David Beckham’s “one word” to describe Lionel Messi
The Inter Miami owner sees how the Argentine conducts himself on a daily basis in Fort Lauderdale and said he was surprised by his way of working.
Once again, Lionel Messi has become the centre of attention as Inter Miami heads into the final matchday of the MLS season. Alongside his team, the Argentine star will be aiming to make history by securing the most points in a regular season and solidifying their playoff aspirations as they pursue the MLS Cup title.
David Beckham, owner of the team, spoke in an interview on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast about what has impressed him most about Lionel Messi during his time with the Fort Lauderdale club, highlighting Messi’s unwavering commitment and dedication both on and off the training field.
Messi’s first Inter Miami day caught Beckham’s eye
Beckham reflected on Messi’s first day with Inter Miami, noting that he was the first to arrive and the last to leave the facilities. The former England international avoided comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he also praised for his professionalism and work ethic, but limited his comments to Messi, with whom he interacts daily in South Florida. Beckham went so far as to describe Messi as a “winner in every aspect,” and someone who never ceases to amaze him.
“The one thing that Leo is good as is teaching. He’s good at teaching the young players that are coming in from the academy. He doesn’t make any player feel below him. He’s that player that will stay out on the training ground teaching the young kids, going to watch the academy kids playing. He’ll be the first in the gym and he’ll be the last out of the gym.
“I don’t think you get to that level without having that [drive] within you. I’ll take you back to the first day that he came in to our training ground. He arrived at about 6:50 in the morning. And there was nobody in the training facility apart from one guy to let him in. He arrived at 6:50. The team weren’t training till 10.
“At his level, without a doubt. To still be like he is now is unbelievable.”
“Messi is a winner”
Additionally, Beckham highlighted Messi’s willingness to mentor the younger players on the team and the consistent hard work and dedication he puts in both on and off the field, particularly in the gym.
“He’s in the gym, he’s warming up. He’s doing all of the things that you expect a young kid to do and he’s still doing them now at his age. Everything that he’s won in his career, you would expect him to be a bit more relaxed. If I had to describe him with one word, he’s a winner. Not in the sense of what he’s won, but he’s still hungry. He’s still hungry for championships, he still gets angry with players for not doing the right thing.
“He still gets angry when he loses games. Even when he’s not playing he gets angry. When he’s not playing or he’s injured, he’s there at every game. He doesn’t have to be there at every game. That’s the type of person and player that he is. He’s unbelievable to see.”
Beckham reveals his vision for success with Inter Miami
Another aspect Beckham revealed during his extended conversation with Rio Ferdinand was how his intention to own a football team came about and the specific reason that led him to choose Miami as the location for the club. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and PSG player admitted that he never saw himself as a coach or manager, which is why he opted to become an owner and aim for success with a team capable of competing for major achievements, featuring the best footballers in its squad.
“I always dreamed of owning a football team. I never had aspirations to be a coach or manager – I never thought I was good enough for that – so I wanted to have my own team. When I moved to the US and had the opportunity to own a team at the end of my time with the Galaxy, I seized it. Then came the choice of finding a place for that team.
“I was in LA for six years, and after traveling around the US, I realized Miami didn’t have a team. I always saw Miami as a city full of passionate people, with diversity, and I knew that in the future, when we had a team, I wanted us to be able to attract the best players in the world.”