AFP and Jack Fenner for Dailymail.com
Updated at 00:08 on November 17, 2023, 00:08 on November 17, 2023
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David Beckham told AFP on Wednesday that the signing of Lionel Messi by his Inter Miami team was “our gift to the United States and Major League Soccer”.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder admits he still has to pinch himself when he sees the Argentine World Cup winner on the squad sheet in Florida.
“It’s still hard for me to believe when someone turns to me and says there’s Lionel Messi in Inter Miami, you know,” he said.
“As a boss, it’s a matter of great pride for me to have a player like that in our squad, the best player in the world.
“We always knew that bringing Leo to the United States, not just to Miami, was our gift to the United States and Major League Soccer.
“Because it’s game-changing to have people like that. You know, people like that inspire a new generation of footballers.
“That’s why we want to bring Leo into the team. 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 to inspire the next generation of American football players.
‘Wanted to be a football player. So bringing him in to do that is important for us. “
In July, seven months after he led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, Messi shocked the football world by turning down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere to join Inter Miami.
The 36-year-old continues to light up MLS with some outstanding performances but has failed to lead Inter Miami into the playoffs this season.
Messi is currently coaching Argentina and will take part in games against Uruguay and Brazil before taking a break.