Photo/Instagram

On August 16, 2023, Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal. This brings the club one step closer to its first championship in its five-year history.

After the match, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham posted a photo of Messi celebrating a goal on Instagram with the caption: "Another amazing night in Pink. What a moment for our team, our fans, and our club. This is our first @InterMiamiCF final.

Beckham's career has always been heavily commercialized. During his playing days, he was a popular endorser for a wide range of brands and earned a fortune. His earnings increased since his retirement, thanks to two deals he signed in 2007.

When Beckham joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2007 with the Los Angeles Galaxy, his annual salary was only $6.5 million. However, his contract included two special clauses: First, he would receive a percentage of the club's total revenue. Second, Beckham could buy a new MLS team for $25 million after he retired.

As the cost of entry into MLS has increased in recent years, Beckham has benefited greatly from these clauses. According to sports business experts, he has earned more than $500 million from playing in the United States, buying and operating a club, and signing endorsement deals.

Beckham began planning his new club shortly after retiring from the Galaxy in 2013. In September 2018, he announced the formation of Inter Miami CF. The club's logo features two pink flamingos, a symbol of Miami's warmth and diversity. Beckham has said he hopes to create a club that attracts fans from all over the world and builds a winning team.

Inter Miami's early years were not easy. Soccer is not as popular in the United States as basketball or football, and the cost of building a new stadium was significant. However, the addition of Messi in 2023 has helped to boost the club's profile and generate excitement among fans.

Beckham's business empire extends far beyond Inter Miami. In 2019, he bought a 10% stake in English League Two club Salford City, along with his former Manchester United teammates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, and Phil Neville. He also has a number of other business interests, including a fragrance line, a clothing line, and a production company.

Beckham's wife, Victoria, has also played a significant role in his business career. She is the founder of Victoria Beckham Ltd., and she is also a board member of David Beckham Ventures, Victoria Beckham Holdings, and Victoria Beckham Holdings.

Beckham is a true global icon, and his success in business is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and business acumen. He is a role model for young people everywhere, and he shows that it is possible to achieve great things in both sports and business.