07 August 2023 , 13:33
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David Beckham was left in no doubt about the arrival of Lionel Messi, after the Inter Miami co-owner was mobbed during the team's first game on the road since the Argentinian's arrival at the team
Miami were taking on Major League Soccer rival FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup on Sunday night. The match ended 4-4 with Miami winning the round of 16 tie 5-3 on a penalty shootout.
Messi scored two more goals, including another from a direct free-kick in the 85th minute that levelled the contest at 4-4 with just a few minutes of regulation time remaining. Messi’s first came in the opening stages of the game where he put Miami 1-0 up in the sixth minute.
Miami have now booked their place in the quarter-final of the Leagues Cup. The tie will take place on Friday, with their opponent yet to be decided.
Beckham was in attendance at the Toyota Stadium in Dallas to watch Messi and Co claim victory. The Miami co-owner has been a regular spectator of the team ever since Messi was signed by the club on a free transfer in July.
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Videos have emerged on social media of Beckham at the Toyota Stadium on Sunday night. One video showed the former Manchester United and England star arriving for the game, and immediately surrounded by Miami fans as his security team guided him into the stadium.
Another video showed Beckham leaving the stadium after Miami’s win. This time Beckham was surrounded yet again, only this time there was a greater number of fans took much longer for the team’s co-owner to make his way out of the stadium.
The excitement around Miami has increased significantly ever since Messi first announced that he would be signing for the club. A few weeks, seven goals, one assist and sold out stadiums later, the euphoria in the fan base has shown Beckham how much of an impact signing Messi has made.
Messi’s goal certainly impressed Miami manager Gerardo Martino. The Argentine was left explaining why he is certain that the MLS club has the world’s best football on their roster after his brace against Dallas.
"We have the best player in the world. That can't be ignored,” said Martino.
“When we have our moments, the team is lethal. This question always gets asked in the places where he is.
“Someone can bet on what Barcelona would've looked like without Messi, what the Argentina national team would look like without Messi or anywhere he's been.
"Fortunately, we have him, and today he once again showed he's a tremendously important player.”