David Beckham, the legendary Manchester United player, has shared some exciting news about potentially bringing Lionel Messi to Inter Miami. Beckham, who is now a co-owner of the Major League Soccer team, played a vital role in the creation of the franchise by buying an expansion team for $25 million in 2014. Discussions about Messi joining Miami began over dinner in the early days of Beckham’s ownership.
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Beckham shared an interesting story about his desire to bring Messi to Inter Miami. The idea was born during a casual conversation with co-owner Jorge Mas over a glass of wine. Beckham mentioned that he always had the vision of signing Messi for the club, dating back to a presentation by Doubleday & Cartwright showcasing Messi in their jersey logo 10 years ago. Beckham emphasized that signing Messi is a significant milestone not just for the club but also for American sports history. He described it as a remarkable achievement to bring a player of Messi’s caliber to a relatively young three-year-old team in the competitive MLS, especially following his potential World Cup win. Despite being asleep when Messi announced his move to Miami, Beckham expressed that signing Messi was one of the most memorable moments of his life. He recalled feeling a similar rush of excitement as he did when he was a player, particularly when he received the news in Japan and had an emotional conversation with Mas about the signing. Messi’s impact on Inter Miami has been immediate, with impressive performances in his first games. His contributions, including a late winner and two goals with an assist, showcase his skill and value to the team. As Inter Miami prepares for their upcoming fixture, Messi’s presence has undoubtedly added a new level of excitement and anticipation among fans. The recent documentary series, ‘Messi Meets America,’ delves into the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into bringing Messi to Miami. Beckham and the Mas brothers are shown working tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect for Messi’s arrival. Beckham shared his insights and experiences with the Englishman offering advice on how to navigate the MLS, drawing from his own time with LA Galaxy in 2007.
In the inaugural episode of ‘Meeting Messi in the USA,’ viewers get a glimpse into the early days of the Argentine star’s journey at the club.
Messi mentioned that the choice to sign with Miami was something that he and his family were eager to do.
Messi expressed that his family has been enjoying their time in Miami, describing it as a nice beginning to their new life there. He mentioned that he sought advice from Beckham about playing in Miami, learning about his experiences and how the league has evolved since Beckham’s arrival. After considering a return to Barcelona or a move to Saudi Arabia, Messi ultimately chose to join Inter Miami last summer with great excitement. He emphasized the importance of being aligned with Beckham and the club owners, sharing their vision of growing the team and creating a club that fans can connect with and support. His decision to sign with Miami was not just for himself and the fans, but also for the league, the sport, and America as a whole, according to Beckham. Despite the initial challenges faced by the Miami team, Messi’s arrival brought new hope and global attention to the club.
The process that David Beckham and Miami’s ownership went through to secure Messi is also revealed.
Even though Miami was at the bottom of the league, Messi felt that his arrival signaled a positive opportunity for some much-needed transformations.
Beckham mentioned that signing Messi for Miami had a significant impact beyond just the club itself. When Messi joined the team in July, they had not won a league match in eleven games, with their last victory being against the New England Revolution. The team was under the coaching of Phil Neville at the time, but Neville was fired after just five more games in early June. Beckham expressed his disappointment at the team’s low morale and lack of confidence leading up to Messi’s arrival, stating that they were struggling and needed a change. Messi acknowledged the team’s poor performance in the previous season but saw it as an opportunity to turn things around. Their first test was a Leagues Cup match against Liga MX team Cruz Azul, where Messi started on the bench but was eager to make an impact once he entered the game.
During a recent interview, Messi mentioned that Beckham had provided him with valuable advice about life in the USA. The football superstar expressed his excitement about getting back on the field and helping his team win. When he came on as a substitute, Yedlin, the captain of Inter Miami, offered him the captain’s armband, a gesture that Messi initially declined. However, Yedlin insisted that Messi should be the captain for the game. In a thrilling moment, Messi scored a spectacular free-kick in the 94th minute to secure a victory for his team.
Messi was left in awe of his free-kick goal against Cruz Azul, admitting it was a moment that even he couldn’t have predicted. Reflecting on the fairy-tale start to his time with the club, Messi explained, “It was unbelievable how it all played out. I never could have imagined it happening that way, even in my wildest dreams.” While always dreaming big and picturing the best possible outcomes, Messi confessed that this particular scenario was beyond his imagination. “Starting like that was truly extraordinary due to the high expectations, it being my first home game, securing the victory in the final minutes – it was just so special. Unforgettable, really.”
