David Beckham and Lionel Messi are colleagues at Inter Miami but will be on opposite sides during England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday. Beckham, a Manchester United legend, is expected to be among the spectators at the Atlanta Stadium, having been spotted passionately cheering on the Three Lions during their quarter-final victory over Norway.
Ticket Prices and Beckham's Wealth
Tickets for the blockbuster semi-final have become some of the most sought-after of the tournament, with resale prices starting at around £2,000. But Beckham is unlikely to lose any sleep over the cost, thanks to the extraordinary fortune he has built up during and after his playing career.
The 51-year-old began amassing his wealth during an 11-year spell with boyhood club Manchester United, where he reportedly earned a peak salary of around £100,000 a week. Beckham went on to earn millions more at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain before retiring in 2013. However, his earning power has only grown since retirement.
Global Celebrity and Endorsements
Beckham’s global celebrity status, cemented by his marriage to former Spice Girls star Victoria Beckham, has helped transform him into one of the world’s most marketable sport stars. The former England captain, who was knighted last November, has enjoyed lucrative endorsement deals with brands including Adidas, Pepsi and Hugo Boss.
He also co-owns MLS side Inter Miami, now valued at a staggering $1.45 billion (£1.07 billion). Earlier this year, Beckham became the UK’s first billionaire sportsman, with the collective wealth of him and his wife Victoria reaching an astonishing £1.185 billion, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.
Messi's Net Worth
That remarkable figure even eclipses the fortune of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. The Argentina captain, who now plays for Beckham’s Inter Miami side, is set to face England for the first time in his career in Wednesday night’s World Cup semi-final.
According to Forbes, Messi is worth an estimated £833 million and receives an annual salary of £18.5 million – more than double that of the next highest-paid MLS star. He earns a substantial income away from the pitch too, thanks to endorsement deals with Adidas, Mastercard and Pepsi, while he also has an option to acquire an equity stake in Inter Miami after he retires.
However, that net worth figure puts him behind long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reportedly worth more than £900 million.
