David Beckham says Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami was one of the best moments of his life

David Beckham claims Messi's signing made him happy

David Beckham says Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami was one of the best moments of his life

Stephen Oladehinde 16:02 - 28.07.2023

David Beckham has claimed that signing Lionel Messi to Inter Miami is one of the best moments of his life.

Last month, Messi revealed he was leaving Barcelona and heading to the United States to play for the team Beckham owns, turning down offers to transfer to Saudi Arabia and return to Barcelona.

The Argentine was unveiled to the Inter Miami fans a few weeks ago and has played two games and scored three goals for his new team.

Manchester United legend David Beckham was full of joy after Messi signed for Inter Miami and has said it was the best moment of his life.

Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami

Beckham explains how Messi was signed

Beckham, though, has admitted that he has always tried to convince Messi to move to the United States and even hinted at the possibility during a dinner ten years ago.

Beckham answered when asked if it was one of the best moments of his life, during an interview with The Athletics as reported by Daily Mail, he said, “Without a doubt.”

“It all came from a conversation over a glass of wine at dinner. I turned to Jorge (Mas, Inter Miami's managing owner) and said, One day, we need Messi to come to our club. It was probably when we first met. 

“I actually found on my phone the other day one of the first presentations that (advertising agency) Doubleday & Cartwright did — they mocked up one of the jerseys with the logo on and Leo was wearing it. That was 10 years ago. So it was always in my mind. 

“I suppose every owner of a sports franchise thinks, "We want to bring the best players to our club". 

“Does it happen for everyone? Of course not. But we were sitting at dinner and we were like, ok, if we could bring Leo for our market, for our fans, for this part of the world, there’s no one better.”

Lionel Messi and David Beckham hug at the unveiling
Lionel Messi and David Beckham hug at the unveiling

Beckham speaks of Messi’s signing

Beckham had an interview with the Athletic, where he spoke about Messi joining Inter Miami and how happy he felt about the signing.

Beckham told The Athletic as reported by Daily Mail, “I never thought I would have the same feeling as an owner as I had when I was a player.

“When I got the phone call (to confirm Messi was joining), I had the feeling I had when I walked out at Old Trafford or Wembley. 

I was like, "We’ve just beaten all competition to sign the greatest player to ever play our game. This will be up there with the biggest moves in American sporting history.”