Lionel Messi has transformed Inter Miami into one of the biggest clubs in the world after moving to Florida last summer.
The Argentine international took the Herons from one of the worst sides in MLS last year to this season winning the Supporters’ Shield, with the record-points total now on the line for Messi and Inter Miami.
With Tim Ream backing Lionel Messi to win MVP, the 37-year-old attacker’s impact has been nothing short of incredible at Inter Miami, who head into the post-season play-offs the clear favorites to win MLS Cup.
And David Beckham has now shared one incredible story about Messi’s time at Inter Miami.
Beckham reveals Messi coming to Inter Miami training three hours early
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the Inter Miami co-owner shared how Messi turned up to his first Inter Miami training session three hours early, with Beckham amazed by the Argentine’s drive even after everything he has achieved in his career.
Beckham said when asked about Messi’s first day of training: “He arrived at about 6.50 in the morning, there was nobody in the training facility apart from one guy to let him in. He arrived at 6.50, and the team weren’t training till 10.
When asked what Messi was doing, Beckham said: “Preparing, he’s in the gym, he’s warming up, he’s doing all of the things that you expect a young kid to do, and he’s still doing them now at his age. After everything that he’s won in his career, you would expect him to be a bit more relaxed, but if I had to describe him in one word, it’s: ‘winner’.
“Not in the sense of what he’s won, but he’s still hungry, he’s still hungry for championships, he still gets angry at players for not doing the right thing, he still gets angry when he loses games. Even when he’s not playing, he gets angry. He doesn’t have to be there at every game, but he’s there at every game. That’s the type of player and person he is. It’s unbelievable to see.”
How big have Inter Miami become since Messi signed?
Inter Miami official Xavier Asensi recently liked Messi to Michael Jordan, with the Herons’ co-president claiming that future fans will look back on MLS as a time before the Argentine joined and what happened afterwards.
With Tata Martino now dreaming of competing at the FIFA Club World Cup next year, Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has opened the for the Florida franchise to potentially compete with the biggest sides in the world on a professional stage.
And with Inter Miami heading into the play-offs with Messi coming off an incredible display for Argentina, the Herons should feel confident in their chances in winning MLS Cup, a title the 37-year-old attacker will be keen to win.