David Beckham: Messi as a “gift to America and the MLS”

The MLS chapter began for megastar Lionel Messi just a few months ago. Within a short time, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has left his mark on and off the pitch. The co-owner of Inter Miami, David Beckham, raves about “La Pulga” and describes his signing as a gift or inspiration for US professional football.

David Beckham on Lionel Messi: “Gift to America and the MLS”

The English football icon David Beckham considers the obligation of Lionel Messi through his club Inter Miami as a “gift to America and the MLS“. He “still finds it hard to believe when someone turns to me and says that Inter Miami has Lionel Messi in its ranks,” said the club co-owner in an interview with the news agency AFP.

Messi – world footballer, world champion and idol of entire generations – “is changing the game,” said UNICEF Ambassador Beckham (48) on the sidelines of a visit to India: “Of course we want to win championships. Of course we want to be the best team in the league. But one of the reasons we bought him was also to inspire the next generation of soccer players in America.”

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The Argentinian Messi (36) decided to move to Major League Soccer after two unhappy years at Paris St. Germain and triggered a hype in the country of the upcoming World Cup hosts. Unlike his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo or the Brazilian Neymar, the attacker decided against an even higher-paying commitment to Saudi Arabia at the end of his career.

Messi scored 11 goals in his first 14 games for Miami and won the Leagues Cup, but the club missed the MLS play-offs.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)