Free Republic

The immense popularity enjoyed by Pope Francis ever since his election in 2013 has precipitated sharply during the past year, and he no longer ranks among the top ten most admired men in the world, according to a massive new study involving 31,000 interviews.

David Beckham's move to Los Angeles was supposed to transform the status of American soccer. He and his wife Victoria arrived as the UK's biggest celebrities. Now he has played his last US game, did Americans really fall for the allure of Brand Beckham? As he sat on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport one evening in July 2007, David Beckham knew what was expected of him. His new employers, the LA Galaxy, had committed a huge sum - reportedly $32.5m (£20m) over the next five years - for the benefits of his footballing services. But it wasn't just...

GOLDENBALLS David Beckham had a security scare during a bizarre TV stunt where a presenter wearing yellow rubber gloves tried to grab his genitals. Blonde Italian TV star Elena Di Cioccio carried out the 'attack' on a stunned Beckham, 34, as part of a popular TV show called Le Iene (The Hyenas) as he gave a TV interview. Ms Di Cioccio ponced on the former Manchester United star who is now on loan at AC Milan saying she wanted to see 'how he measured up' after it emerged he had been dropped as a Giorgio Armani underwear model by Cristiano...

Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora has offered English soccer ace David Beckham free guitar lessons. The guitarist is a big fan of the LA Galaxy star and has urged him to give call him if he ever feels like learning the instrument. He says: "Beckham is a good guy. He's done so much for soccer in the US. He's such a big name and brought soccer to a different level and its now played in schools. It's just a pity that he doesn't get to play more as he's been injured. "David should come and see me. I'd gladly give...

FOOTBALL stars David Beckham and Wayne Rooney are the targets of a chilling al-Qaeda murder plot. A terrifying internet video call to action for supporters of Osama bin Laden also fingers ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for assassination. It was launched this week on a Glasgow-based website named after al-Qaeda that regularly supports attacks on Westerners. It has also been uploaded to the massively popular YouTube video-share site, visited by millions of youngsters. The sports stars are branded EVIL for being CRIMINAL influences on young Muslims. The sick film shows a picture of Manchester United ace Rooney with the headline: "Why...

Victoria Beckham had her chance. Now, it's her husband's turn to take on the small screen. David Beckham's Soccer USA, a new 30-minute show starring the fleet-footed jock, kicks off a 13-episode run July 25 on Fox Soccer. The series focuses on Beckham's first season with the Los Angeles Galaxy and will feature game footage and behind-the-scenes interviews with the power player. Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment and Major League Soccer's United Marketing branch are coproducing the project, which will be hosted by British TV personality Natalie Pinkham. The first episode is said to center on Becks' first game as a...

Scientology's chief cheerleader Tom Cruise helped tempt David Beckham to L.A., fueling speculation the soccer ace and his wife may become the church’s next celebrity converts. Beckham said yesterday a late-night phone chat with the “Mission: Impossible” star helped seal his decision to move stateside. The soccer great and his wife, Victoria (Posh Spice) Beckham, are close buddies with Cruise and his spouse, Katie Holmes. “I talked with [Cruise] for about an hour last night and an hour the night before,” Beckham said at a news conference held yesterday to discuss his five-year, $250 million deal with the Los Angeles...

David Beckham has admitted that he is stunned by Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello's decision to call time on his career at the Spanish giants. Capello is adamant that the former England skipper has played his last match in a Madrid shirt after the 31-year-old decided to sign a 250-million-dollar deal to play for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States...

David Beckham will leave Real Madrid and join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy at the end of the season. The 31-year-old former England captain will sign a five-year deal, reportedly worth £128m. Beckham said: "This week Real asked me to make a decision regarding their offer to extend my contract. "After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy." In a statement, Beckham continued: "I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome...

There was a time when men's hairstyles only came in one form: short. Close-cropped, clean cut and, frankly, a bit dull, short was pretty much it when it came to cutting men's hair. -snip- Braso attributes the new hairstyles to men's fashion trends that favor romantic fabrics like velvet. "Everything in fashion is sort of romantic and soft, almost dandyish," he said. "In a way, hair is sort of following that." -snip- But Braso said not to discount fashion as a factor in the move toward longer locks. As a whole, he said, men are edging closer to a hair-consciousness...

England captain David Beckham has insisted he wants to stay at Real Madrid for the rest of his career. The 29-year-old, who moved to Real from Manchester United in 2003, has moved to scotch rumours that he was keen for a move back to the Premiership "When I left United, I thought I'd end my career at Real Madrid - that is what I want," Beckham told Real Madrid TV. "If there is another deal I want to stay here. My family are happy and that is the most important thing for me."