WHEN Lionel Messi lined up for David Beckham’s Inter Miami football team, it was the biggest coup in the history of the sport.
In a remarkable piece of wheeler dealing, the former England captain persuaded the world’s greatest player to sign for a team at the bottom of their United States league.
David Beckham persuaded the world’s greatest player to sign for a team at the bottom of their United States league Credit: Getty
Beckham with new Inter Miami signing Lionel Messi Credit: instagram
David, Victoria and Harper with the Kardashians at Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut Credit: Instagram
Not only that, 36-year-old Messi, who captained Argentina to victory in last summer’s World Cup, turned down a reported billion-pound offer from Saudi Arabia’s top team.
Business-savvy Becks has cleverly harnessed the power of his celebrity pals to entice Messi with the kind of glamour that can’t be matched in the Middle East.
A-listers such as reality TV queen Kim Kardashian, basketball superstar Lebron James and tennis legend Serena Williams were there to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Inter Miami debut on Friday night.
When Beckham announced the creation of the Florida football side five years ago, music mogul Jay-Z, superstar singer J-Lo, A-list actor Will Smith and Olympic athlete Usain Bolt were by his side.
The 48-year-old appeared to be close to tears after Messi scored an injury time winner in a cup match at the club’s temporary home ground.
That is understandable, given the setbacks he has endured in setting up a football team from scratch.
A promised state-of-the-art stadium is yet to be built following legal challenges, residents’ protests and the discovery of arsenic in the soil.
Messi captained Argentina to victory in last summer’s World CupCredit: Reuters
Beckham goes grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s in MiamiCredit: BackGrid
Posh and Becks with Marc Anthony and Serena Williams
The Man United legend with Tom Brady and their respective daughtersCredit: Instagram / @davidbeckham
Becks with LeBron James at Messi’s Inter Miami debutCredit: Instagram
David with Leidys Pla at Cuban eatery Enriqueta’s Sandwich ShopCredit: Instagram
Miami goes mad for Messi with murals appearing on walls
Another mural of the Argentinian World Cup winner
Beckham’s luxury liner named Seven after his shirt numberCredit: Mega
Beckham’s Miami apartment buiding was designed by star architect Zaha Hadid
Inside the posh pad with stunning viewsCredit: Mega
