Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has shared the key reasons behind Lionel Messi’s decision to join the club and continue his career in Major League Soccer (MLS), marking the end of his illustrious two-decade stint in European football.
During his time in Europe, the 37-year-old Argentine legend won four UEFA Champions League titles, mostly with Barcelona, where he spent 17 seasons, followed by two years at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, made an immediate impact upon joining Inter Miami in 2023, guiding the team to its first-ever Leagues Cup title.
Speaking at the Stella Artois “Let’s Do Dinner” event in New York, Beckham revealed that Messi’s primary concern was finding a place where his family could thrive and enjoy life, which ultimately led him to choose Miami.
“His main concern was finding a place where his family could thrive and enjoy life. That was incredibly important to Leo. From the very first moment he set foot in Miami, it has truly felt like a dream,” Beckham said, according to Goal.
Beckham also expressed his excitement about signing what many consider to be the greatest player of all time:
“To be able to say that we’ve signed the world’s greatest ever player is a dream come true. Everyone has their opinion on who the best player of all time is—whether it’s Diego Maradona, Pelé, or others—but to have Messi here in the MLS, in Miami, it’s truly special.”
Messi’s decision to move to Inter Miami as a free agent made headlines across the globe in 2023. Since then, Messi has delivered stellar performances, scoring 27 goals and providing 17 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. In the 2023 season alone, he recorded 16 goals and 12 assists in just 18 matches.
The World Cup winner’s arrival has had a transformative effect on Inter Miami, propelling the club to new heights. With Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami now sits eight points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference after 30 games and is on course to claim its first-ever MLS title.
