Zidane pulls out of Old Trafford charity match in distress
DAVID BECKHAM’S star-studded Match for Children attracted 75,000 fans to Old Trafford yesterday but the terrorist attacks in Paris could not be forgotten, as French World Cup winners Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira both pulled out of the friendly.
Beckham’s mission to play seven matches in seven continents and raise millions for UNICEF was completed in rainy Manchester as Sir Alex Ferguson returned to the dug-out and Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Ronaldinho thrilled the supporters.
There was even a late cameo from Beckham’s 16-year-old son, Brooklyn, who drew huge cheers when he passed to his dad.
But the spectre of Paris still surrounded the Theatre of Dreams with security beefed up and Zidane deciding he couldn’t play after originally intending to travel from his home in Madrid yesterday morning.
Beckham revealed afterwards: ‘There was a slight concern about the game going ahead once the news hit on Friday.
‘Obviously it was terribly devastating to see those scenes. Unfortunately we see them around the world.
‘I understood why Zizou took the decision not to play. He is a friend first and foremost and he was very respectful to me.
‘He is a very passionate man. What has happened hit him and Patrick very hard. They didn’t want to play and I totally understood where they are coming from. I wanted to send my condolences to them and the whole country.’
Beckham, who ended his glittering career in 2013 with Paris Saint-Germain, was visibly moved during the minute’s silence before kick-off for the 129 victims in France.
‘Paris has always been one of my favourite cities,’ he said. ‘I have great memories, and not just from playing for PSG. I played my 100th game for England there and the support I had from the French people was incredible that day. To go back as a PSG player and finish my career there, win their first championship for 19 years, it has always been a special place. It was so sad to see what has happened.’
The Paris victims will never be forgotten but Beckham knows better than anyone the healing powers of football.
For the last nine days, he has played matches across every continent in Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Djibouti, Buenos Aires, Antarctica and Miami, before finishing with a flourish at the Theatre of Dreams, where he played for 11 years until 2003.
‘Me and Butty (Nicky Butt) and Scholesy looked at each other in the warm-up and said, “My God, do we have to do this!” But after 10 minutes, we got into it. Clarence Seedorf asked me to stop hitting so many long balls, I had to remind him that was what my game is all about.’
In truth, 40-year-old Beckham played like a man a decade younger and his perfect cross for Scholes to head Great Britain in front after 20 minutes was a lovely touch. He also set up Peter Crouch, one of the few players still active in the game, but the striker got his feet mixed up and allowed Edwin van der Sar to save for the Rest of the World.
Michael Owen, who had flown in from China to take part, showed he hadn’t lost his goalscoring knack by making it 2-0 after half-time from three yards. After Dwight Yorke had pulled a goal back, Owen made it 3-1 after 86 minutes when Raimond van der Gouw fumbled a shot by Ashley Cole.
By then, Brooklyn was on the pitch, two generations of the Beckham family wearing No 7.
‘We have raised a significant amount of money, we don’t know exactly how much yet, but it is definitely seven figures,’ said Beckham. ‘It was an amazing day, to achieve what we have is special.’
Those kids in Papua New Guinea with fresh water or Djibouti saved from malnutrition would agree.
It was fun in the driving rain. Ronaldinho wore gloves, Ashley Cole sent Figo crashing, Rita Ora entertained the crowd at half-time and John Terry and Jamie Carragher drew pantomime boos every time they touched the ball.
It won’t ease the horror of Friday night’s events across the Channel, but those at the stadium certainly did not waste the chance to pay their respects.