Inter Miami's incredible turnaround under Messi and Beckham

From a skeptical project, Inter Miami became MLS Cup champions and global phenomenon.

When David Beckham chose Miami to build his MLS team in 2013, much of the world saw it as more showbiz than professional. He paid a significantly reduced £15.6 million for a spot in the league and began his difficult journey. Inter Miami officially launched in 2018, and have been playing in MLS since 2020.

Beckham sows dream seeds amid skepticism

The early years were challenging. Performances were patchy, direction unclear, and the team failed to generate enough traction to compete with the giants of American sports . But Beckham never wavered. He spoke little, but always believed that Miami was a land big enough to nurture a dream more daring than soccer.

The turning point came in the summer of 2023, when Lionel Messi unexpectedly chose Inter Miami as his next destination. It was not only a decision that changed Messi's career, but also changed the fate of the entire team.

The arrival of Messi immediately turned Inter Miami into the center of world football. With just one debut match, the team went from being little noticed to a familiar brand with fans from Europe to South America.

Stadiums that had been empty were empty. Miami tickets were snapped up as soon as they went on sale. Club attendance soared, and MLS as a whole entered a period of unprecedented growth. Even people who had only followed the NBA or NFL began to take soccer more seriously.

On the pitch, Messi quickly reshaped the team's style of play. He linked up with Jord Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and returned under coach Gerardo Martino. Miami's style of play changed dramatically: smoother, more controlled and more unpredictable. No longer a mid-table team, Miami became a team with its own identity and capable of competing for titles.

Messi brings miracles on the field, while Beckham creates everything behind the scenes, creating a rare journey of life change in modern football.

Beckham, from afar, burst into tears when Messi officially signed. It was a moment that proved that 10 years of effort had finally reached the decisive moment.

If Messi changed the team from the inside, Beckham shaped the outside. He recognized Miami had a distinct aesthetic: Art Deco buildings, pink neon signs, a laid-back urban vibe. Beckham wanted Inter Miami to embody that spirit. And he persisted, even when his team resisted the idea of pink for the identity.

Now, Inter Miami’s pink is synonymous with the league. It’s everywhere from the stadium, to the jersey shop, to the photos that have been splashed around the world. Beckham understands that football is more than just a sport, it’s a brand. It’s how he built the club that makes Inter Miami famous not just for Messi, but for its unique style and identity.

Things continued to flourish as Beckham brought entertainment culture into the club's image. Miami matches became a meeting place for celebrities, from actors and singers to sports legends. Inter Miami became the center of cultural life, not just an MLS team.

Things continued to flourish as Beckham brought the entertainment culture into the club's image.

The new Freedom Park stadium, now ready for use, is the next step in that ambition. When completed, Miami will have one of the most modern “homes” in American soccer, symbolizing the continued evolution of the Beckham project.

Inter Miami – from doubt to the top of MLS Cup

Success doesn't come through flash. It comes from long-term planning, nurtured by patience, vision, and, ultimately, the arrival of the world's biggest star.

Inter Miami will win the Leagues Cup in 2023, then the Supporters' Shield in 2024, before ascending to the top of the MLS Cup, a journey that has accelerated dramatically in just a few years. Their 5-1 demolition of New York City in the Eastern Conference final or their 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final underscored their superiority.

This is more than a championship. This is a statement: American football is entering a new era.

Beckham believed, Messi made that belief come true, and Inter Miami became living proof that a bold dream can shape an entire tournament.

This story is not over. But Inter Miami has already written a chapter in MLS history that has never been seen before.

The moment Messi lifted the historic trophy On the morning of December 7, Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami defeat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win the MLS championship for the first time.

Source: https://znews.vn/cuoc-doi-doi-kho-tin-cua-inter-miami-duoi-thoi-messi-beckham-post1609162.html