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Yesterday, we marked a historic day for the soccer world. Kylian Mbappe was officially announced as a Real Madrid player.

(FINALLY!) The French superstar received a welcome party similar to the one organized for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

However, July 16 also marks another grand unveiling in the beautiful game’s history.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham celebrated the first anniversary of Lionel Messi‘s arrival in the MLS.

This compels us to crunch the numbers of both presentations to determine which one outperformed the other just for fun.

Beckham took to Instagram and shared a picture of the day Messi’s ceremony happened, where the Manchester United icon is hugging the Argentine.

Additionally, he wrote a caption saying, “One year ago today, we unveiled someone. The dream came true.”

The Golden Balls added an extra four stories, fervently celebrating the historic arrival of La Pulga in the MLS. Now, let’s come to the numbers.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami presentation in numbers

Of course, a sold-out crowd came to then-DRV PNK Stadium, now Chase Stadium due to sponsorship reasons. However, the capacity of the Herons’ home ground isn’t more than 21,550. While the exact digit that turned up to watch Messi hasn’t been revealed to this date, one can consider the stadium’s total capacity as the total attendance for his presentation.

However, we know it was broadcasted on various live streams like Apple TV+, YouTube, and Twitch. You would be surprised to know but Beckham revealed that over 3.5 billion viewers witnessed Lione Messi’s Miami presentation. This number can be considered as a world record.

We are not trying to touch the GOAT debate here but Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr presentation at the 25,000-seater Al Awwal Park had garnered 3 billion views worldwide. The figure is undeniably large, but it pales in comparison to Messi’s unveiling in Miami. But yesterday, we had another remarkable presentation in Europe. So, what are the numbers there then?

Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid presentation in numbers

Kylian Mbappe was given a grand welcome from Real Madrid. The last time such an event was done was over 15 years ago when Cristiano Ronaldo switched from Manchester United. While 2009 saw CR7 set a record, so did Mbappe in 2024. The Frenchman’s presentation was held in front of over 85,000 fans in Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Interestingly, those fans who couldn’t grasp the free tickets for the presentation watched the presentation live on Real Madrid’s official streaming service app, ‘RM Play.’ However, Los Blancos haven’t reported the exact number regarding the viewership of yesterday’s event. So we can’t say whether it exceeded Messi’s Inter Miami presentation viewership, or, not.

In conclusion, Mbappe is ahead in the overall attendance, taking advantage of Real Madrid’s world-class stadium. Meanwhile, Messi, for now, remains ahead in the prospect of overall viewership.

Somewhere scenic in the British countryside, David Beckham rolled out of bed, made a cup of tea,

and started his morning the same way you did: checking GQ.com for the best Prime Day deals 2024 has to offer.

Well, okay, maybe not—but as of this morning, the legendary British footballer has a vested stake in the success of Amazon’s annual savings bonanza.

To understand 2024’s least-expected Prime Day cameo, think back to October of last year, when Beckham first brought his line of affordable colognes stateside.

To say they caused a bit of a ruckus is a severe understatement. Celebrity-backed grooming ventures are hit or miss,

but Beckham’s fragrances were specially formulated with his globetrotting sense memory in mind, lending them an idiosyncrasy absent from typical A-list cash-grabs.

Better yet, at $50 a pop, each felt as friendly and approachable as the guy with his name on the bottle.

Infinite Aqua Eau De Parfum Natural Spray

$55.00, Amazon

So you can imagine our surprise and delight when the entire range popped up on Amazon for a staggering 50% off. Infinite Aqua brings citrus and sea brine before shifting to florals with earthy notes. Aromatic Greens offers lush muskiness underlined by cedarwood and patchouli, while Refined Woods aims for a spicy warmth, highlighted by cardamom, vetiver, and tonka. For anyone who takes their scent rotation seriously, it’s worth noting that all three scents are eau de parfum instead of the weaker eau de toilette. Translation: their fragrance should last all day, rather than tapping out at halftime.

It’s a bit too soon to dub it the best cologne deal Prime Day has in store—the day is young, and the competition is fierce. But David Beckham launched his first scent back in 2005, making his run in the fragrance space almost as long as his 20 years of football dominance. If you’re going to trust anyone to upgrade the colognes on your bedside bureau, it might as well be the man with a golden right foot—and the MVP-caliber nose.

Aromatic Greens Eau De Parfum Natural Spray

$55.00, Amazon

Refined Woods Eau De Parfum Natural Spray

$55.00, Amazon

For every other worthwhile deal on our radar, head over to our massive list of the best Prime Day deals 2024 has to offer. To receive all our shopping intel going forward, subscribe to the GQ Recommends newsletter.

Tom Bower’s latest book, “The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power,”

delves into a captivating tale surrounding the reported rift between Prince Harry and David Beckham, influenced by Meghan Markle’s alleged decision.

According to Bower, Markle intervened to prevent Harry from being photographed alongside Beckham during the 2018 Invictus Games,

a move that significantly altered their previously harmonious relationship.

The narrative unfolds with Beckham and his wife, Victoria, attending Harry and Meghan’s widely publicized wedding in May 2018,

initially symbolizing a warm connection between the two couples.

However, tensions reportedly emerged less than six months later during the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.

Beckham, present to support injured service personnel, allegedly found himself intentionally kept away from Prince Harry due to Markle’s directive.

Bower suggests that Meghan Markle’s decision to restrict Harry’s visibility with Beckham marked a pivotal moment in their association. This action, viewed as an assertion of control over Harry’s public engagements and social circles, purportedly contributed to a cooling of relations between the prince and the Beckhams.

Adding complexity to the storyline, Bower portrays David Beckham’s subsequent actions as a form of “revenge” against the royal couple in the years that followed. Although the specifics of this retaliation are not detailed, it implies Beckham’s dissatisfaction with perceived slights, including the incident at the Invictus Games, prompting him to assert his position or respond accordingly over time.

“The House of Beckham” not only illuminates the intricate dynamics within elite social circles but also underscores the complexities of personal and public relationships involving royalty and celebrities. The power struggles, perceived affronts, and strategic maneuvers depicted in Bower’s narrative provide insight into the inner workings of influential personalities navigating fame and societal expectations.

Bower’s revelations add layers of intrigue to the ongoing public fascination with the lives of high-profile figures. The alleged tensions between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and David Beckham, as detailed in the book, present a compelling narrative that invites reflection on the complexities of fame, power dynamics, and the personal decisions that shape public perceptions.

As this story continues to unfold through media coverage and public reactions, it serves as a poignant reminder of the scrutiny and challenges faced by individuals navigating the intersection of royalty and celebrity in today’s world.

David Beckham has been accused of cheating on his wife, Victoria Beckham, for decades, but the former soccer player has always denied the allegations.

One of the biggest scandals was a claim made by David’s former assistant, Rebecca Loos, claiming they had an affair in 2003 while he was in Spain playing for Real Madrid.

As reported by The New Zealand Herald, Loos told Sky One that they first got physical after a night out and went back to Beckham’s hotel room, where they had sex for the first time.

Following the allegations, David denied any wrongdoing in a statement obtained by The Guardian,

“The simple truth is that I am very happily married and have a wonderful wife and two very special kids. There is nothing any third party can do to change this.”

David has since been linked to a woman named Sarah Marbeck and another named Danielle Heath, but he has continued to refute the claims.

The Beckhams have maintained a united front, with both insisting that their marriage is fine.

And, while there haven’t been any new cheating rumors for years, Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, exclusively shared with Nick Swift her thoughts on why the cloud continues to hang over the couple — and what they should do to dispel further inquiry into their relationship.

The Beckhams need to address the affair rumors once and for all

2004 came with a host of affair allegations against David Beckham, but he and Victoria Beckham’s course of action was to deny everything. “This weekend a series of even more absurd and unsubstantiated claims have been published about David and Victoria Beckham,” an official statement obtained by The Guardian read. “The couple [continues] to dismiss these stories and they will not be commenting upon them further at this time. Lawyers have been instructed by David and Victoria concerning these matters.”

To this day, both Beckham parties insist all the accusations were false, and relationship expert Susan Trombetti told Nicki Swift, “I don’t expect them to spill the beans like the royals, King Charles and Princess Diana, did. No one has explicit proof of him in the act, and until they do, it seems the couple wrongfully believes in the motto ‘deny, deny, deny.’ I think their stance is if they don’t discuss it with the public, it will go away.”

However, Trombetti added that the Beckhams should tell the public that they have privately worked out their issues instead of accusing the other women of lying, which would be another rumor about their family that just won’t die. “They are famous and people aren’t going to let up. The public mistakenly feels they have a right to know, and understandably, it won’t go away,” she predicted.

Maintaining a united front isn’t always best for relationships

Even though Victoria Beckham looked like a woman scorned on multiple occasions, she always had David Beckham’s back, which was one of the strange things about their marriage. Three years after the first cheating rumor, Victoria admitted to W Magazine, “I’m not going to lie. It was a really tough time. It was hard for our entire families.” She then shared, “David and I got through it together. No one said marriage was going to be easy. Yes, there have been bumps along the road. But the fact is we’ve come out of everything we’ve been through stronger and happier.”

Although Victoria standing by her husband’s side is admirable, matchmaker Susan Trombetti stated, “The united front isn’t exactly healthy, nor is keeping up public appearances.” But, she does believe that the two do love each other and have agreed on making their marriage work, especially because of their three children. Trombetti explained, “I don’t know why the denials continue at this point, but as a matchmaker, I would say just because [Victoria] is famous, doesn’t mean she can pick a good man. It means she can choose a bad boy like many other women.”

Relationship expert applauds David and Victoria Beckham for staying together amid affair rumors

Rebecca Loos’ account of her and David Beckham’s alleged affair seemed pretty plausible given the close nature of their relationship, but some rumors seem to have come out of thin air. In 2018, David found himself in the middle of yet another scandal when the internet went ablaze with talk that he had an affair with his daughter Harper’s teacher. “It’s a crock of s**t,” his rep simply put it, The Sun reported. Given all the allegations, it would be understandable if Victoria Beckham walked away from the marriage. Expert Susan Trombetti pointed out, “Marriages that have experienced infidelity can still work. However, when someone is a serial cheater, that’s a fatal flaw and one of the top five men you should run from.” She added, “But if it’s a one-time thing, marriages that experience infidelity can come out stronger with a better understanding of each other.”

Some cons of Victoria staying in the marriage could be low self-esteem, feeling suspicious of David, and unhappiness in the relationship, Trombetti shared with Nicki Swift. Still, she pointed out that the Beckhams aren’t without some pros. “They look like a beautiful couple and their family remains intact despite the upheaval,” the matchmaker noted.

Victoria Beckham recently put rumours to rest that she might have grandchildren on the horizon following her son Brooklyn getting married.

The Spice Girl had her say on whether Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz are having children anytime soon, after tying the knot in 2022.

The fashion mogul doesn’t seem impressed by the speculation and has shared her candid thoughts…

Victoria Beckham on grandchildren

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz had a lavish wedding ceremony at her father’s Florida estate in 2022. Since then, a slew of pregnancy rumours have ensued.

Extinguishing feud speculation between herself and daughter-in-law Nicola, Posh Spice has laid the rumours to rest,

snubbing the idea altogether. It looks like she isn’t ready to hear the pitter patter of little feet!

When quizzed on the topic in a recent interview for Vogue, Victoria insisted: “Hang on. I don’t think it’s happening just yet. Unless you guys know something that I don’t, it’s not happening just yet.”

Unusual reaction… parents with married kids are usually genuinely excited about the possibility of grandchildren.

Some fans weren’t impressed with the response, with one writing: “Unusual reaction… parents with married kids are usually genuinely excited about the possibility of grandchildren. I think she just doesn’t want to feel old.”

Another agreed: “Her saying it’s not happening yet as if it’s in her control.”

Although she seemed to brush off the rumours at first, Victoria did gush thereafter: “It’s not happening just yet. Hopefully one day if I am blessed, then that would be wonderful. But we’re not there just yet!”

The mum-of-four went on to praise Nicola, dubbing her as “wonderful” and claimed Brooklyn and Nicola make each other “super happy”. It comes after Victoria and Nicola put on a united display at the premiere of Nicola’s film, Lola James.

Nicola Peltz pregnancy rumours

Nicola’s post to social media in February left fans scratching their heads though – with plenty convinced the snap was a pregnancy announcement.

On February 22, Nicola showed off her midriff whilst holding a piece of paper. She captioned the snap: “Some Lola film,” referring to her self-written independent film, named Lola.

Although it seems that the image was nothing but a behind the scenes shot, some fans jumped to conclusions, claiming Nicola looked like she was intentionally showing off her stomach.

One wrote: “Omg I thought it was a pregnancy announcement,” and another mused, “Baby news I thought.”

David Beckham has revealed he will be a ‘yes man’ from now on to daughter Harper as she celebrates becoming a teenager.

The former footballing superstar, 49, is a dad of four, sharing his now 13-year-old daughter and sons Brooklyn, 25, Romeo, 21, and Cruz, 19, with wife Victoria.

But as his youngest enters her teen years today (July 10), she can remain safe in the knowledge to former England captain won’t be strict again.

David previously revealed he has only ever said no to Harper on one occasion.

Despite saying he is still firm on the kids, he admitted he always tries to encourage them – and said the one time he did say ‘no’ to his daughter left him thinking he never would again.

Speaking to the Sun when Harper was 11, David admitted: “I’ve only said no to my daughter once.

Harper is a dream, but the last time I said it, her bottom lip started to quiver and I thought, ‘Never again’.”

He claimed that this way of parenting is very different to the one he was used to as a child. Despite claiming his tough upbringing helped mould him into the person he is today, he said he didn’t want to fall back on the methods his dad once used on him.

David took to Instagram to wish his daughter a happy birthday, sharing a sweet compilation of images and videos from their time together growing up. The clip, with Bruno Mars’ Just the Way You Are playing over the top, showed a number of sweet occasions, from her first walking, to dance recitals and riding her bike.

There was also home videos of Harper wearing her mum’s clothes and high heels, as well as adorable images with her big brothers and quality time her her father.

The proud dad captioned the upload: “Happy 13th Birthday to my beautiful little girl Daddy is so proud of you , you have grown up to be a kind, generous & a beautiful young lady with the most amazing heart & the most amazing smile that we all love so so much. always be the beautiful person that you are. Harper Seven your my world.”

He made sure to tag all the family in the video, while fans and famous faces took to the comments section to share their own special messages on her big day. Among them was entrepreneur David Grutman, who wrote: “Happy bday Harper you are very loved,” while many more shared love heart emojis.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has followed in David Beckham’s footsteps by investing in an MLS franchise

after he was announced as a co-owner of the Houston Dynamos.

The ex-England captain blazed a trail for his old colleague, having established Inter Miami alongside business partners including Jorge Mas back in 2018.

In addition to his continued involvement with the Herons, Beckham is also a co-owner at

Salford City back in his home country alongside fellow Old Trafford legends including Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Now, the 121-time international Howard has joined NBA star James Harden in becoming an investor at the Texan outfit, which counts Ted Segal as its majority owner.

In addition to coming aboard with the Dynamos, the former Everton stopper also will become a minority investor at women’s soccer side the Houston Dash.

This is not the first time that Howard has become involved in team ownership either, with the retired American fan favorite having also been part of the ownership group behind USL club Memphis 901 FC in 2018. He even appeared for the team before hanging up his boots in 2020, making six outings in total.

Howard spoke excitedly about coming onboard in Houston, saying: “As someone who has dedicated my life to the sport of soccer, I am thrilled to join the Houston Dash and Dynamo ownership group. This opportunity allows me to further contribute to the growth of the game in the United States and connect with the passionate soccer fans who call Houston home.”

Likewise, ownership group chairman Segal said: “His wealth of experience across soccer, both as a player at the highest levels and subsequently as a sporting director and media analyst, will be invaluable within ownership as we continue to build a competitive and successful organisation. Moreover, Tim’s commitment to using his unique platform to positively impact communities in need aligns with the values of our organization.”

Speaking previously via his Daily Mail column previously, the ex-Premier League stalwart outlined his blueprint for how the popularity of MLS can be boosted in the coming years. Heralding the arrival of Lionel Messi at Miami, he said: “When David Beckham came over in 2007, all eyes were on LA Galaxy – and they did travel. But this is huge.

“If I’m an owner of an MLS team, and I’m into it for half a billion dollars, I should be able to spend money creating a superpower,” he continued, as he spoke with unbridled ambition. “Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle – there are major cities with everything you need.”

The former United States mainstay added: “The United States is in a battle with Saudi Arabia to be the next big destination outside of Europe. The Saudi Pro League has done some really good things – big names have gone over and many are flourishing. If MLS teams are going to compete, you have to allow them to sign bigger and better players. More money, more eyes.”

David Beckham’s strained relationship with Prince Harry is put under the microscope in a new book,

which suggests Meghan Markle was behind the Duke of Sussex once brutally snubbing the retired footballer.

In Tom Bower’s latest book, The House of Beckham, it delves into David and Victoria Beckham’s enduring marriage, offering fresh insights into their tumultuous relationship.

The book also makes explosive claims about Posh and Becks’ relationship with the Royal Family, particularly their deteriorating bond with Prince Harry and his wife.

David, the former England captain, 49, and Posh Spice, 50, were guests at both William’s 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton and Harry and Meghan’s nuptials in 2018.

However, according to The House of Beckham, David’s camaraderie with both brothers didn’t sit well with Meghan.

In his book, Bower writes how Meghan and Harry snubbed David and Victoria before their star-studded wedding, with the author going on to disclose a further clash between the two couples after Meghan and Harry’s nuptials in 2018. During the Invictus Games in Sydney, Beckham found himself in a puzzling situation as he struggled to touch base with Harry, reports the Mirror.

“Arriving on the agreed day to meet Prince Harry he was perplexed why officials were playing a dance to keep him happy, but away from Harry. ‘Where is he? ‘ Beckham asked the Games’ officials as he waited. ‘When will I meet him? ‘ he kept asking,” Bower writes. “Beckham was unaware that the Prince had ordered that under no circumstances was the footballer to be allowed near him. Photographs of the two together were forbidden.”

David was said to have been left confused by the brutal snub. It later emerged that the order had come from Meghan, who didn’t want any media competition from Beckham, or particularly, Victoria.

Meghan’s first official tour to Australia was a roaring success, with adoring crowds convincing her she was the new Diana of the Royal Family. The cherry on top was the announcement of her pregnancy.

However, behind the scenes at the Sussexes’ Sydney base, things were less rosy.

Bower writes: “Outraged that in the royal hierarchy she was subservient to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and the future Queen, Meghan shouted at her staff and allegedly threw a cup of tea into the air. Few insiders were surprised. She had been formally accused in London of bullying her staff . In her bad mood, both she and Harry were constantly searching the internet for critical comments about themselves. She was not happy to read anything flattering in the media about the Beckhams.”

In the press, the Beckhams found themselves portrayed somewhat unfavourably. While staying at their leased North Shore home, Harry’s slight went largely unnoticed.

Beckham is said to have remarked that it was “A bit strange,” as per Bower, yet he made no effort to contact Harry. Nor did he return to the stadium.

At this juncture, the pair were predominantly concentrating on their marital bond, their joint brand, and Victoria’s fluctuating confidence.

Reports claimed that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs once tried to invite Prince William and Prince Harry to some of his “wild” parties. However, strict “palace handlers” stopped them.

Diddy atteпded a meet aпd greet at Priпcess Diaпa memorial coпcert iп UK. He met both Priпce William aпd Priпce Harry.(Getty Images

Christopher Andersen, author of The King, said in an interview with Fox News that he spoke with Simmons in 2011, and the music mogul wanted the princes at his events. “Diddy invited both William and Harry back when, as he put it, the brothers ‘were young bucks getting into trouble themselves,” he explained.

Get Unlimited access to Hindustan Times E-paper and Archives at 1199/- per year When young, both princes were not strangers to tabloids- with one having seen some of his exuberant nights painting the town in London Clubs. Of course, Diddy extended invitations to his “wild” parties, hoping the royal brothers would join in on the fun. “Diddy made a point of inviting them to his parties,” Andersen told Fox News. However, the invitations were ultimately turned down by the royal family, and оnсе “William and Kate got engaged, Diddy got the hint and stopped inviting them altogether.” “As young bachelors, William and Harry might easily have said yes and attended one of Diddy’s wild parties. Thanks to their palace handlers, they dodged a bullet there.”On the Graham Norton Show, Diddy himself addressed the subject, “I was like, ‘Why don’t you come hang out with me?’”. However, by the time the royal wedding of William and Kate was approaching, Diddy recognized it was no longer appropriate. He humorously admitted to Norton, “Trust me, they’re off the list.” Norton joked, “Don’t ruin our royal wedding for us!” to which Diddy responded with laughter. Despite their encounters with Diddy, such as being photographed with him at a 2007 concert after-party in honour of their mother, the princes never attended any of his Hollywood parties. According to Andersen, Diddy had even aimed to secure an audience with the late Queen Elizabeth II, though that goal never materialized. “Diddy has admitted that he aspired to move in royal circles and was even angling for an audience with the late queen,” Andersen claimed. The ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ singer was arrested and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Andersen notes, “King Charles must be grateful that his sons’ encounters with Diddy didn’t include participating in the rap star’s infamous

‘freak offs,”

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