He arrived in America to play a sport most locals ignored, and now his name is permanently carved into a Hollywood sidewalk.

Soccer legend David Beckham received the 2,849th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the World Cup returns to Los Angeles.

It takes a special kind of belief to move across the world to build a game people barely watched. Today, that gamble became a permanent part of Hollywood history.

WHAT HAPPENED

David Beckham received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. He joined the sports entertainment group alongside stars like Michael Strahan and Carl Weathers.

Fans wearing jerseys camped out starting at 5 a.m. at Ovation Hollywood to catch a glimpse of the former midfielder. Beckham thanked his family, including his wife Victoria, and his friend Tom Cruise.

The event aligned with the first FIFA World Cup match in Los Angeles. Beckham celebrated the moment before heading to SoFi Stadium to watch Team USA play Paraguay.

What the numbers show

• 2,849th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 2 MLS Cup wins during his career with the L.A. Galaxy.
• 2007: The year Beckham joined Major League Soccer.
• 5 a.m.: The time fans began waiting in line to see the ceremony.
• 2013: The year Beckham retired from playing soccer to build his business brand.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Can one person really change how an entire country views a sport? Beckham did not just play soccer; he turned it into a major business in the United States.

We should ask ourselves if modern sports stars are athletes first, or if they must become global brands to truly leave a mark.

THE OTHER SIDE

Some sports purists argue that Walk of Fame stars should belong to traditional actors and musicians rather than athletes. They feel the new sports category dilutes the original spirit of the landmark.

This argument seems weak when you see the massive crowd and global media presence, proving Beckham's star power easily matches any top movie lead.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

This honor comes just as the World Cup returns to North America, bringing soccer to a massive new audience.

Kids across the country will see Beckham's name on the sidewalk and realize soccer can lead to the very top of American culture.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Will Beckham's business moves in Major League Soccer help the U.S. team win a World Cup?
2. How will the Walk of Fame decide which sports stars get the next spots on the sidewalk?
3. Can another international player ever match the cultural impact Beckham had on American sports?