David Beckham at Cricket World Cup 48 hours after missing Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral
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 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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero… Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented. Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma, their daughters and grandchildren x Rest in Peace Sir Bobby x @manchesterunited @england Today our hearts are heavy”.
Beckham was previously present at the funeral of Lady Cathy Ferguson, wife of Sir Alex Ferguson, last month alongside his former United team-mates.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are next in action on Sunday, November 26 when they travel to Goodison Park to take on in-form Everton in the Premier League. A flight to Turkey follows on Wednesday 29 as Erik ten Hag's side play Galatasaray in a must-win Champions League battle.
Two tough Premier League fixtures then kick off United's December schedule, as they go to Newcastle for a third-successive away match on Saturday 2 before hosting Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday 6.