Beckham pleases fans in Rio

Rio de Janeiro: Former England captain David Beckham posed for photographs and signed autographs with Brazilian fans after arriving in Rio de Janeiro for a promotional visit.

Beckham is expected to remain in Brazil until Sunday and his advisers were tight-lipped about the purpose of the trip, reported Xinhua. According to media reports, the 38-year-old will be a VIP guest during Saturday`s Parade of Champions at Rio`s Sambadrome, marking the climax of the annual Carnival celebrations. Beckham was shadowed by paparazzi who photographed him shirtless on his hotel balcony overlooking Ipanema beach in Rio`s trendy south. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy midfielder was last month unveiled as the owner of a new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.