Beckham tops football rich list, but Messi and Ronaldo close in
Richest 50 players in the world have combined wealth of £1.7bn says Goal.com survey
DAVID BECKHAM'S powers may be waning on the field, but off it the 37-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is still the man to beat after being named the world's richest footballer ahead of younger rivals like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to the 2013 Goal.com Rich List, Becks has amassed a personal fortune of £175m over the course of his career which puts him some £60m clear of Messi and Ronaldo in second and third.
The two La Liga stars are said to be worth £115.5m and £112m respectively. But they are both much younger that Beckham and can expect to catch him well before the end of their careers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Below the top three there is another large gap separating the rest of the pack. Fourth on the list is the Brazilian Kaka, who has an estimated £66m to his name. Manchester United stars Wayne Rooney (£50m) and Rio Ferdinand (£42m) also make it into the top ten.
The combined wealth of those on the list stands at £1.7bn, enough to buy Manchester United twice over or purchase 6,299 brand new Ferrari F12 Berlinettas.
Half of the players in the top 50 have played in the Premier League, more than any other league, although eight of the top ten have starred in the Spanish La Liga, and a quarter of those on the list have played for Real Madrid.
Goal.com points out that despite his wealth Beckham still falls some way short of the likes of Tiger Woods and Michael Schumacher, who are both worth more than £500m.
"While all on the Goal Rich List are easily considered multi-millionaires, the potential is there for players to earn a great deal more money," explained Goal.com's finance expert Chris Evans.
Players needed to be "savvy", he said. "Beckham has created his own brand, quite literally with his clothing line, but also through his image and ever presence in the media, so even in the twilight of his playing years, his popularity and earnings continue to grow."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Government shutdown looming? Blame the border
Talking Points Democrats and Republicans say funding for immigration enforcement is the budget battle's latest sticking point. That's about all they agree on.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Conservatives have not limited their attack on reproductive rights to the US'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
John Motson dies aged 77: five best Motty moments
Under the Radar The legendary BBC football commentator delivered countless iconic lines in 50-year career
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
A tale of ‘two World Cups’: Messi, Mbappé and ‘money well spent’ for Qatar
feature Amid sportswashing and human rights concerns, Qatar 2022 ended with the perfect final
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 World Cup final: Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news
feature Mbappé and Messi will go for glory, the golden boot, golden ball, and PSG bragging rights
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
2022 World Cup final: Lionel Messi’s last chance to emulate Diego Maradona
Talking Point Argentina captain is one win away from achieving the ultimate dream
By Mike Starling Published