Superhero Manny meets superstar Beckham

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao’s entry inside the packed stadium did not escape the eyes of David Beckham even when he was out on the field facing the Philippine Azkals.

“I saw him come in,” football’s global superstar told ABS-CBN shortly after the match that was played before a roaring crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Beckham broke the ice midway through the first half, and carried the LA Galaxy to a lopsided but interesting 6-1 victory over the Filipino squad.

The 36-year-old midfielder, who made the girls shriek each time he went to the corner, had to leave the game in the 76th minute, limping a bit.

Beckham faced the crowd and clasped his hands. Then he took off his jersey and walked toward the direction of the Pinoy boxing icon.

He handed his jersey to Pacquiao as Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, jumped with joy.

“To play in front of Manny, I mean… wow. I wanted to play the whole game,” Beckham told sportscaster Dyan Castillejo.

Beckham was asked about the possibility of the super fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr, and said, “Who knows. That’s going to be an amazing fight.”

Beckham, of course, knew Pacquiao, considered among the great athletes of this era, and one of the highest-paid professional athletes.

But Beckham is Beckham. He is on the final year of a five-year contract with the LA Galaxy, one that’s worth around $250 million or $1 million a week.

Yet, it was so nice of him to come to Pacquiao, who easily makes $20 million per fight, and present him the jersey anybody inside the stadium would die for.

Jinkee texted The STAR yesterday afternoon and said she would have Beckham’s No. 23 jersey framed.

Pacquiao and his entourage arrived a minute before the first half ended, coming in through the west gate of the historic stadium.

He crossed the stands to get to his seat where Jinkee was already seated, and the crowd started to chant his name, drawing the attention of the players on the field.

It was all football for the 32-year-old fighting congressman, but The STAR had the chance to shoot a question, of course regarding the Mayweather fight.

“Wala pa. Inaayos pa (Nothing yet. Still working on it),” said the boxer, his wife to his left and his daughter on his lap.

Michael Marley of The Examiner wrote that billionaire Herb Allen is in the picture, trying to help put up the fight that should generate over $100 million.

But Marley also said that Pacquiao-Mayweather may not happen on May 5, and that Miguel Cotto might step in as Mayweather’s next opponent.

Whatever it is, Saturday night was all about football. All about Beckham meeting Pacquiao.