By Jonathan Sanfilippo
Staff Reporter
Many people in Seoul have read articles about him and seen his pictures in magazines and newspapers. They've looked at his posters and advertisements displayed in shopping areas throughout the city.
Now, they'll get a chance to watch David Beckham in person.
The 32-year-old celebrity football player from England is in the South Korean capital this week with his team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, as part of a three-match tour through Asia.
The Galaxy, who usually compete in U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS), will play a friendly match against FC Seoul of the Korea Professional Football League (K-League) on Saturday at World Cup Stadium. Their tour will then continue with games next Wednesday in Shanghai, China, and March 9 in Hong Kong.
``We're very excited to be here in Korea,'' Beckham said Wednesday during a news conference in a room packed with reporters and photographers at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. ``We're excited to see the country, and we're excited to play the game.
``I'm happy to be part of the Galaxy and happy to be here.''
Beckham is clearly the Galaxy's biggest draw, having gained worldwide fame through his performances on the pitch, lucrative marketing deals and marriage to British pop singer Victoria Beckham.
As a football player, Beckham, a 1.83-meter midfielder known for his bending free kicks and uncanny passing ability, was a member of England's senior national team from 1996 until last year, serving as captain during most of that span. He scored 17 international goals while playing in 99 matches and three World Cups, including the 2002 tournament in Korea.
Beckham began his professional career as a teenager in 1993 with Manchester United of the English Premier League. During 11 years with the club, he led the Red Devils to six Premier League titles, two Football Association Challenge (FA) Cups and one Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League crown.
In 2003, he left United to join Real Madrid of the Spanish league. He helped that team capture the league title in 2007.
Then later that year, Beckham left Europe and signed with the Galaxy, becoming the biggest football star to join a team in the United States since Brazilian legend Pele played for the New York Cosmos during the 1970s.
``We are very pleased to have David on our team,'' said Galaxy defender Abel Xavier of Portugal. ``I think any player in the world would like to play on a team with a big player with a big name.''
Surrounded by expectations that he would popularize football in America _ a country that has never considered it a major sport ― Beckham's first season with the Galaxy was instead marred by injuries. With an ailing right knee forcing him to sit out several weeks, he played in only five league matches for the Galaxy in 2007, netting just one goal.
Beckham's injury problems also affected his place on England's national team. Fabio Capello ― an Italian manager who coached Beckham with Real Madrid ― was hired to lead England in January and subsequently cut Beckham from its roster. Capello stipulated that Beckham must prove he is recovered from his injury and physically fit if he wants to return to the squad and play his 100th international cap.
``Everybody knows and everybody's been talking about games for my country because I'm only one cap away,'' said Beckham, who finished runner-up in the voting for the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) World Player of the Year award in 1999 and 2001.
``But with me playing no games (because of the injuries), it's only right that they pick players who have played games.''
Beckham has shown signs of regaining his form in practices and exhibition games as the Galaxy prepare for their MLS season, which starts March 29 in Colorado. He had two well-placed crosses that set up teammates for goals in the club's 2-1 win against Sydney FC on Saturday at the Pan-Pacific Championship exhibition tournament in Honolulu.
Now, Beckham and his Galaxy teammates are preparing to play FC Seoul.
"We'll do our best to play a good game against you,'' Galaxy manager Ruud Gullit said.
In addition to success in football, Beckham often draws attention for his life away from the pitch.
He made headlines in 1999 when he married Victoria, who at that time was known as ``Posh Spice'' of the English pop group Spice Girls, one of the most popular acts in the world at that time.
Throughout their marriage, the couple's lavish lifestyle has set fashion trends in everything from clothing to hairstyles to perfumes. They've become a constant target of paparazzi and fixtures in tabloids.
``I always like to dress nice and look nice,'' Beckham said. ``With my wife, I ask her opinion because she's got a great fashion sense.''
Beckham has used his status as a fashion icon to spark a profitable marketing career, with his image being used to endorse products in stores throughout the world. He's estimated to earn more than $25 million (24 billion won) annually in sponsorship deals while working as a spokesman for several large companies, such as Adidas, Pepsi, Gillette, Motorola and Walt Disney.
Beckham's football talents and merchandizing success have made him one of the most recognizable figures on the planet, even to people who have never seen him before in person.