Beckham scores another first

Is there nothing David Beckham cannot do?

With five weeks to go before the World Cup the England captain is to be Marie Claire magazine's first-ever male cover star.

Posing in black and white vests and black trousers, his Gary Rhodes-style haircut has grown into a rather more becoming blond quiff, and he glowers seductively at the camera.

If the picture alone were not enough to ensure the magazine flies off the shelves, the coverline screams "Becks Appeal: I can't dance but I'm an animal in bed".

Inside is a in-depth interview in which the footballer, who married Posh Spice Victoria Adams nearly three years ago, discusses family life, and being the footballer a nation's hopes are pinned on. The couple have one son, Brooklyn, and are expecting a second child.

Beckham's appearance on the magazine's cover breaks a 14-year tradition, one its editor says could only be broken by the soccer star.

Marie O'Riordan said: "When it came to putting a man on the cover there was only one candidate - David Beckham. He represents something for every woman - father, husband, footballer, icon. In a word, he's the ultimate hero."

In posing for its cover Beckham follows in his wife's footsteps, as she appeared in the same spot a year ago. The footballer, notorious for spending a lot of time working with the team on magazine shoots, said it was the chance to be the first-ever cover boy that made him want to do it: "I was like 'Wow!', I was so excited about doing the shoot."

He is currently aiming to regain his fitness for the World Cup after breaking a bone in his foot earlier this month.

The June edition of Marie Claire featuring David Beckham goes on sale on 3 May.