David Beckham has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beckham called the ceremony \u201csurreal\u201d as his wife, Victoria, and his friend Tom Cruise praised him at the ceremony.<\/p>\n
Cruise lauded Beckham\u2019s journey, saying it was \u201ca Hollywood story\u201d of hard work, determination and global influence on sport and culture.<\/p>\n
Rather than a traditional red carpet, the ceremony featured a green soccer-themed one to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been a dreamer, but I could never have imagined that an honor like this would come to a working-class English soccer player like me,\u201d Beckham said. \u201cHow fitting then that I am here today as we prepare to celebrate the opening here in the US of the 2026 World Cup<\/a>. It\u2019s a powerful moment to recognize how the sport I love so much has grown in this country over the past three decades.\u201d<\/p>\n David Beckham poses at his newly unveiled Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Photograph: Lisa O\u2019Connor\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Beckham , who spent six seasons with LA Galaxy from 2007 and is the co-owner of Inter Miami, said: \u201cTo stand here in front of my friend Tom Cruise<\/a>, the greatest movie star of our time, is quite frankly mind-blowing.\u201d<\/p>\n He told the actor: \u201cYou welcomed us to LA 20 years ago and you have been a loyal friend and an inspiration to me ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n Beckham and Cruise joined other celebrities at the Los Angeles Stadium, where a Hollywood-style opening ceremony preceded the United States\u2019s opening game with Paraguay, which they won 4-1<\/a>. Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, Owen Wilson and Paris Hilton were among those looking on as performers danced around a giant World Cup trophy in the middle of the pitch.<\/p>\n Katy Perry performs with Tius Luka before the World Cup match between the USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium. Photograph: Omar Vega\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Donald Trump did not attend, instead speaking to the US team via phone, telling them: \u201cI think you\u2019ve a really good chance of going all the way. I just want to wish you a lot of luck.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to the USA\u201d announced a booming voiceover, as a closeup of the city\u2019s Hollywood sign flashed on giant screens at the stadium.<\/p>\n A marching band struck up the music before being joined by singers including Future, Tyla, Anitta and K-pop star Lisa. Costumes and props were designed to evoke Los Angeles street art and the city\u2019s creative industries.<\/p>\n Katy Perry, who also performed in the opening ceremony, then went to watch the action with her partner, the former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.<\/p>\n Ryan Reynolds, actor and co-owner of Wrexham, was in the crowd for Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt\/AMA\/Getty Images<\/p>\n