Documents emerging from the correspondence of convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein show that a number of prominent sports figures are mentioned within his network of communications — although no implication of wrongdoing is drawn from inclusion in the files.
According to a November 24 2025 report by the interactive site JMail, which collated emails attributed to Epstein’s communications, the “Epstein files” include references to several internationally recognised athletes. Among the sports people listed, the report names six major figures: Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Sachin Tendulkar and O.J. Simpson.
The report underlines that inclusion in the files does not indicate any form of friendship with Epstein, nor any misconduct on the part of those named. “Being named does not indicate any wrongdoing,” the site emphasises.
In the cases of Messi and Beckham, the files reportedly cite them in an email thread described as discussing “the most admired and influential people in the world,” in which both were mentioned. The report states that Messi and Beckham are referenced together as part of that broader discussion.