David Beckham revealed behind the scenes of the beautiful game, revealing the details of unwavering determination and strategic brilliance that shaped the path towards securing their new prize possession, Lionel Messi.
The Co-Owner of Inter Miami talked about how it took several ‘secret meetings’ with Lionel Messi over the period of almost 10 years that helped Inter Miami land the biggest deal in MLS history.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Beckham revealed how he turned to Jorge Mas (Co-Owner of Inter Miami), sharing his visionary ambition: “One day, we need Messi to come to our club.”
🚨 Three years after launching Inter Miami men, David Beckham reveals he + fellow owners Jorge & Jose Mas plan to form an #InterMiamiCF women’s side
📝 That + how they signed Messi, founding/running a club, Man Utd, Qatar & more @TheAthleticFC:https://t.co/XPSPnbf2rt#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/b0sAn0eIsc
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 28, 2023
Astonishingly, this conversation took place a decade ago. Beckham also revealed one of the initial presentations on his phone by the advertising agency Doubleday & Cartwright. It featured Messi donning the club’s jersey.
The idea had lingered in his mind all those years, as he acknowledged the inherent desire of every sports franchise owner to bring the best players to their club.
While it was a far-fetched dream for many, Beckham and his team were resolute at that dinner, captivated by the prospect of making Messi an integral part of their market, their fans, and the world beyond.
Secret Meeting in Barcelona
In a revelation that unveils the extent of his determination, David Beckham disclosed a clandestine journey to Barcelona in September 2019 for a pivotal meeting with Lionel Messi’s representatives.
The mission was kept shrouded in secrecy, as Beckham and his team flew from London, discreetly slipping into a hotel to rendezvous with Jorge Messi, the renowned soccer player’s father and agent. During this covert encounter, the vision was laid bare: “We would love your son to play for our team one day. We know he can’t come yet, but one day we would love to have Leo in Miami.”
David Beckham and Messi’s mom Celia 💗 pic.twitter.com/U9Ee0b4773
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 26, 2023
It was a bold aspiration, rooted in the belief that Miami held a special place for Messi to leave his indelible mark on the sport, the MLS, and the city’s passionate fans.
As the conversation unfolded, Jorge Mas masterfully crafted a compelling narrative, highlighting the transformative impact that Messi’s presence could have on American soccer, the league, and the Inter Miami franchise.
This pivotal meeting became a pivotal moment in their quest to secure the services of one of soccer’s all-time greats, epitomizing Beckham’s relentless pursuit of excellence for his club and the sport as a whole.
David Beckham on sacking his former Manchester United Teammate from Inter Miami
The Englishman also opened up about the decision to sack Phil Neville as manager of Inter Miami.
In a bold and difficult decision, David Beckham made the tough call to part ways with Phil Neville in June 2023, as Inter Miami languished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Neville’s tenure as the team’s manager spanned 90 matches, yielding a disappointing record of 36 wins, 43 losses, and 11 draws.
Reflecting on the choice, Beckham shared his profound respect for Neville, emphasizing the positive impact he had on the players and staff during his time at the club. Neville’s appointment had brought a newfound seriousness to the team, but results on the field fell short of expectations, ultimately prompting the need for change.
Surprisingly, in January 2021, Beckham entrusted Phil Neville with the managerial role, despite his limited experience in the field, having served as an assistant manager at Valencia and Manchester United. The decision was grounded in their longstanding camaraderie from their glory days as teammates under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Manchester United’s Class of 92 pic.twitter.com/YWJf2CKK3N
— Iconic Football Shirts (@Iconic_footbal1) July 27, 2023
Both Beckham and Neville were key members of the renowned ‘The Class of 1992,’ a group of talented players who emerged from Manchester United‘s academy during the early nineties and went on to achieve immense success later in the decade. Among this exceptional crop of players were iconic names such as Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Phil Neville himself.
As Beckham sought to build a formidable team, he turned to Tata Martino, a skilled manager with previous experience coaching both Barcelona and the Argentine national team, where he had the privilege of working with the newly signed Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi.
