David Beckham got up close and personal with a number of women in New Zealand yesterday, but wife Victoria needn't worry, they were just saying hello.
The England player pressed noses with a number of Maoris – a traditional greeting known as a hongi – after arriving at Wellington airport with his LA Galaxy teammates.
Around 500 people - many of them teenage girls - gathered to see the star who is in town for a friendly game against local side Wellington Phoenix.
The entire LA Galaxy team were then treated to a traditional Maori powhiri and Beckham said he was honoured at the reception.
Scroll down for more...
Welcome: Beckham exhanges a hongi with a Maori dancer at Wellington airport
Read more...
"I have always wanted to see it face-to-face. I would love to stand in front of the All Blacks and see them do it." Said the 32-year-old.
"It's just nice to be able to visit a country and be given a welcome like that...it doesn't happen every day." He added.
"The love and the passion we've been shown by the people has been incredible so far."
Scroll down for more...
Wellington's Mayor Kerry Predergast gives Beckham a hongi
Beckham is challenged by a bare-chested warrior, the England player said he was thrilled by the reception
Beckham played his first game in Australia this week and captivated crowds, playing all 90 minutes of the Galaxy's match against Sydney FC and thrilling 80,000 fans at that match with a goal from a curling free kick. Sydney won 5-3.
Wife Victoria is currently preparing for the Spice Girls reunion tour and was unable to attend either of the matches, but Beckham promised Sydney crowds that he'd "definitely be back with the family and kids."
Organisers of the match against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday hope to break the all-time record for a soccer crowd in New Zealand, the 31,000 mark set in 1982 when New Zealand played Kuwait on the way to that year's World Cup finals.
Beckham with manager Ruud Gullit and the LA Galaxy team
Ceremony: The LA Galaxy team were treated to a traditional Maori powhiri
Beckham rubs noses with the Maori locals in New Zealand | the Daily Mail
David 
Linear Mode
