The Messi effect! David Beckham becomes the first British athlete with a fortune over £1 billion
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Former England captain David Beckham has officially become the first athlete in UK history to reach billionaire status.
Details: According to the latest Sunday Times Rich List for 2026, the combined fortune of David and his wife Victoria Beckham has soared to an impressive £1.185 billion. In just a single year, the Beckham duo managed to double their wealth, making a phenomenal financial leap.
The main driver behind this meteoric rise has been David's hugely successful investments in the United States. Inter Miami CF, of which Beckham is a co-owner, has seen its valuation skyrocket following the signing of Lionel Messi. The franchise is now valued at $1.45 billion (£1.07 billion), making it the most valuable club in MLS history.
Additional dividends have come from major real estate developments around Inter's stadium and multimillion-pound deals with brands like Adidas and Hugo Boss.
Reminder: Inter Miami winger Lionel Messi commented on his hat-trick against Cincinnati.
