegedly told the UNICEF through one of his staff that he shouldn't be shouldering the expenses connected to charity work benefiting the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013, according to hacked emails reported by British media.

"I totally agree to be honest there's no way it should be costing me anything," Beckham allegedly said in one of the conversations about a trip he made to Tacloban, Leyte, in 2014, as reported by the Mirror on Monday.

A UNICEF statement defended Beckham, saying he had given "significant personal funds" to the charity.

Beckham was hit by a media onslaught on Monday after a series of hacked emails made public raised questions over his charity work.

A staple of British gossip and style columns, Beckham, 41, came under attack from newspapers after emails he allegedly sent were disclosed by the website "Football Leaks". A spokeswoman for Beckham said the emails had been taken out of context and doctored.

Among them was his foul-mouthed reaction when he found out he was not going to be knighted and his reluctance to donate his own money to a charity project.

The leaks fly in the face of his "man of the people" public image.

Known by the nickname "Golden Balls", the east-London born midfielder shot to fame with Manchester United thanks to his expert free-kick taking and crossing ability. He won six Premier League titles and one Champions League, when Manchester United won the "treble" in 1999.

He is the third most-capped England international, and has global appeal having played for Spain's Real Madrid and U.S. team L.A. Galaxy. He became as famous off the pitch as he was on it, marrying "Posh Spice" singer Victoria Adams in 1999.

Beckham told the BBC in a special radio appearance last month that he stayed with Victoria for love rather than to protect "brand Beckham".

However, the leaked emails portray a star who carefully maintained his image and who was tetchy when he did not get his way. His spokeswoman said the emails were misleading.

"This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails from a third party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture," she said in a statement.

Reuters was not able to verify the source of the emails independently.

Many tabloid newspapers that had helped to propel his fame were unrelenting in their criticism of him on Monday.

The Daily Mail dedicated four pages to the "shame of Saint Becks," and the affair has been dubbed "Beckileaks" in the British media, although the Daily Mirror said that Beckham had been a victim of a "blackmail plot to shame footie hero".

Much of the outrage has centred around Beckham's work with the UNICEF children's charity. The leaked emails suggested that Beckham had billed it for a flight which he didn't need to take, and was reluctant to contribute his own money to the charity.

UNICEF said it could not comment on the emails, but defended Beckham's contribution.

"As well as generously giving his time, energy and support to help raise awareness and funds for UNICEF's work for children, David has given significant funds personally," it said in a statement.

— With reports from Reuters' Alistair Smout

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Kobe Bryant scores 60 in final NBA game

Hollywood ending as Bryant bows out

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant delivered a Hollywood ending as the curtain came down on his glittering 20-year NBA career on Wednesday in a fairy-tale finale.

On a night of searing emotion at a packed Staples Center, the 37-year-old signed off with a mammoth 60 points, including a final burst of scoring to inspire a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz.

A galaxy of A-list celebrities -- from Jack Nicholson to David Beckham -- roared their approval from courtside as Bryant exited with a perfectly scripted finale.

"Man, I can't believe how fast 20 years went by, this is crazy," Bryant said after the victory in an address to the crowd.

"To be standing on center court with you guys, my team-mates behind me, appreciating all this, the journey we've been on.

"I grew up a die-hard Laker fan -- I mean a die-hard Laker fan -- so to be drafted and traded here and spend 20 years here, you can't write something better than this.

"No words can describe how I feel about you guys, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. What can I say? Mamba out."

A sell-out crowd of 19,060 fans had packed into the Staples Center to watch Bryant lace up for the 1,566th and last time.

Tickets were the most expensive in basketball history, according to online exchange StubHub.com, which sold one pair of tickets for a staggering $27,500 each.

Lakers legend Magic Johnson had acted as master of ceremonies for a lengthy pre-game tribute that featured video messages from some of the NBA's most recognizable figures.

"We are here to celebrate greatness for 20 years," Johnson told the crowd. "He's not only a great and unbelievable sports icon but he's already the greatest to wear the purple and gold."

'Melancholy' Nicholson
Oscar-winning actor Nicholson -- a regular presence at courtside during the Bryant era -- wrapped up a montage of video messages.

"Kobe, goodbye, I think I might retire with you, I'm not sure," said Nicholson.

Nicholson later described Bryant's retirement as a "melancholy" moment.

"It's like anything -- you don't know what you had until you don't have it," Nicholson told NBA TV. "Fortunately we do know what we had and he's been great all the way."

Bryant's tribute video was a virtual who's who of the NBA, with Shaquille O'Neal, Lamar Odom, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and several other coaches and players featured.

"It was fun playing with you, it was fun playing against you," O’Neal said. "Best Laker ever."

Odom, battling back to health after a drug overdose last year, added: "I'm proud to say I was right with you, Kobe Bean."

Excitement for Bryant's farewell game had built throughout the day, with the streets surrounding the Staples Center transformed into a sea of purple and gold as thousands of fans thronged the area.

"It's like a family member, we spent $3,000 on two tickets, we are ready to spend a lot of money to see history," one Lakers fan, Miguel, told AFP.

Los Angeles transport officials meanwhile got into the spirit of celebration, renaming a metro station near the Staples Center "Kobe Station" for the day.

On Twitter, fans were invited to share their memories under the trending hashtag "#MambaDay", a reference to Bryant's "Black Mamba" nickname.

As day gave way to dusk, Los Angeles City Hall was lit up in the Lakers' iconic colors of purple and gold.

Announcing the gesture earlier in the day, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson declared the move a fitting tribute to the retiring star.

"The City of Angels owes Kobe Bryant a debt of gratitude for sharing with us 20 remarkable years of electrifying dedication and commitment to the city, our fans and communities," said Wesson.

"His work ethic, hustle and quest for championships ensures his place in the history books -- there will never be another Kobe Bryant."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

David Beckham named People's 'Sexiest Man Alive'

LOS ANGELES - Retired English soccer star David Beckham, an international celebrity both on and off the field, was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," on Tuesday.

"It's a huge honor," Beckham, 40, told People of being handed the title on its 30th anniversary. "I'm very pleased to accept."

The soccer legend and husband of pop star and fashion designer Victoria Beckham has long been known for his chiseled good looks.

He has been featured in advertisements for Pepsi, Adidas, and modeled underwear for Giorgio Armani, but the sportsman and father of four told People he has never thought of himself as "an attractive, sexy person."

"I mean I like to wear nice clothes and nice suits and look and feel good, but I don't ever think of myself that way," he said.

Beckham's wife, Victoria, 41, was supportive of his new title, he said.

"I would hope that she feels this way about me all the time anyway," he told People.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mandela's death resonates in world of sports

WASHINGTON - Boxing great Muhammad Ali saluted the legacy of Nelson Mandela Thursday, saying the revered icon of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle "taught us forgiveness on a grand scale."

Ali's was just one of the tributes that poured in from the world of sport in the wake of Mandela's death at the age of 95.

Ali, the former heavyweight world champion who himself became a beloved civil rights campaigner, said he was "deeply saddened" by Mandela's death.

"His was a life filled with purpose and hope; hope for himself, his country and the world," Ali said. "He inspired others to reach for what appeared to be impossible and moved them to break through the barriers that held them hostage mentally, physically, socially and economically. He made us realize, we are our brother's keeper and that our brothers come in all colors."

"What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge. He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free."

World football chief Sepp Blatter, in Brazil on the eve of the draw for the 2014 World Cup, called Mandela "one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine."

Blatter paid warm personal tribute to Mandela, who famously embraced South Africa's predominantly white rugby team after they won the 1995 World Cup on home soil in a poignant moment of racial reconciliation.

"He and I shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of football (and sport generally) to unite people in peace and friendship, and to teach basic social and educational values as a school of life," said Blatter.

Golf great Tiger Woods recalled meeting Mandela in 1998, the year after his first Masters triumph.

Woods was playing a tournament in South Africa, and he and his father, Earl, were invited to lunch at Mandela's home.

"It was one of the most inspiring times I've ever had in my life," said Woods, who also marveled at Mandela's capacity for forgiveness and ability to forge reconciliation after two decades in prison.

"I don't think any of us probably here could have survived that and come out as humble and as dignified as he did. To lead an entire nation and to basically love the world when he came out, I think that's a testament to his will and his spirit and who he was."

Another golf great, South Africa's own Gary Player, tweeted his respects.

"Condolences to all on the passing of our beloved Father of the South African Nation, Nelson Mandela. Madiba we loved you. Rest in Peace," Player said on Twitter.

Portugal football captain Cristiano Ronaldo posted a picture on his Facebook page of himself with Mandela, taken at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Thankyou Madiba for your legacy and your example," he wrote. "You'll always stay with us."

"We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being. It was truly an honor to have known a man who had genuine love for so many people," said former England football captain David Beckham.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Beckham roots for 'inspirational' Pacquiao

MACAO - Asian boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao will not only have the support of a Filipino-packed crowd when he fights Brandon Rios on Sunday, but also a phalanx of celebrity cheerleaders, led by David Beckham.

The former England football captain will be joined at the Macau ringside by a number of celebrity guests for the fight, including Oscar-wining actor and director George Clooney, Sands China CEO Ed Tracy confirmed.

Reality TV star Paris Hilton and Daniel Wu and Eddie Peng will also be at ringside, while American rap superstar 50 Cent is also strongly rumoured to be flying in to see "Pac-Man's" comeback fight.

Singing star Alicia Keys, who has been performing concerts at the Venetian Resort where the bout will take place, is also expected to attend.

Beckham jetted in to the southern Chinese city on Friday and immediately declared himself to be a "huge fan" of eight-weight world champion Pacquiao.

Beckham arrived to announce a commercial partnership with the resort's owners, Sands Las Vegas, but then let slip the real reason why he had decided to travel to the the semi-autonomous Chinese region this weekend.

"(Pacquiao) is obviously one of the reasons why I'm here and why I'm really excited," said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star at a press conference.

"I'm a huge fan of Manny's. I met him a couple of years ago in the Philippines, when I was on tour there with the LA Galaxy and also there with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund).

"He really is a truly inspirational person."

Beckham also had a message for the people of the Philippines as they attempt to rebuild their towns and lives after the devastation wreaked by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, which has left nearly 7,000 people dead or missing.

"The eyes of the world have been on the Philippines the last couple of weeks," said Beckham.

"This fight will mean so much to Manny because, for a slight moment, it's going to put a smile on the people's faces in the Philippines.

"And we all send out love and our hopes to the people in that part of the world."

Pacquiao, coming off back-to-back defeats for the first time in his glittering career, takes on Rios in a "must-win" bout for the World Boxing Organization international welterweight championship in Macau on Sunday morning (Saturday night in the US).

The boxers are expected to touch gloves for the main event around 11:30 am (0330 GMT).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

David Beckham looks forward to Pacquiao fight

MACAU - Retired soccer star David Beckham declared himself "a huge fan" of boxer Manny Pacquiao on Friday and said he was excited at the prospect of the Pacquiao versus Brandon Rios fight on Sunday.

Beckham is one of a number of celebrity guests in Macau for the fight, at the invitation of the casino where the bout is taking place. Former England captain Beckham is collaborating on community projects with the casino owner, U.S. billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

"It's obviously one of the reasons why I'm here and why I'm really excited being here. I'm a huge fan of Manny's. I met him a couple of years ago in the Philippines with, when I was on tour there with the Galaxy and also there with UNICEF. And he truly is an inspirational person," said Beckham.

Beckham, who moved to USA and the Major League Soccer (MLS) after his glory days in European soccer, has already confirmed rumours that he is planning to start a new soccer team with MLS, based in Miami. But it has become evident that a formal announcement will come later.

The league has confirmed it is in discussions with Beckham but is awaiting a formal bid, including details of the city, the ownership group, and a stadium plan, which is expected before the end of the year.

"It's something that I want to achieve," said Beckham. "I want to continue to be successful and I want to continue to be successful in America. And owning a team is something I'm really excited about. Like I said, I've looked at different places in America. Miami is something that really excited me because I think there's a great energy down there. I've been to the heat games, I've seen excitement of the people, and I think they're ready for a football team in that part of the world. You know, like I said. It's not been announced yet but at some point we'll have some very good news," said Beckham.

The Pacquiao fight is a coup for Macau, a former Portuguese colony and now a special administrative region of China, like neighbouring Hong Kong.

Its 35 gaming houses are the only places where Chinese nationals are allowed to gamble in casinos, and revenues are soaring with Macau gaming revenues expected to be seven times those of Las Vegas this year.

Now China's central government is calling for Macau to attract more tourists, not just hardcore gamblers, and hosting sports events is a direct way of doing this.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

David Beckham donates clothes for 'Yolanda' victims

MANILA - Celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham donated 20 boxes of designer clothes and shoes to the British Red Cross in London to help raise funds for the victims of typhoon 'Yolanda.'

The collection reportedly included suits and shoes estimated to be worth at around £800 or P56,000 each.

Victoria Beckham, formerly known as Posh Spice of the "Spice Girls," encouraged more people to do the same.

"Everyone has something in their closet they were holding on to - a dress, suit, or pair of shoes they thought they might wear again," she said.

"Dig them out, bag them up, drop them off and give someone else the chance to buy them, raising much-needed funds for the Red Cross aid effort."

Earlier this month, other British celebrities, led by boy band One Direction, held a telethon on London's iconic BT Tower to answer the "Typhoon Appeal" of UK's Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

And according to the official Facebook page of the DEC, as of Thursday, the umbrella charity organization already raised more than £55 million or around P3.8 billion for those affected by the super typhoon.

“Survivors of the disaster desperately need a huge amount of help both now and in the months to come, so this money will literally support people to rebuild their lives,” said DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed in the Facebook post.

As of November 21, the death toll from Yolanda stands at 4,011, while 1,602 remain missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The NDRRMC said at least 2.1 million families or 9.9 million individuals were affected by 'Yolanda.'

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Beckham to release picture book in October

LONDON - Former England soccer captain David Beckham will release a picture book in October featuring images from his playing career in a deal with a UK publishing unit of French media company Lagardere.

The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, who retired from football in May after a brief spell with French club Paris St Germain, is expected to release the book on Oct. 31 with Lagardere's UK-based Headline Publishing Group.

Headline's non-fiction publishing director, Jonathan Taylor, bought the world rights in a deal with the 38-year-old's management company XIX Entertainment for a book the publisher said will be a personal celebration of his playing days.

"David Beckham is, without a doubt, the most universally recognised and popular sports person on the planet, and this gorgeous book will be a superb way for his millions of fans around the world to celebrate David's remarkable achievements within football," Taylor said in a statement.

Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.

He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.

His new book is just one part of the post-retirement plans for Britain's richest sportsman, whose easy charm and image as a family man should ensure the Beckham brand continues to prosper.

Managed by the XIX Entertainment group which has British motor racing driver Lewis Hamilton and Wimbledon tennis champion Andy Murray on its books, Beckham has capitalised on his film-star looks and athlete's body to market underwear for Swedish fashion chain H&M and luxury watches for Swiss manufacturer Breitling.

He is married to former Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham, with whom he has four children.

Lagardere posted a 2.3 percent rise in first-quarter sales in May, driven by the publishing success of the "Fifty Shades" bestsellers and a biography of Sweden international soccer player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato)

source:www.abs-cbnnews.com

David Beckham's Top 23 Shirtless Photos

Whether he just wanted to cool off after a big game, or he was posing for an ad campaign, David Beckham has blessed us with many a gratuitous shirtless shot!

Both Armani and H&M got Becks to bare his beautiful body in front of their cameras. And, lucky for us, David hasn't been shy about shedding his shirt for no good reason, either (hey, "just because" is just fine for us!)

Then we realized how great it would be to have all of these pics in one place. Thus, our "David Beckham Shirtless" gallery was born (you're welcome!)

source: eonline.com

Beckham could bring US-like boost to PSG

WASHINGTON - David Beckham gave Major League Soccer a huge boost from his arrival in 2007 to his departure two months ago, raising the US profile of the league and football far above his $32.5 million contract.

Now at Paris Saint-Germain, the 37-year-old former England captain who played for Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United is in position to raise the profile of France's Ligue 1 and notably the team from the City of Light.

Beckham joined the French club last week after leading the Los Angeles Galaxy to the past two MLS titles, the buzz around him having boosted the value of every team in the US league and strengthened the sport's American foothold.

"Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport. David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level," said Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, owners of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

And because Beckham's contract included a deal to become an MLS owner at less than the market value he helped create, Beckham might yet return to America as owner of a new or existing club.

"My commitment to the league stays the same," Beckham said. "I still want to be part of this league... My ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future."

In his injury-hit first US campaign, "Beckhamania" saw 300,000 jerseys bearing his name sold, higher attendance and television ratings whenever he took the field and new investors who boosted the league from 12 to 19 clubs.

"There's no doubt that MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "David has achieved great things on and off the field during his time with the Galaxy."

MLS attendance reached a league-record 18,807-a-game average last season. That's 3,300 fans a game better than when Beckham arrived.

In addition to helping create new teams in such hotbed markets as Seattle and Portland, Beckham helped spark the construction of football-only stadiums for many MLS teams, helping ensure their long-term financial health.

"The foundations are now there for this sport to continue to grow," Beckham said. "I've seen it grow in the last six years and we all want it to continue. My commitment as an ambassador for this sport and this country won't change."

Beckham says European football supporters are more interested in US clubs than before and US clubs are definitely interested in European talent, bringing over veterans such as Frenchman Thierry Henry and Ireland's Robbie Keane in Beckham's wake.

"What have I seen from myself firsthand?" Beckham said. "I've seen the new franchises. I've seen the attendances grow in this league to where they are competing with baseball and basketball. I've seen the quality of players that have come into this league. And we've seen huge TV deals.

"We've also seen the interest and the fact that this league is taken very seriously in Europe and in different parts of the world now. I'm very proud to have been part of that."

While France has no need of awakening football interest, Beckham can boost profits.

Souvenir sales, especially to his huge Asian fan base, have helped offset the cost of every Beckham signing.

Forbes magazine indicated Beckham was a major factor in Real Madrid's huge increase in merchandise sales, which topped $600 million in his four years with the Spanish side -- a 60 percent rise within two seasons of his arrival.

And in America, Beckham took a second-tier sport dimmed since Pele's 1970s stint with the New York Cosmos and gave it a new lustre that has boosted US interest in European leagues as well.

"What we were looking for was a long-term partner in building this league, someone committed to working with us in creating more value for everyone," Garber said.

"David has delivered for us on all aspects beyond our expectations. MLS wouldn't be what it is today if David didn't decide in 2007 to come play."

source: abs-cbnnews.com

British press lauds Beckham's last tango in Paris

LONDON - David Beckham's showbiz arrival at Paris Saint-Germain proved that he remains one of the biggest stars in world football despite his advancing years, Britain's newspapers said Friday.

Former England captain Beckham, who won the English, Spanish and US league titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy respectively, agreed a five-month deal with the French league leaders on Thursday.

"Golden Boules", was The Sun's take on the 37-year-old midfielder's move to PSG.

The tabloid said he was "already a hero" for donating his salary to charity but he had "better keep a few quid (pounds) back" for his Spice Girl wife Victoria's Paris shopping sprees.

The Daily Express and the Daily Mirror called him "Saint Becks" for his charity gesture.

"Beckham put playing before brand with last tango in Paris", said The Times.

"It is, of course, all about the brand -- a move based purely on commercial considerations. For Paris Saint-Germain, that is," wrote their chief football correspondent Oliver Kay.

"But for David Beckham, the latest move in his extraordinary career appears, first and foremost, to be all about football.

"He has shown that he still has ambitions to prove himself at a higher level."

The move "announces to the world -- and indeed to France -- that there is a football club in Paris.

"He does not want the drudgery of a mid-table existence in England. He wants yet another championship, yet another fairytale. And if it all adds to the mystique and the brand, so much the better."

The Daily Telegraph said: "Mobbed as he arrived in Paris, he proved that -- in the twilight of his glittering career -- he was still one of the biggest box office draws in sport."

Beckham picked the right gesture in the right country by donating his salary, the broadsheet said.

"Money is perhaps the ultimate taboo in a country that guillotined its aristocracy for hoarding wealth and whose socialist president, Francois Hollande, famously declared: 'I don't like the rich'."

The Guardian's Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis said the press conference "oozed money: it was the quintessence of football's mega-rich.

"The Qatari-owned team, the highest spending club in Europe in the past year, was flashing its cash by bagging the biggest, living, breathing man-brand in sport, whether advertising too-tight white underwear, shifting football shirts or posing with fizzy drinks."

But by donating his salary to charity, "Did this mean here at last was a stinking rich person France could warm to?"

Sam Wallace in The Independent warned: "The Beckham story post-Manchester United is significantly well-established now, via Madrid, Los Angeles and Milan, for him to do himself lasting damage in Paris."

For PSG's Qatari owners, "Beckham is a guarantee that your club will be, if nothing else, of interest."

They have bought into "Beckhamism: celebrity, modernity, all wrapped up in old-fashioned English politeness and an old-school enthusiasm for football. There appears to be an extraordinary demand for it, which only one man can fulfil.

"Beckham is now comfortably established as one of Britain's foremost modern cultural exports."

source: abs-cbnnews.com