Manchester United and England football legend, David Beckham has inked a deal to become an ambassador for Qatar.
Qatar is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup which would be the 22nd running of the quadrennial international men’s competition.
The competition is set to kick off on 21st of November, 2022 and would be the first World Cup ever to be held in the Arab World.
Beckham’s mouthwatering Qatar deal
The deal is said to be worth £15 million a year, totalling £150 million in the next decade, according to The Sun.
The deal would see the England Captain become the face of the Qatar World Cup and it is expected that he would be unveiled next month.
The ambassadorial deal came about as a result of Beckham’s close friendship with the Qatari president of PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, when the former Manchester United star played for the club in 2013, according to Dailymail.
The Asian country has been widely criticized for its human rights record particularly its attitude towards homosexuality and the right of women. However, Beckham was reassured that fans would be allowed to display rainbow flags in stadiums during the tournament in support of the LGBTQ community, Evening Standard reports.
What they are saying
A source confirmed to The Sun that “David believes in Qatar’s commitment to progress and that the World Cup — the first to be held in the Arab world — can effect significant positive change.
“He strongly believes in the power of football to bridge differences but, crucially, has seen the progress on issues that matter.
“By signing David, the hope is more westerners will be encouraged to see its beautiful beaches, vast expanses of sand dunes and incredible skyscrapers.”
What you should know
- Beckham, who has had links with the Qataris since he played for Paris St-Germain, will also promote tourism and culture.
- The former England captain is worth $450 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. While he’s retired now, he is still making money on his numerous sponsorships and modeling gigs.
- As a powerhouse on and off the field, Beckham has represented top brands like Gillette, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Pepsi and more. He famously became the face of Giorgio Armani in 2007 for a £20 million, three-year deal.
- He is also the co-owner of United States of America’s MLS side, Inter Miami CF.
