Beckham: 'Messi changed Inter Miami's life in just 5 weeks'

Messi helped Inter Miami win the first title in history on the morning of August 20, Hanoi time. The Argentine star scored a super product to cut the left foot and opened the scoring and then successfully made a penalty to help Inter Miami beat Nashville 10-9 in the penalty shootout of the 2023 Leagues Cup final.

Co-owner Beckham admitted feeling nervous when watching the tense 11m kick series, causing the two goalkeepers to compete. "It's never easy to watch games end like that," said the former England player in the Geodis Park tunnel after watching Inter Miami lift the first cup in history. "Nashville fights incredible, but tonight is Inter Miami's night."

Beckham continued to praise the three rookies Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba: "People just say it like the movie, every time Messi scores, Busquets makes a pass or Alba runs. People say it like it's okay. programming, and that's the biggest compliment to these players. You watch them and it's emotional. Everything about their style of play is stunning."

Inter Miami was founded in 2018. Two years later, they joined the MLS, finishing 19th, 20th and sixth place for three seasons, respectively. Currently, Inter Miami is at the bottom of the table after 22 matches in the 2023 season, including five wins, three draws and 14 losses. Just before signing Messi, Inter Miami went 11 matches without winning. The club's situation is the opposite of Messi's. Before coming here, the Argentine striker held the record of winning seven Golden Balls and owning 43 collective titles.

"A lot can happen in five weeks," admitted Beckham. "Inter Miami is life changing, with so many new things. We will enjoy tonight and look to the future and continue to grow. We have the best players in the world and a lot of potential academy players. It's been an emotional night and it's been a long journey for me."

While waiting to receive the Leagues Cup, Messi took off the Miami captain's armband and handed it to defender DeAndre Yedlin. After that, the two players lifted the title together, and the whole team danced to celebrate the first victory in Inter Miami history.

According to Yedlin, Messi helps Inter Miami improve psychologically and always enters the game with a winning mentality. "I can't say that's been the goal of the team every single game before," he admitted. "This is Messi's seventh game with Inter Miami. It's unbelievable that I can lift the title with Messi, and that says it all about his character."

With Inter Miami winning Nashville in the Leagues Cup final, Messi won 44 titles, surpassing former teammate Dani Alves to become the player who won the most collective titles in football history. The Argentine star has the opportunity to win the 45th title, when playing with Inter Miami in the semifinal of the US Open 2023 against Cincinnati in Ohio at 6 am on August 24, Hanoi time. If they reach the final, they will face Houston Dynamo or Real Salt Lake.