David Beckham is reportedly making more money than he ever did during his career from playing a soccer video game.
The 45-year-old actor, who retired from the sport in 2013, has signed a three-year contract of £ 40 million (S$71 mil) to feature as an ‘icon’ character in the video game FIFA 21.
FIFA manufacturers EA Sports offered him £ 30 million over three years, but he managed to get a better deal, a source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper.
“It is a big addition to the Beckham brand and the easiest money he’s ever made.”
Also included in the long-running franchise is Inter Miami, the Beckham-owned team that recently joined Major League Soccer in the US.
Earlier this month, the former England captain, who played throughout his career for the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid, took to Instagram to promote the new game.
He said: “23 years later… so proud to be back on the cover @easportsfifa #FIFA21 (sic)” on the photo-sharing website.
The sports icon, who has Brooklyn, 21, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 15, and Harper, nine, with Victoria’s wife, also hopes that the move will improve his reputation in his children’s eyes.
He joked in another post: “FIFA21… Can’t wait to see myself back on the pitch playing with some of my old teammates! Maybe @romeobeckham and @cruzbeckham will think I am a cool dad now [laughing emoji] @easportsfifa #FIFA21 (sic)”
Beckham was formerly a PES brand ambassador and now he has been featured in all three iterations of himself as an icon. In VOLTA football, one can also play with Beckham’s card.
Contrary to news, all speculation about the financials involved in the transaction has been slammed by a spokesman from EA Sports.
“We have seen the reports on the terms of our deal to bring David Beckham back into our EA SPORTS FIFA game, an official statement from EA’s spokesman read, “We have seen the reports on the terms of our deal to bring David Beckham back into our EA SPORTS FIFA game. We don’t share precise information, but we can be clear that the statistics being published are fully sensationalised and are in no way correct.
In all three cards, Beckham is a right-sided midfielder, but as a central midfielder his best card, which is ranked 92, can be played.
