November 4 – A painting of David Beckham’s (pictured) footprint has sold $500,000 (£300,000) at an auction in Doha in the run-up to the England-Brazil friendly fixture there later this month.
The work, entitled “David Beckham – A Celebration” by renowned contemporary artist Sacha Jafri, is an official record of the Englishman’s achievements both on and off the sporting field.
Jafri’s 7ft by 6ft painting is intended to represent different aspects of the footballer’s life and his Greenwich football academy.
In addition to Beckham’s footprint, the picture also includes handprints of footballers John Terry, Cesc Fabregas, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Gascoigne, Ruud Gullit, Paul Merson and Gianfranco Zola.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, who now turns out for Los Angeles Galaxy and will join AC Milan for a new loan term in January, is expected to arrive in the Qatari capital for the match between Brazil and England.
This will be his second appearance in the country in 2009 after having already played a friendly with AC Milan in Doha earlier this year.
Qatar is bidding to become the first World Cup host from the Middle East in 2022, and has a history of hosting top-class sporting events over the past two decades.
Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, the chief executive of Qatar 2022, said: ”We are very honoured to welcome two such fantastic sides to Qatar, and we will take this opportunity to show the world our great hosting capabilities, our wonderful fans and above all our warm and hospitable nation.
“We are confident that everyone visiting our country for this classic encounter in international football will want to return for a historic first ever World Cup in the Middle East in 2022.”