updated 2:33 p.m. ET June 3, 2006

MANCHESTER, England - When David Beckham went shopping during a break in England training this week, he was “kidnapped” in a prank by a teammate, then mobbed by hundreds of fans when he got to the store.

Just another day in the fishbowl life of one of the world’s most recognizable soccer players.

Beckham has been in the soccer spotlight since 1996, and his fame only grew when, a year later, he began dating “Posh Spice” Victoria, a member of the pop band Spice Girls.

He moved from Manchester United to Spain’s Real Madrid in 2003, but it’s not stopped the British fascination with “Becks” and his life with Victoria and their three sons.

“I come back to Manchester, where I spent 15 years of my football career and my life, and get the reception like I did,” Beckham said. “And even in London a few weeks ago, I had the same. I couldn’t get out of the shop and six policemen had to help me out.

“It does still surprise me, but it’s a nice thing to have that sort of effect — when people want to shake your hand or want to get autographs or want to nick your hat.”

Beckham fell foul of a prank by England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Wednesday, filmed for a television program. Ferdinand arranged for a car chauffeuring Beckham to drive aimlessly through Manchester’s less attractive suburbs.

“I saw the headlines after, but there wasn’t one minute that I thought I was being kidnapped,” Beckham said. “I just thought I had a really, really pain-in-the-backside security man.”

When the driver wouldn’t stop, Beckham decided to escape. Such is his world, he didn’t find the sight of a camera crew in the car behind unusual.

“In Spain, that happens to us every day,” he said. “It’s not paparazzi every day, it’s camera crews. I’m thinking, ’Right, if I get out quick enough and run, they’re not going to be able to catch me.’

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“The car was actually still moving slightly, so I just ... jumped out and ran across the other side of the road and ran for a black cab.”

Ferdinand jumped out of the car behind and chased him to confess the prank.

“It was very funny once I realized it was Rio and I did apologize for my language,” Beckham said. “It just was a joke. I always thought I’d always know if there was a prank, but not this time.”

When he finally got to the store, Beckham had company.

“I was still a little shaken from the kidnapping thing at the time,” he said, smiling. “And I turn up at a shop and there’s 2,000 people there. It was pretty amazing, it just rounded my day off when someone nicked my hat, as well.”

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With key England forward Wayne Rooney under an injury cloud, Beckham hasn’t faced the same intense scrutiny as at previous tournaments — something he’s happy with.

“It doesn’t change the way I prepare for games or prepare for training or the way I feel, because the spotlight on my life is there every day,” he said. “It is there to a certain extent, but it’s not been as much in this tournament.”

Besides, he has his release: playing soccer.

“I’ve always been quite relaxed playing football,” he said. “It’s where I feel happiest, it’s where I feel safest, on the football pitch.”

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