David Beckham has sent Inter Miami star Lionel Messi a message after his stunning free kick that handed them their first win in the Club World Cup, giving them a great chance of progressing to the tournament’s knock-out rounds.
The Argentine produced yet another moment of magic on Thursday evening, curling the ball into the top corner from a set piece in their 2-1 victory over Portuguese outfit Porto.
Miami had not started the game well, after Porto striker Samu Aghehowa slotted the ball home from the penalty spot.
The side in pink went into half-time a goal down, but quickly turned it around with Telco Segovia’s finish a minute after the restart.
Lionel Messi scored his 50th goal for Inter Miami on Thursday evening
Reuters
Less than 10 minutes later, Messi produced the moment of pure brilliance, another to add to his legendary repertoire, whipping the ball past Claudio Ramos in the Porto net and into the top corner.
It was Messi’s 68th free-kick goal, and it has become a trademark for the Argentinian.
The goal also marks Messi’s 50th goal in a Miami shirt, having only played 61 games.
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It was Lionel Messi's 68th free kick goal of his career
Reuters
Miami co-owner, David Beckham, would have been proud of his star man’s effort.
The 50-year-old took to Instagram to express his delight with Messi’s brilliant finish and Miami’s victory.
“Unbelievable…” he wrote. “A record breaking night in Atlanta.
“The first MLS team to beat a European team in an official competition… very proud.
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“Vamos Inter Miami.”
Beckham himself was considered a set-piece specialist in his playing days, netting 65 during his career.
Arguably the most memorable for England fans would be his crucial equaliser against Greece at Old Trafford, sending the nation to the World Cup in 2001.
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The former Manchester United star has seen a meteoric rise to success in the MLS with Inter Miami.
As part of his initial contract as a player at LA Galaxy in 2007, Beckham co-founded Inter Miami in 2018, with the side played their inaugural season in 2020.
Over the last year, the club have had a 72 per cent value growth and sold more ‘Messi’ shirts in his first 24 hours than any individual in any sport, an astonishing 50 per cent more than any other entire team in the MLS.
The southeast side have also tasted success already in the States, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Eastern Conference.
Beckham played a crucial role in bringing legend Messi to the club, along with former Barcelona pals Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Javier Mascherano, also formerly of Barcelona, recently took charge and has seen his side perform admirably in the Club World Cup so far.
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