• AFP - Getty Images

    Bust it like Beckham: Soccer star takes a spill while kicking it in China

    Football superstar David Beckham, right, falls down after demonstrating how to take a free kick during a visit to the Zall Football Club in Wuhan, China, March 23. Beckham raised the prospect of one last stop on his global football journey on March 20, refusing to rule out playing in China after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends.

    Beckham is visiting China as a global soccer ambassador in an effort to revive the sport in China after years of corruption and scandal in Chinese soccer.

    Related story from nbcsports.com: David Beckham still makes more money than everybody else

    Related story from The Guardian: Why even David Beckham may struggle to revive Chinese football

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  • David Beckham dons suit and tie on the field for new 'ambassador' role

    How Hwee Young / EPA

    English soccer player David Beckham in action during a game with students from a middle school in Beijing, China, on March 20, 2013.

    By David R Arnott, NBC News

    Ever the style icon, David Beckham kept his suit on as he played soccer with school children in Beijing on Wednesday. Beckham is embarking on a five-day tour of the country in his new role as ambassador for the Chinese Super League.

    Chinese soccer has been marred by scandals and corruption, ITV News reports, but Beckham said he was "very proud and thankful for this opportunity." He would not confirm whether he was being paid for his ambassadorial work.

    The former England captain recently joined French side Paris Saint-Germain after six years with Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy.

     

    Alexander F. Yuan / AP

    Beckham speaks to students of Beijing's No. 2 high school during an event to promote soccer in China.

    Lintao Zhang / Getty Images

    Fans look on from behind a fence.

    How Hwee Young / EPA

    Beckham is in Beijing to begin his role as China's first global soccer ambassador.

  • Landon Donovan and David Beckham lead LA Galaxy to MLS title

    Jeff Gross / Getty Images

    Landon Donovan #10 of the Los Angeles Galaxy and his teammates celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the 2011 MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center on November 20 in Carson, California.

    Alex Gallardo / Reuters

    Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham hugs an unidentified player after defeating Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup.

    The AP reports on LA Galaxy's 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo:

    When David Beckham raised the MLS Cup amid the confetti and cacophony of the postgame celebration, the Galaxy felt justified in every expense and expectation of the experiment they started in 2007 with Beckham's groundbreaking move to America. In the final game of the English midfielder's contract, the high-priced, high-profile Galaxy were champions — MLS' best team all year long, and still dominant at the end.

    "I've wanted to be successful for the Galaxy for five years, and tonight, I have that," Beckham said. Read more.

  • Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

    David Beckham of the Galaxy heads for the dressing room following the friendly match between the Newcastle Jets and the LA Galaxy at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Nov. 27, in Newcastle, Australia.

    Australian fans try for a little piece of LA Galaxy star David Beckham

    By Katie Cannon, Senior Multimedia Editor

    I like the contrast of Beckham's nonchalant body language and the super-excited faces of the fans.