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David Beckham explains why Inter Miami signed Lionel Messi & how stunning transfer led to ‘a million messages’.
David Beckham has provided insight into the decision of Inter Miami to sign Lionel Messi as well as the effects a remarkable trade has already had in Florida.
After his contract with Ligue 1 powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain expired, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner shocked the footballing world by revealing that he would be transferring to Major League Soccer as a free agent.
The Argentine superstar first seemed destined to stay in Barcelona, despite lucrative offers from the Middle East, but the 36-year-old is now getting ready to pursue his American dream.
Manchester United icon David Beckham played a role in putting the transaction together, revealing why he moved for Messi and how his phone has been ringing off the hook since the stunning coup was disclosed.
Beckham told those at the ‘Lessons in Leadership’ seminar: “A couple of weeks ago, I woke up to about a million messages on my phone. I was thinking, ‘What’s gone off? I don’t usually get this many messages.’ All of a sudden, I hear Leo has come out and announced he’s coming to Miami. Obviously, it wasn’t a surprise to me.
“I have always said, from the word go, that if I had the opportunity to bring the best players in the game to Miami, at whatever time of their careers, I would do that. I have always made that commitment to our fans. So when I hear that one of the best players — if not the best player — who has won everything in the game, who is still a great player, still young and still doing what he’s doing, wants to play for my team, it’s a massive moment for us.”
Along with being a significant shareholder in Inter Miami, Beckham also shares ownership of Salford City with other United grads from the Class of ’92.
He said when jokingly quizzed on why Messi has ended up in Miami rather than Greater Manchester: “Yes, I am part-owner of Salford City. And Salford is a great place. But, obviously, Argentina is closer to Miami than Salford. I think that was quite a pull for Leo.”
On July 21, Messi is anticipated to make his Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup match. A month later, Messi is scheduled to make his MLS debut against Charlotte FC at home.