Sporting legends from around the world descended upon the French capital for the  NBA Paris Game 2024 on Thursday.

Representing the best of British football were Man United legend David Beckham and Lioness captain Leah Williamson who happily posed for snaps before settling into their courtside seats.

This year’s showcase game at the Accor Arena saw the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets 111-102 as the American basketball players brought the game to Europe.

Roughly 15,000 attendees piled into the arena for the third regular-season game to be played in in the French capital, after previous visits in 2020 and 2023.

David, 48, cut a casual figure for the match as he sported a beige bomber jacket along with a white T-shirt and dark trousers.

David Beckham and Leah Williamson represented the best of English football as they attended the NBA Paris Game 2024 on Thursday

(L-R) Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, David, NBA star Tony Parker, French basketball president Gaëtan Muller, sports agent Dave Gardener and Leah were sitting courtside

This year’s showcase game at the Accor Arena saw the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets 111-102 as the American basketballers brought the energy to Europe

David and Leah have both captained England at World Cup matches (left, David at the 2006 World Cup England vs Wales game, right Leah at England vs Brazil game in 2023)

TRENDING

KATIE HIND: Is there a happy ending to a week of drama for Kyle Walker

10.6k viewing now

Lauryn Goodman is ‘livid’ over Kyle Walker’s apology to his wife

10.9k viewing now

Brad Pitt, 60, and girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 33, on art gallery date

8k viewing now

Leah, 26, was also casually clad as she layered a black blazer over a Nike T-shirt and a grey denim maxi skirt.

Last year, David sent his support to Leah and the Lioness squad as they entered the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup.

He recorded a video saying: ‘I just wanted to say, wow. What a tournament it’s been so far. It’s been so much fun to watch and we’re all so proud as a nation of what you’ve achieved already.

‘Seeing you girls play as a team, it’s been really incredible. So continue to do so, good luck in this next game, and just know that our whole nation is behind you, as always. And good luck.’

Piping up from the other side of the room, David’s daughter Harper added: ‘Good luck Lionesses!’ with a wave.

David is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest ever footballers after his illustrious career.

Having played for the LA Galaxy, David is also a massive fan of basketball after watching the LA Lakers.

At the Paris game, the Inter Miami owner posed for a picture with former NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker, of the San Antonio Spurs.

The footballer put on an animated display as he hugged former basketball star Tony, 41, who was previously married to Eva Longoria.

Tony was marrried to Eva from 2007 to 2010, with the former Desperate Housewives star a close friend of David’s wife Victoria.

Eva is now married to producer Jose Baston while Tony is married to French journalist Axelle Francine.

David looked in good spirits as he hung out with longtime friend Tony  at the NBA game

The pair sat alongside Brazilian former footballer Ronaldo as they enjoyed the game

David cut a casual figure for the match as he sported a beige bomber jacket along with a white T-shirt and dark trousers

Ronaldo kept  it casual in a black hoodie and matching tracksuit bottoms

David Beckham goes shirtless to promote his own new perfume

Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:00

Previous

Play

Skip

Mute

Current Time0:00

/

Duration Time0:15

Fullscreen

Need Text

David was also seen sat next to legendary former Brazil forward Ronaldo.

Also in attendance was PSG star Kylian Mbappe, who sat courtside alongside his brother Ethan before being pictured chatting to Ronaldo.

The 25-year-old forward was also joined by his fellow PSG team-mates – including Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

David’s longtime friend and sports agent Dave Gardener and Gaëtan Muller, President of French basketball team Asvel Basket, were also seen in courtside seats.

The game saw the Cavaliers beat the Nets 111-102, thanks to a superb performance from Donavan Mitchell.

Donavan registered a season-high of 45 points – his 16th 40-point game in two seasons while playing for Cleveland.

He said he would ‘love’ to return to Paris and play for the US men’s basketball team when the 2024 Olympics begin in the French capital this summer.

Donavan’s quick start sent the Cavaliers to a lead they would never lose and he scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, making four 3-pointers after going 0 for 6 through three, to keep the Nets from coming all the way back after cutting a 26-point deficit to single digits.

‘We did some really good things in the second half and his ability to just put that ball in the hole is a difference maker,’ Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said.

PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, 25, was also spotted courtside at the NBA game in France

Mbappe and Ronaldo were later seeing having a conversation on the court at half time

PSG goalkeeper and Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma was also in attendance

Beckham and Co watched the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Nets in a 111-102 victory

Caris LeVert added 21 points in Cleveland´s first time playing outside North America in the regular season, while Jarrett Allen had 12 points and 12 rebounds in his career-best eighth straight double-double.

The Cavaliers won their fourth straight, improving to 9-3 since Dec. 16.

Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas each scored 26 points for the Nets, who matched their worst half of the season with 34 points in the first half and have lost 12 of 15.

Lonnie Walker IV added 20 points, providing energy off the bench with starters Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith both ailing and playing limited minutes.

The Nets’ struggles kept the NBA from delivering much of a show in front of a crowd packed full of sporting legends.