Lionel Messi now wears the Inter Miami shirt – Photo: / Getty Images
Inter Miami owner David Beckham (48) reveals the Messi transfer process and what the deal means for the country and football in the US. The first steps were taken years ago.
In 2019, when David Beckham founded Inter Miami with two partners, the idea of signing Lionel Messi (36) first came up. Beckham tried to talk to Messi’s father Jorge. Since that time, the Inter Miami owner has kept in touch with the Messi camp in order to attract him to the MLS team.
Four years later, Messi Beckham gave his yes word. When the former England international found out about Messi’s commitment, he was in Japan with his family: “I woke up at 5 a.m. because my phone wouldn’t stop vibrating. Victoria said, ‘Really, turn off your phone!'” .
Beckham, however, answered his cell phone and the message he received still intrigues him to this day. “Leo is coming! I get goosebumps talking about it,” admits football’s former “poster boy”.
David Beckham has been digging at Leo Messi for years – with success – Photo: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com
‘Messi can change the face of football in this country’
This news not only excited Beckham and America, but the whole football world: Lionel Messi decided against the big money in Saudi Arabia (allegedly one billion a year!) and becomes the new figurehead of the MLS.
Beckham is certain: Messi will have a big impact on MLS and football in America. “Leo saw that he could not only change the face of football in this country, but also inspire the next generation,” said Becks, according to sports newspaper Marca.
The Messi hype in the US could take football to a new level, Beckham believes. In America, soccer is only the fourth popular sport after football, basketball and baseball.
Messi hype: All Inter Miami games are sold out
In the US, everyone wants to see Lionel Messi. Both Inter Miami’s home and away games are completely sold out. Jersey sales with the number 10 have skyrocketed, the whole world is talking about MLS.
The 36-year-old Argentinian is already delighting fans with his performances: in his first two games, the world footballer scored three goals and set up another goal. La Pulga causes ecstasy among fans, media and the owners of Inter Miami.
Sources used
marca.com
2023-07-31 20:21:59
#Beckham #goosebumps
