This footballing icon has become as influential off the pitch as he was on it, with the establishment of his very own business empire, even making himself an entire brand in the process!
David Beckham has established himself as one of the most iconic footballers in the history of the sport with 724 professional appearances, scoring 127 goals and accumulating 225 assists. He represented the world's biggest clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris-Saint Germain where he ended his career in 2013.
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His 20-year career saw him win 19 major trophies, and as impressive as his accomplishments was on the pitch, his business achievements off the pitch is even more incredible!
The ex-Man Utd star is one of the co-owners of Guild Esports, an organization that was launched in June 2020 and also became the first esports firm to be publicly traded in the United Kingdom!
It made even more history when the company became the first publicly traded esports organization on the London Stock Exchange, which saw it reportedly raise an incredible £20 million (R453 million). On the marketing front, it has been doing exceptionally well too. The organisation, according to them, has accumulated over a billion video views and has over 2.5 million fans.
"Guild takes pride in its co-ownership with none other than the global icon, David Beckham. Our legendary ambassador is at the centre of our organisation and together we are shaping the landscape of competitive gaming," Guild Esports said about their co-owner on their official website.
"Just like Beckham's sporting career, we're providing an unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence and opportunities for grassroots players."
Then, quite literally, Beckham moved straight from the pitch right up to the boardroom when the team was established in 2018 after Beckham chose to trigger a clause in his contract while at LA Galaxy that allowed him to purchase his very own MLS franchise for $25 million (R455 million). He triggered the contract in 2014 and worked around the clock until the club played its first match in 2020.
Since then, he has helped the club reach new heights, even securing the signing of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. According to Free Press Journal, the club now has valuation of $1 billion (R18.2 billion)!
Speaking to AFP, the former England international said that bringing Messi to the land of opportunity is his "gift to America".
"It's still hard to believe that when someone turns around to me and says Inter Miami have Lionel Messi in their team, you know," he said.
"It's a very proud thing for me to have as an owner, to have a player like that, the best player in the world, in our team.
"We always knew that bringing Leo to America, not just to Miami, it was our gift to America and the MLS.
Getting the club's valuation from $25 million to $1 billion in little over three years is quite the iconic achievement, and it shows just how much of a shrewd businessman the former Real star is!
Listing everything that the English football icon has achieved after, and even during, his football career is nearly impossible! From modelling and doing advertisements for companies such as HM, adidas, Pepsi. He was even a brand ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar! And if that's not impressive enough, Tommy Hilfiger himself crowned Beckham as the "Underwear Model of the Century"!
Not to mention, he has also tried his hand at acting. Football enthusiasts would have been in the theatre watching 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword', which was directed by Guy Ritchie and starred Charlie Hunnam, going mad at the appearance of the former Milan star in the movie.
If you couple all of his aforementioned ventures with the fact that he is also the global ambassador and co-founder of premium single-grain Scotch whisky Haig Club, one can only look on in awe at what he has managed to build for himself and is family.
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