MLS
David Beckham: “Messi is a gift for the United States and the MLS”
The owner of Inter Miami once again praised the Argentine star and believes that his arrival in US soccer benefits the entire country.
The 2023 MLS season concluded for Inter Miami in a campaign highlighted by the arrival of Lionel Messi, who guided the team to clinch its inaugural title by winning the Leagues Cup. As Miami and Messi enter a break period until early 2024, the team’s co-owner, David Beckham, in partnership with Jorge Mas, spoke once again about the impact the Argentine ‘Number 10′ has had in these few months in Major League Soccer.
Beckham’s Messi gift to MLS
In an interview with the AFP news agency, the former English international and player for clubs such as LA Galaxy, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG, and, of course, Manchester United, asserted that Messi’s presence fundamentally alters the perception of MLS. Beckham revealed the rationale behind Inter Miami’s decision to bring Messi on board, aiming to foster footballing growth at all levels in the United States.
“It’s still hard to believe that when someone turns around to me and says Inter Miami have Lionel Messi in their team, you know,” Beckham said. “It’s a very proud thing for me to have as an owner, to have a player like that, the best player in the world, in our team.
“We always knew that bringing Leo to America, not just to Miami, it was our gift to America and MLS. Because someone like that changes the game. You know, someone like that inspires another generation of soccer players. And that’s why we wanted to bring Leo to the team.
“Of course, we want to win championships. Of course, we want to be the best team in the league. But one of the reasons why we bought him was to also inspire the next generation of soccer players in America. To want to be soccer players. So bringing him does that and it’s an important thing for us.”
Messi’s numbers in his first season with Inter Miami
In total Messi has played 15 games in his first season with Inter Miami, taking into account the last friendly against NYCFC in his honour for the Ballon d’Or win, in which he added his first title with the Leagues Cup. He provided a total of 11 goals and four assists.
Much is expected from him and the other big-name signings in the new campaign.