Soccer's Biggest Want to Spend It Like Beckham

The biggest names in soccer are looking to score the same huge payday that David Beckham just landed.
Beckham at soccer practice
In the wake of Beckham's record $250 million deal, a well-placed source tells TMZ that several "huge" foreign soccer players have made overtures to U.S. teams looking for the same deal. The curious soccer stars, include some of the biggest David Beckham: click to launchnames in international sport over the past decade. Their names and faces would still have cachet for Major League Soccer, even if their soccer skills are waning.

Still, they shouldn't expect $50 million a year -- or anything near it. One prominent sports marketing consultant who has worked with several MLS teams says that if the European and South American stars think they'll cash in, "they're sadly mistaken. David Beckham is an English-speaking brand that no other player can match."

Several relatively high-profile foreign stars have made the move to MLS in the past, including Lothar Matthaus, Youri Djorkaeff, and Luis Hernandez. But have you heard of any of them? Didn't think so.




Reader Comments

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1. He is not worth 250 million dollars. Not even in his prime was this guy worth that kind of money. He's good but he ain't that good.

Posted at 1:43PM on Jan 12th 2007 by Lisa

2. David is just so hot... and i think its gonna be ronaldo and the other team mate of his from real madrid...

Posted at 1:53PM on Jan 12th 2007 by gen

3. I come ti TMZ.com
everyday soon as i wake up! but dont care for anything about :Beckham or his spice girl,I dont think most of america cares for them.

Posted at 1:55PM on Jan 12th 2007 by The Insider

4. The only soccer "stars" America is getting do not make their respected starting teams anymore in Europe.

Posted at 1:58PM on Jan 12th 2007 by Pele

5. Who cares about this? You already told us that he's moving. That is the end of story. NO one cares about this excessive stuff. Get over it, TMZ.

Posted at 2:02PM on Jan 12th 2007 by TMZ loves Perez

6. Hmmm, I didnt know soccer was so big in the states, I watch football. (hee hee)

250 million???
That could feed and house alot of people in New Orleans dont you think?

Posted at 2:03PM on Jan 12th 2007 by Tucci

7. seriously the only people that care about the beck tribe don't live in the U.S.

Soccer is fine and dandy, but not something we should get all excited about or start to watch just because some Michael Jordon wannabe moved to the states. Come on! The only reason they're moving here is for more exposure, money and plastic surgery.

Posh isn't even a celebrity anymore, she really should be on VH1's Surreal Life, then maybe we'd care. Maybe.

Posted at 2:07PM on Jan 12th 2007 by kd

8. u people r f***n sad

Posted at 2:11PM on Jan 12th 2007 by g

9. beckham has no trophies or medals from real madrid and no world cup trophy so whats all the hype about hes gona fall on his ass in the usa.and his wife has fake hair fake tits fake personality there two dumb f***s from england that got lucky n posh a fashion icon haaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Posted at 2:16PM on Jan 12th 2007 by g

10. yes all soccer (football) fans have heard of thes other players djorkaeff and matthaus were world class in every sense of the word unlike beckham a media hyped player yes a very very good player but by no means world class at all and 99 percent of real football fans will tell u the same!!!!.

Posted at 2:39PM on Jan 12th 2007 by robbo

11. Yes, I've heard about those players... In Europe, we don't care about baseball or football, so don't be so sarcastic... They are not 'stars' here, they are really huge STARS. By the way I don't like Beckham

Posted at 2:40PM on Jan 12th 2007 by kelly

12. LA is lucky to get such a hot player bring on over the other hot players to the U.S. Chicago would welcome them.

Posted at 2:42PM on Jan 12th 2007 by ChicagoMark

13. if mr beckham is so good wat has he won since the best manager in the world (sir alex ferguson) kicked him out of man utd. he was a failure at the world cup with england in 2006 and 2002 so mr media hyped beckham aint so good is he people its time u chekd ure sh*t and got a grip.

Posted at 2:51PM on Jan 12th 2007 by g

14. hey and its sh*te telln how it is people but mr beckham is a f***n phoney just like his f***n spice girl cant sing wife so dont be takn in bye the hype u dumb americans or il just slag you

Posted at 3:09PM on Jan 12th 2007 by g

15. I agree to posting # 7.
Whoever is the business advisor of the Becks has been really dealing into research & development of the Brand.

Since Beckam media hype is slowly dying in Europe over David's failing soccer career they are looking at other horizons..the good ''ol U.S.A who has the most hardworking paparazzi, and L.A is the place to be -for more exposure,brand recognition and reviving U.S soccer status is not such a bad idea after all..!!!

For sure Posh will be tempted into stuff even if she's happy doing what's she's doing!> more plastic surgery, and b4 I forget; beware of the TOm and his alien entourage!

Posted at 3:39PM on Jan 12th 2007 by Miss Karma

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