TALK OF THE TOWN: Argentina World Cup star Messi persuades David Beckham to sign for his club

After David Beckham was sent off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup finals, it almost derailed his football career, such was the furious backlash from fans.

But it seems the former England captain bears no grudges against the old enemy – for I can reveal he’s going into business with Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi on a global network of swanky members’ clubs.

A source tells me that Becks will be ‘heavily backing’ the ultra-exclusive clubs, which will be equipped with state-of-the-art gyms and will be situated in locations where major sporting events take place, such as Singapore, which hosts a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Having been privy to the luxurious designs, I can reveal that the aesthetic is futuristic, post-modern and sculptural – which is a far cry from Beckham’s rustic Cotswolds home.

The partnership between the legendary footballers is unsurprising, given that in 2023 Sir David signed Messi for his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami.

Becks has also reportedly offered Messi a contract that allows him to acquire a stake in the club once he’s hung up his football boots, giving him a long-term business relationship with the organisation.

My source suggests that Messi’s new venture may have been inspired by members’ club chain Soho House, of which Becks is a regular visitor.

Sir David and his fashionista wife Victoria are no strangers to new business ideas.

According to this year’s Sunday Times Rich list, the couple are worth a combined £1.185billion, while Messi is reportedly worth in the region of £800million.

Smashing! Amanda is all set for the final

Amanda Holden, 55, is used to passing judgment on performers on Britain’s Got Talent, but I wonder how she fares at tennis? 

I only ask because the star certainly looked the part last week when she posted this snap of herself in a colourful outfit, ahead of tomorrow's Wimbledon men’s singles final.

And she wasn’t the only one getting into the tennis spirit. Joining the crowds at SW19 was Romeo Beckham’s ex-girlfriend, model and influencer Mia Regan, 23.

First-serve Emma...

I hear Emma Raducanu has upset punters at a popular pub in Fulham, west London.

My spies claim the 23-year-old jumped the queue at The Boundary, which is owned by several sporting celebrities, including former England cricket captain Eoin Morgan. 

Later, Emma zipped upstairs out of the spotlight. 

Chelsea girl Vicky’s return

You can’t keep a good reality TV star down. 

Made In Chelsea’s Victoria Baker-Harber has been off air since she left the show in 2020, but rumour has it she’s set for a comeback – on American show Real Housewives Of Rhode Island. 

The 37-year-old will appear alongside her husband, Inigo Philbrick – the couple married in 2024 after he was released from prison for defrauding art clients out of more than £60million. No doubt they’ll make good viewing… 

Milly earns her crust

Acting is a precarious profession – so much so that Milly Alcock took a job in an east London bakery in case her big role in House Of The Dragon proved short-lived. 

‘Being an actor means sometimes you’re not hired for months,’ she says, adding: ‘I went into this pit of, “Oh my God, I’m never going to work again.”’ 

Well, she’s got to earn dough somewhere... 

Commiserations to Matt Smith, who I hear was turned away from a new celebrity hangout called Key. 

Sources tell me the bouncers didn’t recognise The Crown star, left, at the Mayfair club, which is being touted as the next Chiltern Firehouse. 

I’m told the ‘chosen ones’ are given a tiny key to access the club – but I guess Matt’s must have got lost in the post…

Lord Bath is in more, er, hot water with neighbours near his Longleat estate in Wiltshire. 

After I revealed he’d upset locals by not showing up to the village fete three years in a row, now I hear he’s charging a whopping £8 to park by his woods for four hours.