David Beckham: The Reluctant Star

Tom Cruise (from left) and David and Victoria Beckham were spotted attending a USA-Paraguay match in L.A. and a match in Mexico. Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Four days into the World Cup, the biggest star on the side of the pitch has been everywhere, but that's not the point - it's the fact that he's more widely admired now than when he wore a uniform. David Beckham's presence in ads for brands like Home Depot, Lay's, and Adidas is as oppressive as the brainwashing scene in Clockwork Orange.

Beckham was at the opening matches in Mexico and L.A., but skipped the one in Toronto. His absence, rather than Justin Trudeau's, is what really stings. While Trudeau chose to watch the World Cup in L.A. for fear of Canadian backlash, Beckham's excuse remains unclear.

Cathal Kelly: Canada should be embracing its grudge with the U.S. and play aggressively. Meanwhile, the Hollywood Walk of Fame honored Beckham with a star - for his brief role in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., no less.

Beckham is 51, yet he looks like a sun-loving teenager. His lack of punditry skills means he only appears at big games, like the World Cup. What's striking about him is what people don't see on the field - he's a skilled performer, both on and off the pitch.

Beckham may be widely admired now, but that's not because of anything he's done on the pitch. He's more like a movie star - people want to see him, not just because of his talent, but because of his larger-than-life persona. And he's got it down pat. In fact, he's been able to channel this persona through advertising campaigns, making him a formidable brand in his own right.

While some may call Beckham's antics manipulative, he's not. That's just what he's been conditioned to do - perform. And people love him for it. In fact, he's the perfect example of an athlete who has successfully broken the mold of what we expect from sports.

As for Beckham's authenticity, it's not the point. People love him, and that's all that matters. He may have a reputation as a sellout, but that's what makes him so captivating - he knows how to put on a show, and he knows how to make people care.