David Beckham traded in his trend-setting Dolce & Gabbana gear for a decidedly low-key look – a checkered short-sleeved shirt, dark blue trousers and a brown belt – to match his new Real Madrid team-mates when the squad landed in China on Friday.
Thousands of star-struck fans and 100 well-wishers dressed in ceremonial regalia were on hand to greet the squad as they arrived in Kunming, in the country's southwestern Hunan province, by chartered jet from Madrid.
The England captain's outfit was soon spiced up with a garland given to him by one of dozens of young ladies wearing tiaras. "He's so good looking," said one fan, "and I like the way he plays football too."
And though many of David's admirers have followed him to his new team, there was at least one young boy on hand that hasn't made the switch. "I was disappointed when Beckham left," said one 13-year-old, who was sporting Becks' old number seven Man U kit. "I still like Manchester United."
Despite the fanfare, Becks and the boys, who were travelling without their wives and companions, had one thing on their mind – football. The rousing welcome was followed with a warm-up session at the local Hongta sports centre, where they'll spend a week of training to kick off the 17-day tour.
The team will be showing off their skills – and their headline-making British addition – in a series of exhibition matches beginning in Beijing on August 2.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
