Soccer megastar David Beckham is in Australia for a friendly match tonight between his team LA Galaxy and Melbourne Victory. Beckham who touched down in Melbourne on Sunday night, has enjoyed all Melbourne has to offer with a trip to Chapel Street and St Kilda but it was a visit yesterday to Melbourne’s newly renovated Children’s Hospital that touched hearts throughout.
After the media frenzy – that always surrounds the global star – subsided he opted to stay and walk through wards and wards of sick children, some terminally ill, and offer words of comfort, support and encouragement, a truly heart-warming experience for those around. ”You see the reaction, the joy he’s brought, it’s amazing,” says tour promoter Lou Sticca, who has funded the Galaxy’s four trips to Australasia since 2007, for games in Sydney, Wellington, Auckland, Newcastle and now Melbourne. ”David is unique. I’m in awe of him. He’s just such a fantastic, genuine, bloke.”
But, Beckham has so far missed out on seeing Melbourne’s masterchef soccer nut George Calombaris who was expecting him at his restaurant The Press Club this week. Calombaris is said to be meeting Beckham tonight after his friendly match with the Melbourne team.
LA Galaxy take on Melbourne Victory tonight at 7.30 pm at Etihad Stadium.
