1
Football has given me everything.
Now that my professional career
is over,
it's never been more important
to me to give something back...
so I've organised a major
initiative for my charitable fund,
ending in a game at Old Trafford.
But before the match here
in ten days,
I want to be first person to play a
game of football on every continent.
On my travels,
I hope to visit people in some of
the most challenging environments.
I want to see how
the power of football
can unite people around the world.
(CHEERING)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
'Joining me on the trip are two of
my oldest friends, Simon and Dave.'
- Morning.
- Morning.
Morning, morning.
'They work with me closely
and I trust them completely.
'Well, most of the time anyway.'
Is the chef working today?
I can't believe you called
Victoria "the chef."
I'm actually looking forward to...
each place and each game
for different reasons.
Obviously, the rainforest...
I've never played in
a rainforest before.
Well, you don't
have to worry about...
More importantly, you don't
have to worry about an egg for me.
- You're not having egg? - No.
- Why didn't you tell me that before I...?
I got one slice of bacon
so you might have to have an egg.
No, you have no choice
if I'm doing it.
- You'll be eating bread.
- Can you cut around the whites?
I know you're looking forward
to Buenos Aires.
I'm excited about Buenos Aires.
- You haven't been to Buenos Aires before then?
- No.
Are you slightly worried
about going there
in the sense of the reaction
you'll get?
Actually, up until right this minute,
I hadn't even thought about that.
Buenos Aires to the Antarctic,
which is a bold move.
A bit of a silly question here.
What do you wear when you're
playing football on ice?
It'll have to be snow boots.
- It's going to have to be snow boots.
- Or skates. Can you skate?
We are in the lap of the gods.
If we can't get there, which
nobody has been able to get there
for the last few weeks,
it ain't going to happen.
We could always recreate it and
go to London Zoo in the penguin bit
and just walk past, kick a ball
and walk out of London Zoo.
No-one knows.
Can you keep a secret?
What next?
Better get some sleep.
I have just ten days to play
a match on all seven continents.
I'll be visiting places
where people are being helped
by various charities,
including my own "7" fund.
I will see how football
is helping to transform lives.
From Papa New Guinea to Nepal,
Djibouti, Argentina,
Antarctica, Miami
and then finally back to Manchester.
To achieve this,
every single part of the trip
needs to go like clockwork.
Starting with an 18-hour flight
to my first stop, Australasia.
MUSIC: Movin' On Up
by Primal Scream
Papua New Guinea, I have heard
such great things about the place
and the people.
Ready when you are.
What if they boo?
I shouldn't think
they're going to boo.
(CHEERING)
I was blind
Now I can see...
- David, welcome to Papua New Guinea...
- Thank you.
I am the minister for sports
and national events.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you for having me. Thank you.
I was blind
Now I can see
You made a believer
Out of me
I'm moving on up now...
- Welcome to Papua New Guinea.
- Thank you.
Out of the darkness
My light shines on
My light shines on
My light shines on...
When we used to travel with
Man United and Real Madrid,
we always used to
have amazing welcomes
every time that we landed somewhere.
So, obviously,
since I've stopped playing,
I don't tend to get too many welcomes
like that, to be honest.
PASSERS-BY:
Hi!
Hey, how are you?
It's good to get
it started, actually.
The trip was kind of put together
pretty quickly.
Seven continents
in a really short space of time
is an ambitious one
but I want to see places
where we're raising the money for
and that need a light
shining on them.
It's beautiful.
I mean, the landscape is incredible.
It's incredible.
I'm looking forward
to my first match tomorrow morning,
but first, I'm visiting
a farming village in the highlands.
It's amazing to think
that Papua New Guinea
is such rich, fertile farmland.
They can grow almost anything here,
and yet they have a problem
with child malnutrition.
(CHEERING)
- Welcome to Kumgna village...
- Thank you.
- ..Mr David Beckham.
- Thank you.
Gideon will be playing
in tomorrow's game
but first,
he shows me around the village.
Nearly half of the children
under five in Papua New Guinea
aren't getting
the nutritious food they need
to grow up healthy and strong.
So, tell me, why is there
so much malnutrition?
Because the crops...
You see, the crops are great.
The vegetables that you have...
Yes.
- It's used for income?
- Yes.
No, of course.
- Kids are playing football.
- They are. In the rain.
I'd like to go and see.
- You want to see them?
- Yeah.
As a parent, it's very sad to see
what goes on
in communities like this one.
Young children that are
not being given the chance
to live healthy, normal lives.
Luckily, UNICEF
and other charities here
are helping educate local parents
about the benefits of good nutrition.
(CHEERING)
(CHEERING)
The challenge about this is,
I have to be fit for
the 14th of November so...
I'm not worried about injuries
but there's a few people on the trip
that are worried about me
getting injured, I think.
Hello.
How are you?
Good?
You might want to
jump out of first gear.
Do you want to drive?
You sound like Victoria.
It's more beautiful than I expected.
I knew it was going to be amazing
but, I mean, it's stunning.
I don't know why I let go
I want to be your friend.
I'm on my way
to pick up the team bus.
What are you going to do if
the game gets a bit competitive?
Step off.
I mean, I'll have to get involved.
I can't not get involved.
- I have to say, mate, they look a bit fit.
- They do look fit.
The lads I will be playing
with are from intertribal teams,
made up of policemen and farmers.
With produce
being the main source of income,
there's been a history
of tribal warfare over land.
Football has gone some way
in bringing communities together.
Oh, I'm driving.
I didn't know I was driving.
(THEY SPEAK IN OWN LANGUAGE)
(THEY SHOUT AND CHEER)
(THEY SING)
This is great.
(THEY SING)
- You are doing well.
- Thank you.
You drive like
an experienced coach driver.
(THEY LAUGH)
The bridge? That ok?
- Do you want to get out?
- Jump off here and...
(THEY CHANT)
Ready for the match?
(THEY SING)
Looks like a German hat, this.
At least the tea will be warm.
This is not our look.
This is exactly
what my nan used to have.
(THEY CHANT AND SING)
Hello.
- Are we actually going to play with a banana football?
- Yeah.
That's actually not bad.
How's your touch with that?
That's not bad, actually.
- Bananas?
- Bananas, yeah.
When they dry down.
How are you? Nice to meet you.
Ok.
As we're going to be playing
with a traditional ball,
the gaffer shows me how to make one.
I don't think my ball skills
are going down too well.
- What do you think of the pitch, David?
- Perfect.
I'll have to stay on the
right-hand side the first half
and the left-hand side in the
second half, by the look of it.
It's a bit bare on the other side.
Already knackered.
(THEY CHANT)
It's the first match
he's going to be playing.
The match will last for 40 minutes.
I'm going to play
a half for each team.
Let's have a good game.
Ready to play?
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(CHEERING)
Seeing the enthusiasm
for the sport in this remote village,
you'd never think Papa New Guinea's
national team
sit 203rd out of 209 in
the football world rankings.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(CHEERING)
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
The yellows open the scoring.
Not my most graceful goal ever,
but we got one back.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Half-time.
With the game evenly poised at 1-1,
it's time for a real ball
and for me to swap sides.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Gideon, who took me around
the village yesterday,
comes on and makes
an immediate impression.
With the game in the balance,
it's time for a super sub.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Ah, take it right, then.
Orange throw.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Penalty!
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(CHEERING)
'The game finishes 2-1.
'Our matchwinner
is six-year-old Noah.
'Noah lives with his family
in the village.'
Can you ask Noah what he had
for breakfast and for lunch today?
(HE TRANSLATES)
(NOAH SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE)
His breakfast was
weet potato... - Sweet potato...
- ..and water. - ..And water.
- They do have sweet potato every meal.
- Every day, every meal.
No protein.
So I heard, to compensate
for the children not eating
the right foods,
some of the parents
provide them with fizzy drinks.
Yep, they do.
Do you think parents understand?
They don't.
It's just because of the low price.
Thank you for sharing that with me
and thank you for letting me
come to the village and play,
and be part of this game.
It was special for me. My first game
on this trip so... it was a good one.
- We are the lucky ones.
- Thank you.
Good, Noah.
Good?
Ok.
'My brief visit to Papua New
Guinea has been amazing,
'but we need to get going.
'We have almost 5,000 miles to cover
to our next destination.'
'Stage two of the trip
means a ten-hour flight to Nepal.
'I get my first glimpse
of the Himalayas and Everest.
'In 2015, Nepal was devastated
by two earthquakes,
'killing nearly 9,000 people.
'It destroyed villages,
schools and vital services,
'leaving millions of people homeless.
'The country is slowly recovering.
'I arrive in Kathmandu
'and the preparation begins
for my second match.'
Hey, how are you?
How many do you reckon you can do?
With a bag on your back. Go on.
- A couple.
- Go on, mate.
I thought he was going to say,
"I reckon I can do ten."
They'd just break.
High altitude, isn't it?
Come on, David, let me
see those muscles working.
Phew! That's enough.
News of our arrival has been
broadcast in the local media.
It looks like the crowd are just
as happy to be here as I am.
David!
Oh, my God.
'Nepal is facing a fuel
crisis at the moment
'so I jump in an electric tuk-tuk.'
These are great, by the way.
I want one of these at home.
Ooh!
I'll tell you what -
bit spongy, these brakes.
(HORNS BLARE)
We love David Beckham!
I'm on my way to Bhaktapur,
an ancient town
on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
Off road!
Uncle Albert!
Before the game,
I'm going to visit Padma School,
which was badly hit
by the earthquake.
(CROWD CHANTS):
David! Beckham!
David! Beckham!
The crowds are getting
bigger and bigger.
(CROWD SHOUTS)
But we somehow manage
to squeeze into Padma School.
I'm here to meet a student who is
going to play in the game later on.
- Hi, my name is Sarau.
- Nice to meet you.
Welcome.
(HE SPEAKS IN NEPALI)
Thank you.
- This is our principal.
- Namaste. Nice to meet you.
This is our cultural welcoming
where we greet.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Namaste. - Namaste.
Yes.
Thank you.
Now away from the crowds,
I really begin to understand
the scale of the devastation.
Where was you
when the earthquake hit?
- At home. - At home. - Yes.
My mum and my sis...
Was there any warning?
(HE SPEAKS NEPALI)
- Not. - No? Nothing? - Nothing.
(HE SPEAKS NEPALI)
- So you lost your home.
- Yeah.
- Can we go and see it?
- Yeah.
'Sarau now lives here
with his parents and younger sister.'
- Here is my tent.
- Ok.
Here is my mum.
Pleasure to meet you.
And that is his father.
Namaste.
Nice to meet you.
- You go inside?
- Yeah, of course. After you.
It's ok? Thank you.
Your son was saying that it was you
that went back into the house,
took all the family
into the open area.
(HE SPEAKS NEPALI)
- Yes.
- Yes.
Well done.
How long did the earthquake last for?
Yeah.
- And that's the kitchen? - Yeah.
- Do you want to see? - Yes. It's ok?
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
We have no gas
and we still cook here.
So, like, as you can see,
we are facing a fuel crisis
at the moment with India
so now, since they have run out
of cooking gas,
now they have to cut trees
from the nearest forest
which is just up there
and then they have to burn wood,
which makes life
even more difficult.
Like staying in a tent,
like it gets smoky.
- Do you cook?
- Yes.
- What is your favourite dish?
- Meat. - Meat.
- And your mama is a good...
- She's a good cook? - Yeah.
- The best?
- Best cook in the world.
Mums, always the same,
everywhere in the world.
'Sarau's extended family
also live in the camp.'
Namaste.
She is four years old.
My daughter is the same.
'It's moments like this,
away from the crowds,
'when people invite me into their
homes, I find incredibly humbling.'
Let's just go in here.
Namaste.
CHILDREN:
Namaste!
'All of these kids have been affected
by the earthquake.
'They're now being taught
in makeshift classrooms.'
What are you teaching the children?
- To play basket...
- Basketball, ok. Ah, ok.
- Can I join in?
- Yeah, why not.
Is that ok?
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
One, two, three, four!
Five, six, seven, eight!
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20!
Being a parent, being a father,
to see the happiness of the children
really is incredible.
34,000 classrooms had been destroyed
by the earthquake.
44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50!
The fact that UNICEF and other
charities got in here very quickly
and were able to actually
give the children back
a slight bit of normality
actually brings a lot of happiness
to the families.
Since I've been at the school,
thousands more people have arrived.
So I slip out of the back.
This is Taumadhi Square,
dominated by a 300-year-old temple,
the venue for my second game.
People always ask me
where is the best stadium
that I have ever played in,
I think this actually could be it.
I'm excited about this one,
actually.
(SPECTATORS CHANT)
I'll be playing against two mixed
teams from Padma High School.
This should be fun.
(CHEERING)
(WHISTLING)
'Sarau is captain of the green
captain, I'll captain the red.'
Ok.
(WHISTLE BLOWS).
Nice. Nice ball.
- It was a good goal.
- Thank you. THEY LAUGH.
'This is an unbelievable match
and I am loving every second.
'While I enjoy the game, I'm unaware
that the police are beginning
'to worry about the crowd
in the square.'
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
We need to go now, all right?
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Wait, we need to get you out,
otherwise it's going to be a crush.
'With the scores tied,
the game is cut short.
'But with just enough time
for the children to give me
'a traditional Nepalese send-off.'
Thank you, nice to meet you.
(CHEERING)
(EXCITED SHOUTS)
It was hectic, to say the least!
(LAUGHTER)
(DAVID SIGHS)
That was great. Everyone all right?
Bit flushed.
Little bit warm out there.
I tell you what, I knew
I should have put some sunscreen on.
(THEY LAUGH)
Two games down. I think it was 2-2.
That could be one of the best,
to be fair. That was amazing.
I enjoyed it, personally.
I could have stayed there another
half hour and played.
- If I weren't ushered out.
- Are you kidding me?
Have you experienced
what we just experienced?
I think it would be all right.
I think to come here and see
the reaction of the people here
is kind of incredible, actually.
Really incredible.
THEY CHANT: Beckham!
So, game two is done.
We move on to Djibouti tomorrow,
which I'm excited about,
because again, it's another place
that I've never been to.
We've got, er... five more games
to go, so onto the next one.
With the fuel crisis in Nepal,
it means we have to
stop in India to refuel.
It's a welcome chance
for me to stretch my legs.
MUSIC: The Look
by Metronomy.
By the time we take off,
we're three hours behind schedule.
My next match is in Djibouti,
east Africa.
A small country sandwiched between
Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
I'm looking forward to this game.
Africa has produced
some of the greatest ever players.
Djibouti is a country in one
of Africa's most troubled regions -
the east coast.
It's also one of the countries
helped by my UNICEF 7 Fund.
- Thank you.
- Welcome to Djibouti. - Thank you.
'After seven hours in the air,
it's nice to get behind the wheel.'
- You all right back there, kids?
- Are we there yet? - Yeah, we're ok.
'It's just like doing
the school run at home.'
So how do you feel
in our third country?
Excited to be in another place.
(ENGINE GROWLS)
And first gear.
I think this is part of the trip
that was always going to be
more challenging than
the other places we're going to.
'I'm heading to a refugee camp
two-and-a-half hours
'away from my third game.
'The delay in India means
I need to put my foot down
'if we're going to get there
before sundown.'
(CAR HORN BLARES)
There's some shit coming
out of that exhaust.
What's coming out the exhaust?
The joys, the joys.
(SIREN WAILS)
I'm not sure how long
this Land Rover is going to last.
Davver is looking slightly nervous.
Different day, different country,
same banter.
Ah, the smell of Djibouti.
The smell of your-booty.
It's like Only Fools and Horses
when the radio starts smoking.
(LAUGHTER)
Don't know where it's coming out of,
but it's coming out of somewhere.
Good job this is not one of the most
dangerous roads in the world(!)
(CAR BEHIND BEEPS HORN)
Wait.
'After an hour,
our truck has given up.'
- Watch the car, watch the car.
- I'm going backwards. - Going backwards.
Seriously.
'We're already up against it,
so this is the last thing we need.'
What?
It's this one here.
Push it up. Ready? Go.
Right, got it. Got it, got it.
Engine blew up.
It's not my fault.
Thank you.
'We have no choice
but to swap our car
'with the one
carrying the camera gear.'
- Good job it ain't hot, Davver.
- Pardon? - Good job it ain't hot.
No, you're right.
Good job we're not broke down
on a busy road either.
This geezer is devastated
he's had to give us his car.
Did not want to give us it,
by the way.
- Did you just pull over and say, "Get out the car, please"?
- Yeah.
We've got a radio in this,
and air-con.
- Camel on your right, camel on your right...
- Bump in the road.
There's a hump in the road.
Oh, it's a camel.
(CAR THUMPS)
There we go.
So much hard work has gone into this.
I think once people realise that we
are hoping to go to seven continents
and play seven games, the seventh
obviously being the Old Trafford one,
they will be pretty amazed by that.
I think it is going to be emotional,
to be honest, I think it is
going to be one of those days
that actually is more emotional,
as it gets closer,
than I ever thought it would be.
Do you think that
he might start you on the bench?
There's every chance, actually.
There's every chance.
I hope not, I hope not, but with the
boss, you never know. You never know.
'Once we get off-road,
the going is slow
'and I'm worried we won't
get to the camp before sunset.'
Ohh.
ALL:
Whoaoh!
Finally,
the refugee camp is in sight.
Ali Addeh was set up in 1991, around
the same time I went professional.
So while I was experiencing
some of the best years of my life,
the people who came here
were escaping
some of the worst years in theirs.
There are over 10,000 refugees here.
Many have escaped war
and oppressive governments
in neighbouring countries.
BUMP.
- Oh, ya...
- Ohh.
And I hear there are some pretty
good footballers amongst them.
Unbelievable.
- Here they are.
- To the right.
'Issa Ali is
an ex-professional footballer
'from Somalia who has been a refugee
at this camp for six years.'
(APPLAUSE)
'He's coached many
of these young footballers
'who I am about to play with.'
- How are you? - I'm fine, thanks.
- Nice to meet you.
'The camp has 14 official teams.
'Most are named
after a Champions League club.
'This evening, Real Madrid
will be taking on Borussia Dortmund.'
Thank you.
Ok, let's play.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(THEY SING)
I've got my work cut out.
Not only is this a gravel pitch,
but these guys have a lot of skill.
Taman, one of Real Madrid's stars,
gives me a great pass.
And I score the first goal
of the match.
The impressive Kadar scores
a great goal for Borussia Dortmund.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Mohamed gets one back
for Real Madrid.
(FULL-TIME WHISTLE)
The game ends in a draw - 2-2.
BREATHLESS: Thank you. Thank you.
Good player.
- Hey, how are you?
- Fine. - Good.
It's a pleasure to be here
and playing on this incredible pitch.
- Incredible place. You have a lot of good players.
- Yeah.
Players that play great,
good technically, and want to win.
- And it's a pleasure to be here. - Thank
you so much. - Thank you, thank you.
'I'm looking forward
to coming back in the morning.'
Toughest game so far, I think.
There were some really good
little players out there.
They pass the ball around so well,
obviously used to playing
on that kind of surface.
The way they control the ball
and some of their movement
is actually incredible.
Managed to score another one,
which is always nice.
You can tell they love the game,
and it shows the power of what
this sport has around the world.
It doesn't matter where it is
we've landed,
we have driven three-and-a-half hours
to a refugee camp...
and they're wearing
Real Madrid shirts.
I've taken it for granted that I have
been able to play for my country,
represent my country 115 times.
These guys have never had
the opportunity to represent
their country, which...
is sad. It's sad.
This is my room for the evening.
Very nice. Just, um,
got my clothes ready for the morning.
Of course, as organised as I am.
This is my bed for the evening.
With the net to keep
the mozzies away, of course.
Nice little fan action
going on there.
I had a quick shower earlier.
It's been a long day again.
The last two days
have been really long.
So... I'm going to turn this around.
So...
Yeah. The game was great.
On a surface that really wasn't easy.
I've got a bit of a sore toe,
and obviously,
with the other games coming up,
and then the game
at Old Trafford coming up,
slightly worrying.
But should not be a problem.
I actually got some letters
from some of the boys.
I could read you one of them.
"Hi, Mr David Beckham,
my name is Taman."
"And I am really happy to meet you."
"In fact, I am a great fan of you,"
"and I have a dream that I want to be
a professional player just like you."
"I have enough talent
and skills to get my ambition."
"But at the moment,
I am not able to make my dream"
"because I am a refugee."
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(CHILDREN LAUGH)
See you tomorrow.
(DOG BARKS)
Morning.
Come on, Neil, holding us up.
'It's 6am.
'I'm going back to the refugee camp
to catch up with Issa and Taman.'
This little man
is coming with me, I think.
'I arrange to see them
at Issa's home.'
- Hello. - Hello.
- How are you? - I'm fine, fine.
- I'm very well. How are you, huh?
- Good to see you.
Thank you for having me in your home.
- I have a friend with me.
- Oh! That's good.
You have some players
that are very good,
so where does this education
come from, the education of football?
Because you are living in a place,
in a refugee camp,
and to have some of the players
that you had
playing in that game yesterday...
They're very good.
Ok.
- And you played for your national team?
- Yeah, in Somalia.
- Until what year?
- '73 till '84.
Why did you have to
leave your own country?
(HE CHUCKLES)
- Which one David?
- It's me. - You? Thank you.
Live for us a strong life.
Without the help of relief agencies
including Unicef,
refugees at Ali Addeh would be left
without basic medicine.
This weekend, polio drops
were being given to children
under the age of five.
So this is Faisal.
He got the drops yesterday.
He got the drops yesterday? ok.
'I'm delighted that Issa's
three-year-old nephew
'has benefited
from the immunisation campaign.
'My time in Djibouti is running out.
'It's been a privilege to play here
and to meet Issa Ali,
'the man who believes in these
young football players.'
He's been doing it
from 12 up to 60 now.
He used to play in Somalia,
and then obviously,
when he had to flee Somalia,
he came here and became a coach,
and coaches these kids now,
and he's doing a pretty good job
seeing some of those kids yesterday.
A couple of them
have got a lot of talent, so...
He seems happy,
you can see he is proud of that.
I always say to kids,
"Unless you enjoy it, don't play it."
Not everybody is from Somalia
in this camp,
but there's kids out there
that are just coming together
and playing with the same colour
shirts on against another team.
It's a unity, it's a togetherness,
and it is not many sports around
that can do that.
You feel that
when you watch these kids.
My next flight is the longest.
15 hours.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
I'm going to need all my energy
for continent number four.
South America.
(THEY SING IN SPANISH)
I'm heading to Argentina,
the country that gave birth
to football in South America.
It's sunny in this car, by the way,
with you two.
Sunny?
En route to the match today,
we get an update
on the Antarctic leg of the trip.
It's 90% weather-dependent
at the moment.
The chances are, it could be off.
We've always spoke about Antarctica
being one of the main reasons
why we are...
doing this trip,
it was one of the things that we knew
was going to be challenging,
but it's one of the places
that we want to do, so...
I think that if there's a chance of
doing it, we obviously have to do it.
Without a doubt.
(SIRENS WAIL)
We're on our way to Villa 1-11-14, a
barrio in the heart of Buenos Aires.
(CHILDREN SHOUT)
This was one I was actually
really looking forward to.
I knew,
before we set off on the trip,
that coming to Argentina
was actually one of my dreams.
When anyone asks me
about regrets in my career,
I don't really have any regrets,
but this is one place
I would have liked to have played.
Villa 1-11-14 is one of the most
dangerous barrios in Buenos Aires.
Si.
'To help disadvantaged kids
from the surrounding neighbourhood,
'local team Boca Juniors
run a charitable foundation.
'I meet with a local priest,
Padre Morelli.'
- Hola.
- Hola.
IN SPANISH:
The Boca Foundation encourages
children to steer clear of crime
and instead embrace football.
I never thought I'd be wearing
Argentinian colours.
(CROWD APPLAUDS)
The padre wants to introduce me
to the future legends
of Argentinian football.
Messi es increible.
I played...
con Robinho, con Ronaldo,
con Roberto Carlos,
con Raul.
Y con... Quien mas?
- Ibrahimovic.
CHILDREN: - Oh!
In one match,
I played against Argentina.
I scored one goal.
Inglaterra - uno, Argentina - zero.
CHILDREN:
Oooh!
Today's game is between
Madre del Pueblo in blue
versus Boca Social in white.
I'm about to fulfil a lifelong dream
and play on Argentinian soil.
MUSIC: Donde Suena El Bombo
by Ondatropica.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(COACH CALLS OUT INSTRUCTIONS IN SPANISH)
Did you ever think you'd see him
in an Argentina shirt?
I think he quite suits
the blue and white.
He does suit the blue and white.
Maradona grew up in a barrio
not far from here.
Who knows? One of these boys may be
the next to lift the World Cup.
They've certainly got the skills.
- Gol!
- Chino scores for Madre del Pueblo.
But the match is still tight.
CROWD:
Oooh!
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(WHISTLE BLOWS),
HE INSTRUCTS PLAYERS IN SPANISH
A closely-fought game
finishes 2-1 to Boca Social.
(THEY SPEAK SPANISH)
I love the passion here.
You can see, the kids,
they have that,
they have that passion for football
and it's not even an escape
for them here, it's just life.
Football's their life
and that's why they have
the culture that they do have.
It's a special country.
After the game, I take a look around
the barrio with Padre Morelli.
He's been the community priest
for six years.
I'm told if I hang out with him,
I'll be safe.
FROM WINDOW: - Hola! - Hola.
It's dangerous?
- So-so.
- So-so.
(MAN SPEAKS SPANISH)
Hey! Hey! Un Quilmes!
(HE SPEAKS SPANISH)
Increible.
Gracias.
(WOMAN SPEAKS IN SPANISH)
- Gracias.
- Gracias.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN SPANISH)
'Nel, who I had just played football
with, is one of these children.
'He lives with his family
in the neighbourhood.
'He's 12 years old, a year younger
than my son, Romeo.'
DAVID IN SPANISH:
'Nel's mum, Claudia, moved her family
from Paraguay 11 years ago.
'She's now a street sweeper
in Buenos Aires.
'Nel, who wants to be
a professional footballer,
'shows me the bedroom
he helped build with his father.'
- Can you tell me about the trophies?
- Copas.
'To come here and be invited
into the house
'and be shown how they live and what
their passions are, you know,
'and to hear the dad talk -
it's all about his family.
'That's all he cares about.'
You know, I'm a passionate dad myself
and I feel that I am a good dad.
You know, I work for my children.
Everything that I earn
is for the future of my children
and it's the same here.
You know, there's plenty
of great dads out there
and we've just met one of those.
Back at the hotel, there's an update
on the weather in the Antarctic.
(HE LAUGHS)
- It's like getting your exam results.
- I feel like I'm in trouble.
We can go to Antarctica.
- We can? - We can. - We can?
There's good news
and there's bad news.
There's bad news
and there's bad news.
- There's three seats, basically.
- Three seats, basically.
Right. When?
- Tomorrow morning.
- We have to leave tonight. - Right.
Cos you could go as early
as 5am tomorrow morning.
You could be on the ice
for as little as 45 minutes
or a couple of hours,
and you leave that night.
- What kind of plane are we going to...?
- A big one. - A big one.
It's safe, right?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Ish.
- Ish.
We can't guarantee your safety.
Cheers(!)
We all leave Buenos Aires that night
and fly to Punta Arenas in Chile.
I'm gutted the boys
can't come with me,
but it's an opportunity I can't miss.
There's just time for a briefing
before we take off.
The temperature at the runway
this morning, we just saw,
was -18, -20 degrees Celsius,
so it's pretty cold.
There's a little bit of wind there
as well,
so we're definitely going to want to
be dressing up
- when we get off the plane there.
- Great.
'As the weather can change
so quickly,
'the plane could get stranded
out on Antarctica,
'so they have made
some backup plans.'
We've also sent three sleeping bags
in just in case.
Just in case what?
Well, just in case
there's a change in the climate.
- Ok.
- Yeah, just in case.
'But I'm also told some good news.'
Davver, can you hear me?
So the guy just said he can fit
one more on the plane,
so get your snow boots
and your expensive hat.
All right. No, I'm serious.
Well, what are you going to tell Si?
You're just going to run out
and not tell him?
All right. Five minutes, be ready.
All right, mate. Bye.
Bye.
He's over the moon.
I don't think he believes me,
actually.
'So we pick up Davver and Si makes a
last-ditch attempt to come with us.'
- Lose the jacket!
- Will I be all right like this?
No, you don't want to see that.
All right? All right.
See you in a bit.
Oh, I'm hot.
Are you supposed to wear
all your layers on the way there?
I put everything on
that was in my bag at once.
I feel like the Michelin Man.
'It's 8am. Davver and I
haven't slept for over 20 hours,
'but we're wide awake and excited.
'We're being squeezed
on to a giant cargo plane
'with international guides
and explorers.
'They will spend the next
three months on the Antarctic
'in -30 degree conditions.
'This is their first flight
of the season,
'so we're lucky to get on board.
'We have a four-hour flight ahead
'and our destination
is Union Glacier.
'These guys have kindly agreed
'to play in the match
against me and Davver.
'It should be interesting.'
(CHEERING AND WHOOPING)
This part of the trip
had been hanging in the balance.
But when we finally land in
Antarctica, it is just perfect.
'It's like being on another planet -
a windy, icy wasteland.
'I'm blown away, literally.'
I'm actually speechless.
I've never seen anything
so amazing, ever.
I'm so happy it's happened.
I'm so happy.
I'm so excited.
It's quite emotional.
It's quite... It's...
It's amazing, it's amazing.
Fifth continent. Fifth game.
And the best, without a doubt.
It was close, it was really close.
I'm so glad we-we...
we really held out.
You know,
sat in Buenos Aires thinking,
"It's not happening,
it's not happening,"
and I actually
can't believe we're here.
Cannot believe we're here.
We're in the Antarctic, by the way.
'This is my first game of the trip
against an international team.'
That part of it is one of
the most important things, for me.
You know, we're in the Antarctic
and we have different nationalities
from all over the world, you know,
about to play in one game.
Where has that ever happened before?
This is what this game is about -
proves that you can play it anywhere.
'It's also my first game
wearing a balaclava and snow boots.
'And then I see the pitch.'
Wow.
Unbelievable.
- Great pitch.
- I'm Hannah, pleased to meet you.
Amazing, nice to meet you too.
'Hannah McKeand
is a British polar explorer.
'She has skied to the South Pole
more times than anyone in history.'
- Are you excited?
- So excited.
I actually can't believe we're here.
- Ok. - But first you have to build a goal.
- True.
'I help them make the goals
with cross-country skis,
'a cane and tyres.'
This should be interesting.
I think they probably
just knocked it up this morning.
I mean, obviously it's been groomed
for months now,
carefully prepared
for this special visit...
Yeah, we knocked it up this morning.
SHE LAUGHS.
These guys
have thought of everything.
We've even got pitch lines.
Don't worry, it's only fizzy orange.
We can't find any records of any
official match played in Antarctica.
So I think we're about
to set a world record.
'Even though he's a bit rusty
on the field,
'Davver's going to captain one side
and I'll play on the other.'
Heads it is.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
MUSIC: Blue Monday
by New Order.
Tackle.
'If I wanted to injure myself
before Old Trafford,
'I couldn't have picked
a more slippery pitch on the planet.'
Offside.
'Davver's team scores first.
'Then I make us even.'
Ooh!
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
'After 40 minutes, it's a tie, 3-3.
'It's my first hat-trick ever
in my footballing career.'
It means so much that
you've welcomed us into your world
for just a couple of hours,
but it's so special
that you gave us the chance
to be part of your world
just for a couple of hours.
So we wish you all the best
for the next few months.
I hope you continue to have
this amazing weather.
(CHUCKLING)
And thank you. I doubt you will...
- Thank you very much.
- But thank you.
(CHEERING)
Stop, stop! Ah!
(LAUGHTER)
I'm too old for this.
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you.
(CHEERING)
We're in a hurry,
because there's high winds.
We have a window
for getting out of Antarctica
because we have to be in Miami
later on this evening, so...
We've finished the game.
Fifth game done.
Five continents.
The toughest one, without a doubt.
Antarctica - it doesn't get
any tougher than this one.
This one is done, but we're now
in a race against time
to get on this plane.
Fingers crossed,
cos if we don't, we're stuck here.
'I've now been awake
for over 30 hours
'and the cold and tiredness
is really beginning to set in.
'But even though I can't feel
my toes, I'm still buzzing.'
As far as we're concerned, that was
the first official football match
played on Antarctica.
Incredible.
I'd never thought
I'd have the opportunity
to do something like this.
I just wish my kids could see this.
This trip was always ambitious.
When we first started
talking about it, I laughed.
Physically, it's demanding,
but we always knew
it was going to be demanding.
I was ready for that,
physically and mentally.
Someone was looking down on us
for the Antarctic,
because this was the only day
that we could have done it.
With only three days
to the big game at Old Trafford,
we head to our sixth
continent - North America -
and my second-to-last game in Miami.
'I've travelled 8,000 miles,
and haven't had much sleep.
'My body clock is all over the place
'and I'm finding it hard
to tell day from night.
'At least it's slightly warmer
than the South Pole.'
(DAVID YAWNS)
I can't lie, I don't feel great.
Maybe it's going around the world
three times in four days
has something to do with it.
I feel exhausted,
and I'm slightly worried about
how I'm going to feel
for the game on Saturday.
People are going to look at me
in Old Trafford and say,
"He's gotten really old really quick,
he looks so tired."
'Miami is a place I know really well.
'I'm going to set
my own football club up in this city.
'I'll be spending a lot of time
in Miami over the next 10, 20 years.
'And hopefully enjoying seeing
a team that I own be successful.'
COMMENTATOR: Donovan to the top.
Beckham!
'I lived in America for six years
when I played for the LA Galaxy.
'In that time,
'I've seen the popularity of the game
grow incredibly.
'It's one of the few countries
in the world
'where the women's game
is as popular as the men's.
'I think parents see soccer
as a game in the US as a safe game.
'The contact of the game is not
as much as, say, American football.
'So, that's why a lot of young girls
go into playing the game.'
'Tonight, for my sixth game,
'I'm playing with
the Miami University team.
'I'm off to meet up with
a few of the players.'
Are you ok?
Did you enjoy tennis tonight?
Yeah? Good boy.
Well, you should get to sleep.
If your mum finds you're
on the phone, she won't be happy.
If you sing a Tottenham song to me,
as an Arsenal fan,
then I won't tell your mum.
(HE CHUCKLES)
You can't do that?
Hey, girls.
- Hello.
- How are you doing?
- Welcome.
- Thank you. Good.
- Welcome to the University Of Miami.
- This is amazing.
- We got you a shirt. - You did, ok?
- So you kind of match with us.
- Ok, good. Thank you very much.
- For you. - Thank you.
Ah. This is beautiful.
It's unbelievable.
It doesn't get much better than this.
'Coach and former
international player Mary Munroe,
and one of her star students,
Jasmine, take me behind the scenes.
This is our locker room.
This is like a full-on,
professional, you know,
it's kind of what we get when we play
for Manchester United or Real Madrid.
It's amazing.
'Soccer scholarships
help finance those
'that can't afford
a university education.
'Without one, Jasmine, who's
a 21-year-old criminology major,
'would not have been able
to attend Miami.'
Without soccer, I would probably
be at community college back home.
Soccer's really let me travel,
as well as get a great education,
as well as help me in my personal
life, coming out of my shell,
being more confident within myself.
Um... I'm so grateful.
Football should never be known
as a man's sport.
Over the years, living in Europe,
it has been.
But you come to
somewhere like the US,
and the girls are so respected
for doing such a great sport.
And that's exactly
how it should be.
Have you run into many challenges
with your daughter playing soccer?
Um... No challenges, actually,
apart from my wife.
- That's the only challenge.
- That's a pretty big one.
That is a pretty big one.
But she's not saying,
"No, she's not playing soccer."
She's just like, "Come on, we've got
three boys, they play soccer."
"Let me just take her to ballet."
(WOMEN CHEER AND APPLAUD)
'I've never played
on a rooftop pitch.
'I'm excited about this one,
'the fact that I'm playing
with two girls' teams
'which, I think, is going
to be very challenging
'because I think that these girls
know how to play the game.
'They're very competitive.
'It's going to be a difficult one
'but one that I'm actually
really looking forward to.'
'Hopefully, I will get through
this game without any knocks
'or any injuries. But I know
these girls are very competitive.
'So, um... fingers crossed.'
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(PLAYERS SHOUT INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH OTHER)
(CHEERING)
'Only five minutes into the game,
'and I'm taken out
by one of the Buccaneers.'
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
(CHEERING)
Former USA international Mary pops up
and scores a great goal for Miami.
It must be that lucky Number 7 shirt
she's wearing.
Jasmine gets on the scoresheet
as well.
(CHEERING)
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
'It's half-time. I need to change
shirts and swap teams.
'I hope I can keep up.
'The game is really competitive,
and I'm knackered.'
I'd love to go in goal, actually.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(CROWD SHOUTS)
(FINAL WHISTLE)
'A high-scoring game ends 7-5
to the whites of Miami University.'
- Good game.
- Good game.
'I loved this game today.
Toughest game. Most technical game.
'I think the girls
play with passion.'
You can see that the coaching that
they've been getting has been great.
And you can see the advantage
of having a campus
and a university support
like they have.
My body, at the moment,
feels shot from the travelling
and also playing games. But, um...
you know, I've enjoyed it.
Six down, one to go.
It's been a hell of a journey.
Now, to Old Trafford.
I've travelled around the world
in nine days.
Remarkably, I am home for
my seventh and final game in Europe.
'To arrive on home soil
is a massive relief.
'Tomorrow, I'll be playing my UNICEF
fundraising match at Old Trafford.
'It's kind of surreal,
considering, a few days ago,
'we were in the Antarctic.
'And now, we're on the way
up to Manchester.'
Preparing to play the last game,
the seventh game,
against the Rest Of The World team.
With the Zizou, and Ronaldinho,
and Carlo being the manager,
and Sir Alex Ferguson
being the manager of our team.
It's going to be amazing.
You know, I'm so honoured and proud
that the manager has given up
his time to be part of this.
Because it's such a special
and personal thing for me.
And, the fact that
we have such a big game,
without the boss being there,
it wouldn't have been the same.
So, I'm looking forward to seeing
him. I just hope he starts me.
TANNOY: Ladies and gentlemen,
the train is now approaching
Manchester Piccadilly,
our final stop. Thank you.
'Manchester has always
felt like home to me.
'You know, from staying in lodging,
'to buying my first house,
buying my first car.
'Back to a place where my dreams came
true. The best years of my life.'
We are now in Manchester.
The night before the game tomorrow.
Seventh game. Seventh continent.
And it's exciting.
It's, I think, around 9:30pm now.
Um, and I'm going to try
and get to sleep.
(BBC NEWS THEME)
TV: More than 120 people
have been killed in Paris,
and more than 200 are injured.
TV: Last night's attacks in Paris,
in which at least 127 people died...
TV: Police stormed a concert
venue where 80 people died.
Witnesses have spoken
of their horror.
How are you?
Hello. Hello?
- 'Hello. Zizou.'
- Hi, Zizou, how are you?
(ZIDANE REPLIES)
No, no problem.
(ZIDANE SPEAKS ON THE PHONE)
(DAVID SPEAKS IN SPANISH)
No. No, no.
Thank you. Ciao.
I understand.
He just said it's very complicated
for him. He feels bad.
Nothing we can do.
There's no issue. The game's
got to go ahead, no matter what.
No matter what.
It's got to go ahead, no matter what.
'Unfortunately, my friend, Zidane,
has pulled out of the game,
'out of respect to what
has just happened in Paris.'
- Nice to see you.
- And you.
- Zizou's just pulled out.
- Oh, has he?
Cos of the Paris thing. Literally.
But I understand.
Totally understand it.
- Was he over here?
- No, he's in Madrid.
- Thanks for being part of it.
- Absolutely, absolutely.
- Like to help.
- Of course.
- Good to see you, mate.
- Doesn't look like you much!
A copy.
(DAVID LAUGHS)
Oh, we're going for a kiss!
- ok. - Good. You? - Not bad.
- Ok. - Good to see you. - And you.
- You look good. How are you? - Not bad.
Looking smart.
- Zizou's not coming.
- He's not coming? - No.
Him, Vieira. Vieira, Karembeu.
- All the French.
- All the French.
Match day souvenir!
(HORNS HOOT)
- You all right?
- Yeah, good.
- How are you feeling?
- Not good.
Started stiffening up over the last
48 hours, the closer it got.
I was all right last week,
then, I thought...
It happened the other day,
been getting bigger and bigger.
The older you get,
the bigger it gets!
- How are you, boss? Good?
- Yeah. - Good.
- Terrible in Paris.
- Unbelievable.
- It's a bloody nightmare.
- Nightmare.
- Ok, if you wouldn't mind, we're going to do some photos first.
- Ok.
Then we'll do some filming.
'Every time that I am in
close vicinity of the manager,
'he makes me nervous.
'Even from a very young age,
I was in awe of him, as a manager
'and what he's done for the club,
what he's done in the game,
'it's respect.'
- We went to Papua New Guinea.
- Oh, right.
And we went to Nepal.
- Bloody hell.
- And then to Djibouti.
Then Buenos Aires.
Then the Antarctic. And then Miami.
- This your last one?
- Last one.
We didn't think that
we would get to the Antarctic.
- We were there for two-and-a-half hours.
- Yeah.
It was amazing.
- What was the temperature there?
- -20.
We used to get that in Aberdeen
all the time.
Despite last night's
terrible events in Paris,
a staggering 75,000 people
have turned up to watch this game.
(CROWD NOISE)
(CROWD CHEERS)
(CHEERING ECHOES)
(CROWD GASPS)
'I was lucky enough to play
professional football for 20 years
'with the very best in the world.
'And, today,
though tinged with sadness,
'I still feel the buzz
and joy that playing brings.
'These last ten days have given me
another lifetime of memories
'of what football
can bring to communities.
'I was constantly humbled
at the strength of those I met
'facing, hardship and adversity,
with a real generosity of spirit.
'They say it's only a game.
'But it transformed my life.
So, for me, it's the only game.'
(CHEERING ECHOES)