David Beckham & The LA Galaxy Arrive In New Zealand
David Beckham, who recently spent some alone time with his sons in SoCal while their mother was working in the UK, has made his way down to New Zealand this week in order to participate in a LA Galaxy friendly soccer match in Aukland this coming Saturday. You may recall that Becks and the rest of the Galaxy played a similar friendly match in New Zealand last December as well. Here are pics of Becks’s arrival in New Zealand earlier today:
[David Beckham] pressed noses with a number of locals, a traditional greeting known as a ‘hongi’, as he arrived at the city’s airport. Hundreds of fans turned out to see the Los Angeles Galaxy star, who is in town for an Oceania selection in a friendly in Auckland on Saturday. He touched down in New Zealand at 5.30am local time looking travel weary, standing quietly among teammates as a group of indigenous Maori performed a traditional welcoming ceremony. Beckham and the Galaxy played in New Zealand last December, drawing a crowd of more than 32,000 to their match against the Wellington Phoenix A-League side in Wellington. The hype surrounding that visit drew more than 15,000 fans to watch a Galaxy training session, and Beckham’s every move and utterance was reported in detail by local media, or by fans in internet chatrooms. Beckham mania reached such a pitch that one fan offered the remnants of a meal consumed by the football superstar – including a single french fry – on an auction Web site and attracted enthusiastic bidders. Anticipation of Beckham’s second visit has been more subdued and ticket sales for Saturday’s match have been sluggish. Local media recently reported around 15,000 tickets were sold at a stadium which holds 32,000. Organizers said ticket sales were expected to gain pace in coming days. The Oceania team will include former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and former France international Christian Karembeu.
Man, there really appears to be no off-season in professional soccer. The MLS soccer season has been over for months now and yet, Becks and the Galaxy still have much work to do. If you consider that once these friendly matches are finished, Becks is off to Italy to play professional soccer there for the months leading up to the new MLS soccer season. David Beckham may get paid a shizzload of money for what he does but it sounds like he’s working almost 24/7 all year long. I love how Becks always has a smile on his face … I’m sure the folks who wait hours to see him in person really appreciate that. Good luck down there, you guys! I’ll be rootin’ for ya!!
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
Tags: David Beckham
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December 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 am
Sigh* Could this man GET any hotter??
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 am
That man never fails to impress!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
haha i love that last pic…the expression kills me
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
the pics of him doing the hongi (not pictured on this site )with a native are so cute and make me super jealous. i want to rub noses with becks :(
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 am
I live in NZ and my brother and dad are going to the game on Saturday.
Auckland has a c in it
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:02 am
No wonder he rarely smiles… he looks alot better when he doesn’t.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
yay he’s finally in auckland
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
He’s sexxy!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Trent,
Love you to bits, but “G’Day” is an Australian saying….
It should read “Ki Ora”…
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
New Zealand… possibly the most beautiful place on earth. If only I could live there : )
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Justaddmusic, I agree with you completley and it’s kia ora (sorry for being picky)
:)
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
It’s spelt Auckland …. and we are not part of Australia! … Saying G’Day to a New Zealander is kind of like asking a Canadian “What part of America are you from?” – grrr! OK – I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to my beloved NZ!
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
It’s actually kia ora, justaddmusic
kiwi love <333
December 4th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Wahoo! I’m looking forward to the game. Are there any other fans out there who will be making their way to Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday to watch the game? It should be another beautiful weekend!
The last time I saw the Galaxy play was pre-Becks (Landon was the star), so I am looking forward to it. I’m also excited to see some of the NZ All Stars…
December 9th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Proud Kiwi…… suckers