Sporting worlds have collided in India with two of the world’s biggest stars pictured together ahead of the World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and English football icon David Beckham have been pictured together ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
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Tendulkar has been a regular throughout the tournament, but for many, Beckham’s attendance may not have been on their bingo card.
Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batter the cricket-mad India has ever produced and is a giant in the cricket world, while Beckham is one of the biggest names in world sport, having transcended football and as a fashion icon, business man and sex symbol.
Beckham is in India on a three day tour in his role as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, having arrived on November 13.
The football legend attended a UNICEF event in Gujarat and interacted with children, including playing some cricket, as well as celebrating Diwali and visiting the Gujarat University Startup and the Entrepreneurship Council in Ahmedabad.
Beckham was also seen before the match speaking with Indian players.
Tendulkar, who is also a UNICEF South Asia Regional goodwill ambassador, had another role, delivering the World Cup trophy ahead of the match.
Speaking in commentary, Dinesh Karthik said: “When he came onto the ground today, there was a lot of noise, people loved it.”
Harsha Bhogle said it was Beckham’s first trip to India.
Nasser Hussain said: “The two biggest cheers were when Sachin and David Beckham went out, and then when Rohit (Indian captain Sharma) won the toss, you didn’t have to turn around and see who won the toss.”
Beckham has remained one of the biggest names in world sport despite retiring in 2013.
Fresh off the release of the Netflix documentary on his life, which took the world by storm recently, the 48-year-old’s status as an icon is undeniable.
He has also been a popular attendee across world sport, including at the Rugby World Cup, Wimbledon, the F1’s Qatar Grand Prix earlier this year and the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
But he also courted controversy for his ambassador role at last years’ FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Beckham was an ambassador for Qatar at the World Cup in a deal worth a reported $277 million (£150m) over 10 years.
Qatar’s human rights record has come under increasing scrutiny as the World Cup draws closer with a Qatari ambassador calling homosexuality a “damage in the mind”.
Beckham responded via a spokesperson at the time, saying: “David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador and he has always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world.”