Sir David Beckham's has further , recognised for his services to sport and to charity. The 50-year-old, along with his , has built an empire that extends well beyond the field, with their combined net worth estimated at £500million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.

However, this sum is dwarfed by the astonishing wealth of , the world's richest footballer, whose net worth is reported to be around £20billion - approximately 40 times that of the Beckhams. Bolkiah, who once trained in Chelsea's academy, is a member of the Brunei Royal family. His vast fortune primarily stems from his familial ties as the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.

Unlike Beckham, whose wealth originates from a distinguished career with Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as numerous profitable endorsements, Bolkiah's wealth is largely inherited. The Brunei Royal family's extensive assets include oil and gas reserves, luxury properties and investments that far exceed the earnings of even the most successful athletes.

While Bolkiah's football career has provided him with modest earnings, his Royal status puts him in a financial league all of his own. In contrast, the Beckhams have carefully amassed their wealth through football, fashion and media endeavours.

Beckham's illustrious career, which saw him earn 115 caps for England and win numerous league titles, laid the groundwork for their wealth. His ventures since retiring, such as co-owning Inter Miami and securing lucrative sponsorships with brands like Adidas and Haig Club, have significantly increased their fortune.

Victoria's successful fashion empire, particularly her eponymous label, has contributed further millions to their wealth. However, Bolkiah operates on a different level. His wealth affords him a lifestyle of private jets and supercars, making the Beckhams' collection of Bentleys and Range Rovers seem modest in comparison.

While Beckham and Victoria's property portfolio - including a Notting Hill townhouse, a Cotswolds mansion and a Miami penthouse - is impressive, it pales in comparison to Bolkiah's access to palatial residences across Brunei and beyond.

Despite his immense wealth, Bolkiah maintains a relatively low profile in football, focusing on his career in Thailand and with the Brunei national team rather than pursuing global fame. Currently, he plays for Ratchaburi, having transferred from fellow Thai League 1 club Chonburi in 2023.

Before that, he was contracted to Portuguese club Maritimo, but never made a senior appearance for the team. Bolkiah spent most of his youth career in England, initially with Southampton, then Chelsea and later Leicester. However, he failed to secure a professional contract despite being an international footballer (he's earned six caps for Brunei) since 2016.

The contrast between Bolkiah and Beckham underscores the diverse routes to wealth within football. While Beckham epitomises self-made success, utilising talent and branding to accumulate a fortune, Bolkiah represents a unique crossroads of sport and inherited wealth, where football is more of a passion than a financial necessity.