Football legend David Beckham made a brief appearance in Bangkok on Saturday where he conducted football drills and addressed a crowd of around 100 young fans.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star’s appearance, sponsored by the insurer AIA, also featured coaches from the English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur as well as local celebrities and footballers.
“I’m very excited to be here with you all and to play a little bit of football,” Beckham said to a group of youngsters who sat and listened to one of the sport’s biggest names on the artificial-turf pitch outside the SCG Muangthong Stadium. “It’s great to be back in Bangkok. I’m excited and I’m hoping you are.”
For about five minutes, Beckham conducted passing and dribbling drills with a group of prospective young football players.
“I have seen the determination of these kids while playing football during the training session,” Beckham said. “They’re all here because they love the sport and have a tremendous passion for it.”
For most of the event, scores of children ran around a seven-a-side pitch in an unorganised fashion. Passing footballs and playing among themselves, hoping to catch a glimpse or, better, take a pass from any celebrity present.
But some said they were too young to have ever watched Beckham play and only knew of him through their parents.
“My dad introduced me to him,” said nine-year old Pongpipat Tinthamwong. “When he told me about him, I started watching him on the internet.”