David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, has revealed that key advice from his former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, played a pivotal role in bringing Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer (MLS). Beckham, alongside Jose Mas and Jorge Mas, took full control of Inter Miami in 2021, and since then, Beckham has sought guidance from influential figures, including Ferguson and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Beckham’s relationship with Ferguson, despite occasional disagreements during their Manchester United days, remains strong. Reflecting on their bond, Beckham sought out Ferguson’s expertise when he embarked on building Inter Miami.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, Beckham recalled: “I went to him once and asked, ‘I’m starting this team, how would you run it? What’s your philosophy?’ He sat me down for a couple of hours and outlined what I should do — from the players I should target to the importance of a strong academy.”
Beckham’s desire to establish a world-class academy mirrored Ferguson’s philosophy, and his former manager’s words clearly left a lasting impression. “The boss emphasized that the academy was crucial,” Beckham added, highlighting the importance of homegrown talent to the future of the club and MLS.
As Beckham explored how to enhance youth development in MLS, he was shocked to learn that the league had no academy systems in place. “I was stunned. I asked the commissioner, ‘Where do the players come from if there are no academies?’ His response was, ‘There just aren’t any.’ That was a huge realization for me.”
Drawing from his own experience at Manchester United, Beckham helped advocate for every MLS team to establish an academy. The Inter Miami co-owner takes pride in seeing academy products, like 19-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, line up alongside legends like Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
Securing Messi’s signature in 2023 was no easy feat, but Beckham credits Ferguson’s long-term influence for helping to make the dream a reality. “Ferguson always taught me it’s not about just getting the biggest players, it’s about getting the right players. With Messi, we knew we were bringing in both — the biggest and the right player.”
Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami has thrived. Messi has scored 30 goals and provided 17 assists in just 35 appearances, leading the team to its first-ever trophy — the 2023 Leagues Cup. Under Messi’s leadership, Miami also secured qualification for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup and currently tops the MLS Eastern Conference.
For Beckham, Messi’s presence in MLS represents more than just a transfer coup. “Bringing Leo here wasn’t just about football — it was a gift to the game in the U.S. and to inspire the next generation of players,” Beckham concluded, echoing Ferguson’s enduring legacy of shaping both club and country.
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