Beckham plays for rival cola teams

David Beckham is reportedly at the centre of a war between the world's leading manufacturers of cola.

The Manchester United midfielder has been made the star of Coca-Cola's World Cup campaign - but is also featuring in an advertisement for rivals Pepsi at the same time.

Coca-Cola is able to use the 26-year-old footballer, despite his contract to market Pepsi, because of the drinks giant's multi-million pound sponsorship of the England football team, says The Sun.

Andrew Coker, of Coca-Cola, told the newspaper it was "marvellous" to be able to feature Beckham on the special-edition bottle.

"We talked about various promotional activities with the FA and this was agreed on," he said.

But Pepsi, whose latest ad depicts Beckham taking on a team of Japanese sumo wrestlers, said they would be making legal checks about the development.

Beckham is reported to earn £1 million-a-year to advertise their brand.

The new Coca-Cola bottles, which promote this summer's competition in Japan and South Korea, will feature Beckham's Old Trafford teammate Paul Scholes and Liverpool youngster Steven Gerrard, the paper said.