David Beckham Becomes UK’s First Billionaire Sportsman, Surpassing Lionel Messi in Net Worth

Sir David Beckham has entered the billionaire class, with the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List confirming that the former Manchester United and England captain, alongside wife Victoria Beckham, now holds a combined wealth of £1.185 billion — approximately $1.6 billion. The figure represents a significant doubling from previous estimates and establishes Beckham as the United Kingdom’s first-ever billionaire sportsman.

The milestone places the Beckhams ahead of football icon Lionel Messi in terms of overall net worth. Messi’s personal fortune is estimated at approximately $850 million (£629 million) as of May 2026, according to figures from Celebrity Net Worth. Cristiano Ronaldo, by comparison, had already crossed the billionaire threshold, with Bloomberg’s late 2025 valuation placing the Portuguese forward’s net worth at $1.4 billion, driven primarily by his Al-Nassr contract and a wide-ranging commercial portfolio.

Within the UK’s sports wealth rankings, the Beckhams now sit second among sports-related figures, trailing only the family of former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone. They rank ahead of golfer Rory McIlroy, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and boxing promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn.

Several business interests have underpinned the surge in the Beckhams’ combined wealth. Chief among them is Beckham’s ownership stake in Inter Miami CF, the MLS franchise he co-founded. The club, valued at approximately $1.45 billion, has risen sharply in worth following Messi’s arrival in the summer of 2023 and the club’s on-field success, which includes the 2025 MLS Cup. Beckham’s share in the franchise has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the couple’s overall net worth.

Beyond football, the 51-year-old’s holding company, DRJB Holdings, recently distributed £43 million in dividends. Long-standing endorsement agreements with Adidas, Hugo Boss, Pepsi, and Tudor continue to generate substantial income. A £370 million development project, Freedom Park, has further expanded his property and investment portfolio. Victoria Beckham’s fashion label has contributed meaningfully as well, recording £100 million in revenue and carrying a brand valuation of approximately £375 million.

Although Messi has historically outpaced Beckham in annual earnings and total career income through playing contracts and endorsements, the net worth comparison tells a different story. Beckham’s diversified ownership stakes and investment vehicles have driven the family’s collective wealth into billionaire territory — a trajectory shaped by decades of deliberate post-career planning. Beckham retired from professional football in 2013, and has since built revenue streams across a Netflix documentary, fragrance lines, global ambassador roles, and club ownership.

Victoria Beckham, a former member of the Spice Girls, has developed an independently recognised fashion brand despite early commercial difficulties, adding significant value to the couple’s joint financial profile.

The fact that Messi — whose arrival Beckham personally orchestrated at Inter Miami — has simultaneously contributed to the dramatic appreciation of Beckham’s ownership stake adds a notable dimension to their financial relationship. While Messi’s estimated $850 million net worth reflects one of football’s most decorated playing careers, Beckham’s billionaire status is rooted in equity and enterprise rather than on-pitch earnings alone.