A fan takes a selfie with Beckham.
Dubai - Former England captain David Beckham rocks Dubai to prove he has lost none of his star power.
Published: Wed 30 Sep 2015, 11:21 PM
Last updated: Thu 1 Oct 2015, 12:50 PM
David Beckham is so handsome that I don't know whether to kick him or kiss him. Well, that cheeky comment came from a former Argentinian footballer hours after Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone in England's heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to bitter rivals Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
Then everybody knows how Beckham went from villain to hero in England with his exploits for Manchester United in their unforgettable treble winning season in 1999.
'It was amazing here'
On the fan reaction in Dubai"The fan reaction is amazing here. I met so many lovely people. I've not been in Dubai for six years so it's great to be back. The store looks really great, you can see how happy everyone seems. It's amazing."
> His current favourite players "I'd have to say the obvious ones. I love watching Leo (Lionel Messi), Christiano (Ronaldo). From the England side, it has to be Wayne (Rooney). He's had a strong start to the season."
> His Champions League favourite"Well, who I want to win, and who I think will win - that's a different story. Or maybe it's not! Manchester United, obvi-ously, they have a good chance. It'll be interesting to see how things develop."
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And his good looks and a pop star wife instantly made him the game's biggest superstar - even bigger than his more gifted contemporaries like Ronaldo (the original one), Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Rivaldo. Now 16 years later in the swanky extension of the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, Beckham proved he had lost none of his star-power despite his advancing years.
Beckham arrived to a rapturous welcome for the opening of the new Adidas store in MOE. The man famous for that magical right foot hit all the right notes as his adoring fans just could not stop singing his name.
Dressed impeccably in smart casuals, Beckham waved at the fans and even signed autographs. Few lucky ones even managed to get selfies with one of football's most famous faces ever. "I was at the Starbucks here when somebody told me Beckham is here. I rushed to the new Adidas store and couldn't believe my luck," Abdulla Latif, a Dubai-based Jordanian, told Khaleej Times on Tuesday evening.
"I am a huge Beckham fan. And I love Manchester United," Latif smiled as he showed the videos he took of the former England captain. Beckham spent much of the time inside the Adidas store, giving 30 Instagram competition winners a lifetime opportunity to interact with him.
But those waiting outside to catch a glimpse were not disheartened either. They were seeking his attention as relentlessly as those free-kicks and crosses their idol once hit on football fields.
Some of the younger fans even sang 'Glory Glory Man United' to please Beckham who grew up as a massive Red Devils fan in London.
For Pranay from India, it was a dream come true moment to see his hero in person. "I have been a massive Manchester United fan. Beckham is one of our greatest players. I came to know that he would be at MOE today on Facebook. I am so glad that I came here with my friends to meet my idol," the jubilant teenager told this paper.
Baze and Harvey, Dubai-based Thai brothers, went back home with smiles on their faces. "My brother told me about Beckham's Dubai visit yesterday and we both decided to come here. I am a big Manchester United fan. We could not get too close to him, but still managed to take his pictures," Baze, jostling for space with the overzealous fans, said.
One British man didn't forget his sense of humour despite all the shouting and singing in the area. "Hey, how are you? I am waiting here for my mate David. Hope he sees me here and takes me in," the man told a woman who had seen him in the madding crowd.
If the incredible scenes outside the Adidas store at the MOE are anything to go by, the 40-year-old Beckham can still give Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two modern superstars, a run for their money in a popularity contest.
And yes, nobody wanted to kick him - especially the girls who could not take their eyes off him.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com
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