Meet David Beckham's best friend

Chris Birchall can walk down any street in Los Angeles without being noticed.

His best friend at LA Galaxy can't. But then his best friend at the club just happens to be world football's most recognisable man. And David Beckham turns heads wherever he goes.

Stafford-born Birchall is into his third season as the 'other Englishman' with the Galaxy and on course to help the franchise win the Western Conference of the Major League Soccer.

The former Port Vale man has got a unique glimpse into the celebrity world of the Beckhams, having become a friend of the former England captain and wife Victoria.

And Birchall would not swap lifestyles for the world.

He said: "Sometimes the attention is crazy. But he's used to it. He's had it since he was 17 or 18 years old so he deals with it well, whereas sometimes I feel frustrated for him.

"Sometimes it gets to him but, generally, he just laughs it off and he is a big enough guy to put it to one side. He is David Beckham and he is known everywhere in the world.

"Over here it's easy to walk down the street and not get noticed because there are so many different sports that people follow, but not for him. I am happy to go unnoticed.

"It must be a nightmare for him at times not to be able to go places and do stuff but he has come to terms with it, he is used to it and he kind of enjoys it."

For Birchall, the two-and-a-half-year stint with the Galaxy is the latest chapter of a unique career that has also seen him play in the World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago, for whom he became the first white player for more than 60 years after qualifying through his mother, who was born in the Caribbean country.

Now Birchall is enjoying life in California and the chance to see behind the public face of one of the world's most famous celebrity couples.

He said: "Becks is great on and off the pitch. He's a great player and a great guy and, considering how famous he is and how good he is, he is so down to earth and is a pleasure to play with.

"We are the only two English guys in the team, we got on and we have banter that most of the other guys in the team probably don't get and we have become close friends in the last two years.

"Off the pitch we've been out for meals and stuff although, at the moment, he is busy with his little daughter.

"He is a great friend as well as a team-mate. I know his wife and she is a lovely lady and they just do everything they can to look after and protect their kids.

"I get to train with him every day so I know him better than most. He is just a genuine guy who is down to earth."

Birchall got another taste of the big-time on Saturday when he and Beckham lined up together in the heart of the Galaxy midfield for a prestige friendly against Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, in front of more than 56,000 people at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The night ended in defeat for Bruce Arena's MLS side but, for Birchall, the event was another night to remember in a career of odd highlights.

He said: "They're great games to play in. Sometimes when Real Madrid are playing well it's hard to get the ball but they are enjoyable games.

"You learn sometimes you've got to be quicker on the ball and it's different from the week in, week out games that we're playing but it can only do you good.

"You're playing against the best players in the world and if you come out OK you know you've done a good job, so you just have to make sure you take what you can from the games."

Birchall's life on America's West Coast, shared with girlfriend Lucy and two-year-old son Ashley, is a taste of glamour for the former Port Vale and Coventry midfielder.

But the 27-year-old admits he would consider giving up his Hollywood lifestyle for an attractive offer from home.

He said: "I am enjoying it here. This is my third season, I play regularly in the side, I'm feeling fit and we're top of the league.

"Life could be worse. But I do miss home at times. I've got family here with my girlfriend and my little boy so that's good, but everyone misses home because we've been away for two years.

"But there are worse things than living in LA. I am living in Redondo Beach so when I finish training it's a good lifestyle but, ultimately, I'm here to play football and I am enjoying that.

"It's a temporary thing and I am always open to offers from teams back home. I came over here in the first place for the experience.

"It's a great team, the MLS is an up-and-coming league and we've got some great players coming from abroad.

"And when you're playing week in, week out with David Beckham it's great."

By Steve Madeley