Before Billion-Dollar Debt Changed Lionel Messi’s Career, David Beckham Sneaked Into Argentine’s Dad’s Hotel to Offer Inter Miami Deal

Some deals are brokered in the boardrooms, while others are sealed with a touch of audacity. For David Beckham, the latter was the path to securing one of the most remarkable signings in the history of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Inter Miami owner recently opened up about his mission to woo Lionel Messi to Miami, a journey that spanned a decade.

In a striking revelation, Beckham had gone through a covert operation that would eventually see Messi don the Inter Miami jersey. Let’s dive deeper into this intriguing story surrounding Lionel Messi’s journey to the Florida club.

The audacious approach of David Beckham to sign Lionel Messi for Inter Miami

While discussing his glittering career, and his current life as an owner of Inter Miami, David Beckham got candid with his former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, alongside compatriots Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher. In a podcast for ‘Stick to Football,’ Beckham recounted a rendezvous that could be described as nothing short of cinematic.

The Inter Miami owner recalled, “When I started this journey 10 years ago, announcing that I was starting a team in Miami, my vision was always to bring the best players. I suppose as an owner of a team you always want to bring the best players, but the chance of bringing the best players is difficult and always challenging.”

However, the audacity of his plan soon became apparent when he revealed, “But then I sneaked into Messi’s dad’s hotel about four years ago in Barcelona for a meeting with him, and obviously at that point, you know, we wasn’t ready to bring him and he wasn’t ready to come. I turned around to his dad and said we want your son; we want him to come to Miami when he’s ready.”

This encounter marked the beginning of a four-year journey that involved strategic decisions and negotiations for Beckham with his business partners. The ambition was clear – to strengthen the squad and bring Lionel Messi to the club. However, the culmination of their efforts arrived when Messi’s tenure at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) presented a window of opportunity. Beckham stated, “Then, when he was at PSG we saw an opportunity that he was either going to go back to Barcelona, but then all of a sudden everything aligned.”

READ MORE: “Barcelona One Kind of Really Worried Me” – David Beckham Feared of Lionel Messi’s Return to Spanish Giants, Before Landing in Inter Miami

Beckham’s commitment to bring Messi became a game-changer for the club and MLS

Bringing Lionel Messi to Inter Miami was no small feat, but Beckham’s unwavering commitment and dedication to his vision paid off. The historic signing of the Argentine not only transformed the club, but the complete soccer league itself. Inter Miami is now one of the most popular soccer teams in the MLS, and they are attracting sell-out crowds at every game.

The arrival of La Pulga in Miami was a testament to Beckham’s determination to elevate the status of soccer in the United States and offer fans a truly exceptional soccer experience. Lionel Messi has already lifted his first title with Inter Miami this season with his remarkable set of performances for the Herons in the Leagues Cup. Messi has scored a total of 11 goals for Miami until now, and the fans will be hoping to see more of Messi in the coming future.

Beckham’s covert meeting in Barcelona with Messi’s father serves as a reminder that in the realm of soccer, the pursuit of greatness often involves behind-the-scenes efforts.

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