He’s Lionel Messi’s boss. He’s also one of the most recognisable sports figures on the planet.
So, when David Beckham strode through the car park outside St Andrew’s shortly before Birmingham City vs Wrexham kicked off, it was perhaps understandable that the heads of supporters also making their way into the stadium should turn so fast that some seemed in danger of suffering a whiplash injury.
Monday nights in England’s self-styled Second City are not supposed to involve a flying visit from the former England captain. Nor, it should be said, is a fixture in English football’s third tier where you’d expect to see someone with Beckham’s global profile.
But that’s the reality in an age when celebrity ownership has come to what Pele used to call “the beautiful game”.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking over National League side Wrexham in February 2021 set the ball rolling on a trend that has since seen Hollywood comedy giant Will Ferrell get involved at Leeds United and former NFL star JJ Watt become a part-owner at Burnley.
Then there’s Tom Brady at Birmingham, who is arguably the greatest NFL player ever. He took a minority shareholding in the former Premier League club a little over a year ago.
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney (left) and Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady chat before Monday’s game (Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
He is believed to be a step or two removed from day-to-day operations, as you’d expect with someone who has an extensive business portfolio in the U.S., never mind a new job with Fox Sports as a pundit commentating on the NFL.
But Brady’s influence is still keenly felt, not least in terms of player nutrition and recovery, with Alex Guerrero, a long-time ally of the seven-time Super Bowl champion, having a significant input as an advisor to Birmingham.
His pulling power also remains pretty impressive, judging by Beckham’s surprise visit to St Andrew’s. Along with wife Victoria, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has struck up a close friendship with Brady.
They have been photographed together countless times, including a family meal out at a Miami pizzeria with their kids. Beckham has also taken to social media in the past to have a laugh with the legendary quarterback, who set up home in Florida following his retirement.
Brady and David Beckham in the stands at St Andrew’s (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
In many ways, the Brady-Beckham friendship is a natural alliance. Both remain iconic figures after spending years at the top of their respective sports, winning every club honour there was to win.
The pair have also moved into sports ownership since hanging up their boots, with Beckham joining Jose Mas and Jorge Mas at the helm of Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. Messi, considered by many to be among the greatest football players of all time, is on the club’s roster and leading the push to give the game a firm foothold in the USA.
Just last month, the injured Argentinian World Cup winner joined both Brady and Beckham in the stands in Fort Lauderdale as Miami took on Cincinnati.
The trio were all smiles as they chatted before kick-off, Beckham enjoying himself judging by the photo he posted later on Instagram with the caption: “The Greatest — doesn’t get any better”.
A 2-0 victory for Miami will no doubt have helped the mood on an afternoon when Brady was presented with his own Inter Miami jersey at half-time by his good friend.
Monday saw Brady return that favour via an invite to join him in the directors’ box at Birmingham after earlier spending time in an executive box with Gary Neville, Beckham’s former United team-mate and his best man when he married Victoria. The trio were joined by Beckham’s son Romeo.
As with that home win for Miami in August, there was plenty for the pair to celebrate as two goals from Jay Stansfield and a thumping finish by Tomoki Iwata clinched a deserved 3-1 win in the battle of celebrity owners.
Brady was an animated figure throughout, as you’d perhaps expect from someone attending only their third home game after taking in last season’s visits of Leeds United and Rotherham United.
All three goals brought the 47-year-old to his feet, as did the two sets of players confronting each other late on after tempers had boiled over following a clash between Krystian Bielik and Paul Mullin.
Wrexham’s Mullin gets to grips with Birmingham’s Bielik (Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
This was actually the second time Beckham had watched Wrexham live. He attended the 2022 FA Trophy final against Bromley at Wembley as a guest of Reynolds, the Welsh club’s co-owner alongside McElhenney.
He joined the Deadpool star, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator McElhenney, and actor Ferrell in an executive box at the national stadium but, like Monday night in Birmingham, there was to be no Hollywood ending for Wrexham, who lost that final.
As for Brady, however, he may well see his friend Beckham as something of a lucky charm after watching Birmingham lay down a clear marker in the League One promotion race. Expect another St Andrew’s invite to be winging its way to Beckham Towers before very long.
GO DEEPER
The Briefing: Birmingham 3 Wrexham 1 – Brady hosts Beckham at the battle of the celebrity U.S. backers
(Top photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)