The world is waking up this morning to the shock of yet another financial crisis. Last year, the personal fortune of David and Victoria Beckham stood at £125m, yet this was still only enough to put them in 38th place on the football rich-list.
Disastrously, England’s largest gold reserve has taken a huge hit in the last fiscal year, to the tune of £25m. Despite this, the Beckhams’ lowly holdings of just £100m still puts them top of the rich-list this year, evident of a rapid decline in footballers’ profits.
Financial experts, bankers, are scratching their heads. Economic forecasters are predicting a gloomy fiscal outlook, and fears are now mounting over the stability of several of the country’s largest financial institutions; Premiership football clubs are expecting a run on their reserves, as cash-strapped players go on a desperate attempt to keep the WAGS in blonde highlights, subtle orange fake tan and fur coats for another week.
Yet do not despair football fans, all is not lost. Indeed, a look at the top 12 richest footballers in England actually shows significant growth for all but a few:
1. David & Victoria Beckham £100m – Age 35 & 36 (Last year £125m, 38th)
– Personal fortune has dropped considerably, but they have risen to the top of the rankings.
2. Michael Owen £40m – Manchester United Age 30 (Last year £38m, 64th)
– Has taken a break from playing football recently to concentrate on his investment portfolio.
3. Rio Ferdinand £34m – Manchester United Age 31 (Last year £30m, 85th)
– Now has a bad back from sudden, sustained growth.
4. Sol Campbell £31m – Newcastle United Age 36 (Re-entry)
– Has learned to consolidate his position, avoiding collapse having wisely pulled out of previous affiliations with an unsound Nottingham-based firm.
5. Ryan Giggs £27m – Manchester United Age 37 (Last year £24m, 85th)
– Still has what it takes to get past all but a few of his contemporaries.
6. Wayne Rooney £25m – Manchester United Age 24 (Last year £37m, 65th)
– Has also seen his stock dwindle significantly but, owing to his peerless negotiating skills, has still managed to come out better-off.
7. Steven Gerrard £22m – Liverpool Age 30 (Last year £20m, 90th)
= Frank Lampard £22m – Chelsea Age 32 (Last year £21m, 88th)
– At least they make a good partnership in the middle of this field.
8. John Terry £19m – Chelsea Age 29 (Last year £18m, 9th)
– Keeps it simple: up £1m, up 1 place.
9. Patrick Vieira £18m – Manchester City Age 34 (New entry)
– As a new entry, he proves the value of investment in the Middle East. Also follows the Owen model and avoids over-exertion.
10. Didier Drogba £18m – Chelsea Age 32 (Last year £16m, 10th)
– Frustrating year for Drogba, as his profits have not increasing his standing.
11. Paul Scholes £16m – Manchester United Age 35 (Re-entry)
– No change for Scholes, who would probably play for nothing, anyway.
12. Fernando Torres £15m – Liverpool Age 26 (Last year £14m, 11th)
– Poor Fernando sees his fortune fall, but unlike the Beckhams, it does him no favours in these rankings.
Of course, age plays a significant factor here, with only 3 players under 30. Maybe Premiership football is not far different from any other profession; it just takes time to build up a secure nest-egg for your retirement. Yet youngsters like Rooney still give us hope for a bright financial future.
Friday’s WAG is Fabulous!
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