On July 26, 2003, Real Madrid landed at Kunming Airport in south China in the midst of a typhoon warning for their first tour of Asia.
The signing of David Beckham had taken Real Madrid's stature to another level and, with the Englishman adored in Asia, the squad were receiving a lot of attention.
"I understand the media's interest in David, but we've come with 25 Real Madrid players," said general director Jorge Valdano.
"When I read that Beckham was going to wear the No.23 and not the No.7, I tried to get shirts, which were replicas, with that number. It was impossible," local shopkeeper Zhong Baohua said.
"They got there before me. No matter what I offered, there wasn't a way."
The impact of Beckham's move to Real Madrid was clear off the pitch as Adidas felt the need to comment on the volume of merchandise the superstar was shifting.
"Put Beckham's name on any product and Real Madrid didn't stop selling," an Adidas spokesman said.
While the man himself was clear in the reason he moved to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
"From what I know, Real Madrid have signed me to play football," Beckham said himself.
Possibly
69
He hit the ball that was nice to see him. I thought it was an overrated and the truth is that I was surprised
Perfectbr
62
Beautiful the retired summer shirt taking the fresh one in the park.
apathetic
56
One last thing of this type. Great player, excellent professional, Real Madrid legend and mediated Real Madrid to another level.
allisonon
55
I remember that Madrid snatched Beckam from us and we had to keep the second option, Ronaldinho: D
ppstreamg
54
When they presented it I thought I came to sell shirts and thank you. To the few parties already it was the one that more ran of the equipment, always defending and giving support. So much that he ended up playing midfielder. He was never the most technical nor the fastest but surprisingly he was the one who worked the most. They say in the United Kingdom that Beckham as a young man was not a better shooter than the others, but that after each training he stayed for a while longer, pulling on set pieces and improving because of stubbornness
tantrum
38
I am one of those who believes that Madrid arrived a little late. But the truth was a crack. It is generation although it has gained less titles than those of the '3 consecutive champions' will remain for the history by the talent that they had.