David Beckham and Lionel Messi are colleagues at Inter Miami but will be enemies during England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina
Lionel Messi and David Beckham
Lionel Messi and David Beckham will both feature heavily in Wednesday's semi-final – on and off the pitch(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is expected to be among the spectators on Wednesday night as England take on Argentina for a place in the World Cup final. The Old Trafford icon was spotted passionately cheering on the Three Lions during their quarter-final victory over Norway and is likely to be back in the stands at the Atlanta Stadium for one of the biggest matches in England’s recent history.
Tickets for the blockbuster semi-final have become some of the most sought-after of the tournament, with resale prices starting out at around £2,000. But Beckham is unlikely to lose any sleep over the cost – if he pays at all – 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 his boyhood club 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 hanging up his boots in 2013 – although his earning power has only grown since retirement.
Beckham’s global celebrity status, cemented by his marriage to former Spice Girls star Victoria Beckham, has helped to 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.
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He also co-owns MLS side Inter Miami, now valued at a staggering $1.45billion (£1.07bn). Earlier this year, the former England captain became the UK’s first billionaire sportsman, with the collective wealth of Beckham and his wife Victoria reaching an astonishing £1.185bn, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.
David Beckham celebrating
Beckham (right) was spotted cheering on as England secured a comeback win over Norway in the quarter-finals(Image: Getty Images)
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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 £833m and receives an annual salary of £18.5m – 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.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates winning during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time ever on Wednesday(Image: Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
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However, that net worth figure puts him behind long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reportedly worth more than £900m.