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For the second time in two years, the world's most famous footballer is back in New Zealand.
David Beckham fans turned out at Auckland Airport on Wednesday morning in full force, to welcome him back into the country.
Young and old lined the arrivals gate to get a peek at the superstar, while a Kapa Haka group from a South Auckland school welcomed Beckham and his LA Galaxy teammates in traditional Kiwi style.
Some fans flew up from Christchurch especially for the event, and others dressed up to get his attention.
Beckham and his LA Galaxy team are in the country to play
against an Oceania All-Stars team in Auckland on Saturday
night.
Beckham's first visit to New Zealand a year ago was a massive
success with 31,000 fans turning out to see him.
The key to Saturday's game's success is the novelty of Beckham turning up to play the local boys.
However, as it is, Beckhams second visit has lost some novelty compared to the first.
Just 15,000 tickets have been pre-sold. The Auckland Regional Council needs around 19,000 sold to break even.
"There's no danger that the rate payer may have to foot a bill. We run Mount Smart Stadium as a business unit, it has it's own balance sheet, it's own bottom line, if we run the stadium with an annual operating surplus then that goes to pay off debt," assures Lance Vavoort, ARC Parks Manager.
For their part, the Galaxy - a team under pressure back home to lift their performances - are taking the game seriously.
"We're using this game as a stepping stone in building a successful team for 2009. We think the game is very important for our players," said Bruce Arena, Galaxy head coach.
