Man Utd legend David Beckham appeared at the Cricket World Cup semi-final clash between India and New Zealand, having not attended Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral in Manchester on Monday
David Beckham was at the Cricket World Cup after missing Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral
David Beckham made a surprise appearance at the Cricket World Cup semi-final between hosts India and New Zealand after missing Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral 48 hours earlier.
Charlton was laid to rest in Manchester on Monday as friends and family were joined by United’s past icons in attendance to say farewell to one of the greatest ever influences on the club and English football. However, one of the players absent was the former Manchester United youngster and boyhood fan Beckham, who has previously paid tribute to Charlton as someone he was always "grateful" for.
It’s unknown why Beckham wasn’t present, though his mum Sandra did attend. She was pictured on Monday paying her respects.
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Beckham was seen on Wednesday morning alongside India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on the pitch before India’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The pair were there on behalf of their work for charity UNICEF. Beckham then later took a seat in the stand as the hosts opened the batting in the first semi-final of the tournament – with Australia to play South Africa on Thursday.
Beckham appeared between innings in Mumbai as he spoke to TV crews after Virat Kohli smashed his 50th ODI century to stand alone at the top of that list, ahead of Tendulkar. Beckham said: “I’ve come to India for the first time, at the right time. I’ve been here for Diwali, I’ve been here for New Year and now I’m here for my first game in the World Cup and it’s very special.
David Beckham appeared at the Cricket World Cup alongside Sachin Tendulkar
“I’m here as Global Ambassador for UNICEF. I’ve been working with UNICEF since I was 17-years-old, I do a lot of field trips and they were put on hold when we went through the pandemic and this is my first field trip since then.
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My role as Global Ambassador is supporting and protecting children around the world and I’ve met some incredible children over the last three days, specifically young girls who are really championing for their future and for their rights. It’s been really, really incredible
.”David Beckham said he was 'grateful' for Sir Bobby Charlton
Following the passing of Charlton last month, Beckham posted an emotional tribute to his hero on Instagram, alongside a picture of him as a boy next to the footballing great, he wrote: “It all began with Sir Bobby.
“Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United… I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966.
