David Beckham was present at Inter Miami’s morning training session on Monday, closely observing superstar Lionel Messi as he prepared for his second game with the team. Messi reported to the Florida Blue Training Center in Fort Lauderdale, participating in conditioning and ball drills under the watchful eye of manager Tata Martino.
.
Beckham, dressed in a black outfit with a pink Inter Miami cap, sat on a red cooler, showcasing his support for the franchise. Messi made a remarkable debut last week, scoring a stunning free kick in stoppage time against Cruz Azul during the Leagues Cup.
Inter Miami’s next challenge is against Atlanta United in their second group stage game, scheduled for Tuesday night.
MLS commissioner Don Garber highlighted Messi’s arrival as a testament to the league’s “unending ambition.” He expressed hopes that in the future, top players might choose to join MLS earlier in their careers, saying, “What will that look like in the years to come?” He noted that the perception of Major League Soccer is set to change dramatically as more big names enter the league.
.
.
Garber pointed out that while many high-profile players have come to MLS towards the end of their careers, it doesn’t diminish the league’s appeal or competitiveness. He recalled that David Beckham joined LA Galaxy at 31 and went on to play for Milan and PSG, emphasizing that MLS is evolving.
Garber expressed pride in Messi choosing to make MLS his league of choice over options like Saudi Arabia or a return to Barcelona. He reminisced about the history of soccer in the U.S., from Pelé’s move to the New York Cosmos in 1975 to the inception of MLS in 1996 and Beckham’s pivotal switch in 2007.
.
.
He envisions a future where soccer in the U.S. can challenge the dominance of American football, basketball, and baseball. “MLS has been on this sort of rocket ship for a while,” Garber stated, emphasizing the league’s continuous growth and momentum.
Messi’s signing with Miami, just months after winning the World Cup with Argentina, has indeed sent shockwaves through the footballing world, marking a significant moment in the evolution of soccer in North America.