David Beckham’s growing involvement in football ownership now spans two clubs, as he recently took full control of Salford City alongside Gary Neville. This comes while Beckham also remains a co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, where he famously secured Lionel Messi’s signature, highlighting a stark contrast in financial scales between the two clubs.
Beckham first acquired a 10% stake in Salford City in 2019, joining Neville and other former Manchester United teammates like Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt who bought the club in 2014. Last month, Beckham and Neville purchased full control of Salford through a new consortium including Lord Mervyn Davies and businessman Declan Kelly, although the original owners from the Class of ’92 continue to be involved.
Beckham aims to mirror Inter Miami’s achievements at Salford City
Inter Miami, awarded the 25th MLS franchise in January 2018, officially launched in the 2020 season under the Miami Beckham United group. From the outset, the club pursued high-profile signings, reaching a new level internationally in summer 2023 when Lionel Messi joined after departing Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter Miami secured the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 by topping the combined Eastern and Western Conference standings, but faced a shocking early exit in the MLS Cup playoffs, beaten by Atlanta United in the first round. Under new head coach Javier Mascherano, the team holds sixth place in the Eastern Conference with several games in hand due to ongoing participation in the Club World Cup.
Messi’s arrival elevated both Inter Miami’s global profile and financial valuation, which Forbes estimates at $1.2 billion, a figure boosted significantly by the Argentine star’s presence. While Beckham cannot replicate Messi’s level of signing at Salford, his success in building Inter Miami signals ambitions to develop Salford City further, as preparations continue for their seventh consecutive League Two season.
Comparing Messi’s Inter Miami salary with Salford City’s entire wage annual wage bill
The financial gulf between Beckham’s two clubs is most visible in salaries. According to The Guardian, Lionel Messi earns a $12 million (£8.9 million) base salary at Inter Miami, with total compensation reaching $20.4 million (£15.1 million) annually. This figure includes base pay, marketing bonuses, and agent fees, but does not count a separate share of MLS’s lucrative Apple TV contract estimated to raise Messi’s earnings as high as $50 million (£36.9 million).
In contrast, Salford City’s entire estimated annual wage bill last season was around £4.5 million, according to Capology. This means Messi’s total Inter Miami income is more than three times higher than the combined salaries of the entire Salford squad, highlighting the vast financial differences between MLS top earners and League Two clubs.
Messi’s wages alone outpace the payroll of 22 MLS teams, emphasizing how much Beckham has invested to bring the 2022 World Cup winner to Miami. Meanwhile, Salford, despite a comparatively modest budget, fielded a strong roster last season, including signings such as Tom Edwards, Ben Woodburn, Hakeeb Adelakun, and Cole Stockton.
In fact, Salford’s wage bill was reportedly the second-highest in League Two last season, exceeded only by relegated Carlisle United, which spent about £5 million. However, Carlisle’s investment did not yield the desired results, with Salford finishing just outside the play-off places after a draw against relegated Carlisle United on the final day.
What Beckham’s dual ownership means for football growth and ambition
Beckham’s expanding footprint in football ownership, managing both Inter Miami and Salford City, underlines the varying financial landscapes of global football. While Messi’s staggering salary at Inter Miami draws attention to MLS’s growing investment and marketability, Beckham’s commitment to Salford shows a willingness to nurture talent and infrastructure in the English lower leagues.
The takeover pushes Salford City toward higher ambitions, aiming to build on their stability in League Two under manager Karl Robinson. Beckham’s experience in the U.S. market, combined with strong local partnerships, could help Salford progress, potentially elevating their status in English football.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s evolving roster and participation in international tournaments like the Club World Cup hint at the continued growth of MLS as a competitive global league. The club‘s rise, fueled by superstar signings such as Messi, may redefine American soccer’s appeal and financial power in the years ahead.