Posted in News on Jan 07, 2010.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who is presently on loan from his Major League Soccer club in the United States, the Los Angeles Galaxy ,to Italian Serie A side, AC Milan, passed on his birthday wishes to Chiefs when he visited South Africa at the start of December (2009).He was in the country to act as an ambassador for England’s 2018 – 2022 Fifa World Cup Bid and he also attended the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals Draw which was held in Cape Town on the 4th December.
KaizerChiefs.com managed to get a few minutes to speak to Beckham during his visit to South Africa last month and the conversation began with him reminiscing of a friendly match he played against Chiefs for Manchester United in July 1993.
Of that match which he played against the Amakhosi as a budding 17 year old starlet Beckham said, ``you know it was special because I was playing obviously for Manchester United which you know was my dream and I know that every time I have come to South Africa the people have been incredible to me. It has always been a pleasure to play in this country, so it has always been amazing”.
Prior to the game against Chiefs in July 1993 Beckham got the opportunity for the first time to meet former South African president and freedom struggle hero Nelson Mandela, talking of meeting the legendary man he explained.
``You know one of my dreams was to meet Nelson Mandela and at such a young age to meet such a great man was such a pleasure, and then six years ago (May 2003) I met him again. I have been very lucky to meet such a great man twice”.
In concluding his discussion with Kaizerchiefs.com he passed on his birthday wishes to Chiefs as they celebrate turning 40 saying, “Happy 40th Birthday you know it is always such a triumph to have a club for so many years everybody knows them all over the World and Congratulations”.
