David Beckham breaks silence on ‘massive moment’ that allowed him to sign Lionel Messi for Inter Miami
DAVID BECKHAM has broken his silence on the “massive moment” that allowed him to sign Lionel Messi for Inter Miami.
The former England captain is the co-owner of the Florida-based MLS franchise.
Messi is set to officially become an Inter Miami player on Wednesday as he completes his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed last month that he had agreed to move to the MLS.
He reportedly turned down offers from former club Barcelona and Saudi Arabia to leave Europe for the USA.
Ahead of the deal becoming official, Beckham has now lifted the lid on how he learned he had completed the signing.
Speaking to The Athletic, he recalled: “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.
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“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.”
Messi will reunite with former Barcelona and Argentina boss Gerardo Martino in Miami, after his compatriot replaced Phil Neville as manager.
Ex-Barca team-mate Sergio Busquets has also signed for the MLS’ bottom side following his exit from the Nou Camp.
Fans will have to wait to see Messi make his debut for his new club, though.
The Leagues Cup clash with Cruz Azul on July 21 is the first chance the 36-year-old will have to play for Inter Miami.
Meanwhile, his league debut will not come until at least August 20, with the MLS taking a mid-season break for the Leagues Cup.
Inter Miami will be looking to climb off the foot of the Eastern Conference when they host Inter Miami on their return to league action.