World's richest footballer worth 40 times more than David and Victoria Beckham

Daily Mirror

a day ago

David and Victoria Beckham saw their net worth leap up, with the former having also received news of a knighthood, but their wealth is dwarfed by the world's richest footballer
Sir David Beckham's recent knighthood has cemented his status as a national treasure, celebrated for his footballing legacy and global influence. The 50-year-old, alongside his wife Victoria, has built an empire that extends far beyond the pitch, with their combined net worth estimated at £500million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.
However, their fortune pales in comparison to the staggering wealth of Faiq Bolkiah, the richest footballer on the planet, whose net worth is reported to be around £20billion - roughly 40 times that of the Beckhams. Bolkiah, a 27-year-old winger who, at one point, was in Chelsea's academy, is a member of the Brunei royal family, owing his immense wealth primarily to his lineage as the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.
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Unlike Beckham, whose wealth stems from a storied career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, as well as countless lucrative endorsements, Bolkiah's fortune is mostly inherited. The Brunei royal family's vast holdings include oil and gas reserves, luxury properties, and investments that dwarf the earnings of even the most successful athletes.
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While Bolkiah's football career has earned him modest wages, his royal status places him in a financial league of his own. In contrast, the Beckhams have meticulously crafted their wealth through football, fashion, and media ventures.
David's playing career, which included 115 caps for England and multiple league titles, laid the foundation. His post-retirement endeavours, including co-owning Inter Miami and securing high-profile sponsorships with brands like Adidas and Haig Club, have significantly boosted their fortune.
Victoria's fashion empire, particularly her eponymous label, has added further millions, with the couple's business acumen evident in their £70m in company assets and £40m in dividends over recent years.
Bolkiah, however, operates in a different realm. His wealth allows for a lifestyle that includes private jets and supercars, making the Beckhams' collection of Bentleys and Range Rovers seem modest by comparison.
While David and Victoria's property empire - which includes a Notting Hill townhouse, a mansion in the Cotswolds and a Miami penthouse - is enviable, Bolkiah's access to palatial residences across Brunei and beyond is unparalleled. Yet, despite his riches, Bolkiah remains relatively low-profile in football, focusing on his career in Thailand and with the Brunei national team rather than chasing global stardom.
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He currently plays for Ratchaburi, having joined them from fellow Thai League 1 outfit Chonburi in 2023. Prior to that, he was contracted to Portuguese club Maritimo, but failed to make a senior appearance for the team.
Bolkiah spent the bulk of his youth career in England, firstly with Southampton, then Chelsea and later Leicester. However, he wasn't able to earn a professional contract - despite being an international footballer (he's earned six caps for Brunei) since 2016.
The contrast between Bolkiah and Beckham highlights different paths to wealth in football. While David represent the pinnacle of self-made success, leveraging talent and branding to amass a fortune, Bolkiah embodies a rare intersection of sport and inherited wealth, where football is a passion rather than a financial necessity.
As Sir David basks in the glow of his knighthood, his and Victoria's £500m empire, though impressive, is a mere fraction of Bolkiah's billions, underscoring the extraordinary scale of the Brunei prince's wealth.