For famous stars, buying insurance for important body parts is not uncommon. The purpose of this is to ensure income in case stars can no longer use these parts to make money for both subjective and objective reasons.
Below are the most valuable insurance contracts purchased by football superstars.
David Beckham
Coverage: Legs
In 2006, Beckham was said to have invested in an insurance package worth up to 195 million USD for his legs. After that, Mr. Becks decided to upgrade to a full-body insurance package, with an estimated value of about 225 million USD.
Luckily, Beckham did not have to use this insurance policy. Beckham still ran well before officially hanging up his shoes in 2013 due to age.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Coverage: Legs
According to CNBC, Real Madrid Club bought an insurance policy worth $144 million in 2009 for Ronaldo’s legs. This is said to be the way the Royal team limits risks after spending a record amount of 100 million USD to recruit the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo played for Real for 9 years, winning 4 C1 Cups with the team before moving to play for Juventus in 2018. Currently, Ronaldo is 39 years old, still performing at a high level in the Al Nassr shirt of Saudi Arabia.
Iker Casillas
Insurance department: Hand
In 2007, goalkeeper Iker Casilla announced that he had purchased insurance worth up to 10 million USD. “Every athlete needs insurance for their body. For me, an insurance policy is necessary in case I get injured to the point of retirement. Now, if I hurt my knee or leg, I will pretend that I hurt my arm.” , Casillas humorously shared.
Casillas retired in August 2020. However, he hung up his gloves due to heart problems.
Gareth Bale
Coverage: Legs
Bale was once the most expensive contract in world football history. To protect his career, the player born in 1989 is said to have bought an insurance policy worth 100 million USD to protect his legs.
However, like other colleagues, Bale does not need to activate this contract. Bale retires in 2023 at the age of 34, partly because he runs out of motivation to play football. Bale’s current favorite sport is golf.
Manuel Neuer
Insurance department: Hand
For goalkeepers, hands are the most important part. Understanding this, Neuer is said to have spent money to buy an insurance policy worth 3.5 million USD in 2014.
Currently, Neuer has turned 38 years old and is still a pillar of Bayern and the German team. This summer, Neuer is expected to create stability for the German defense when the team enters the Euro tournament at home.
Lionel Messi
Coverage: Legs
The owner of the most valuable insurance contract in football is superstar Lionel Messi. According to Essentialy Sports, the Argentine superstar has purchased insurance worth up to 900 million USD (22.9 trillion) for his left leg.
Currently, Messi is playing football in the US for Inter Miami Club. Messi revealed that he is completely satisfied with his career and said he has run out of goals to strive for after winning the 2022 World Cup.
