What did Inter Miami owner David Beckham say about Lionel Messi?

Former Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham was the star of ESPN’s Sports Center show in the United States on Thursday and discussed all things sport, including some of his favourite soccer players currently plying their trade. Unsurprisingly, Beckham revealed the one he currently most enjoys watching is Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi, for whom he was full of praise.

David Beckham praise for Lionel Messi

“It has to be Messi. I love Leo... for many different reasons. I love him because he’s a great father, I love him because he’s a great personality, a great character, he’s a great person.”

Following those kind words for the ex-Barcelona star, a rival at club level before Beckham left Madrid for LA Galaxy in 2007, the Inter Miami owner expanded on why Messi was held in such high regard by fans around the world (as if it weren’t already obvious).

For Beckham, the Argentine’s style of play, with his heart worn on his sleeve, is just one of the things that makes him stand out from the crowd: “I think what everybody loves about him is the way he plays the game. He plays the game with passion, he plays the game just free.”

Argentina captain Messi was, of course, named player of the tournament as Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar for the first time in 36 years; it was the one trophy that the PSG playmaker had been missing from his personal trophy cabinet. “I think that in the last World Cup, the way he played for his team and his country, winning the tournament was an incredible moment for him, and I love seeing players like that”, concluded a smiling Beckham.

Could Messi sign for Beckham’s Inter Miami?

Along with investment management firm Amber Capital, Beckham owns MLS club Inter Miami. Only a few months ago, it was rumoured that Messi, who has yet to formalise a new deal in Paris, may opt to move to the United States once he finished his career in the European Soccer, with the Florida club touted as one possible destination.

Several of Messi’s ex-teammates have been linked with moves to The Herons, with Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets the latest of them. Does that make a Messi Miami move more likely? Perhaps so, and Beckham’s compliments surely won’t have done the club’s chances of luring the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to the US any harm.