Beckham’s ‘pride’ as Messi completes Inter Miami move

Tom Hancock

• 15 Jul 2023 21:27 BST
• 5 min read

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham says he ‘couldn’t be prouder’ after his club finally completed the signing of Lionel Messi.

Messi confirmed last month that he would be joining the MLS outfit this summer, having left PSG as a free agent, but the deal is now official.

And Beckham could barely contain his excitement about bringing Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain to Miami.

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Reacting to Messi’s signing being rubber-stamped at long last, Beckham – who helped found the franchise, which began playing in MLS in the 2020 season – posted on Instagram:

“The next chapter of our story starts here. Ten years ago when I started this journey, I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to Miami… Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in this country and build a legacy in this sport that we love so much.

“Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club but I’m also delighted to welcome a friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami CF community.”

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Messi, who has just turned 36, had been the subject of interest from Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League – in addition to former club Barcelona – before ultimately opting to head Stateside.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will become surely the biggest star ever to grace MLS – where Beckham himself spent five years with LA Galaxy.

He could make his debut for Inter Miami as soon as next Friday (July 21), when Gerardo Martino’s team take on Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.