Lionel Messi might have counted David Beckham as a rival once upon a time but they are now working to win trophies at Inter Miami.
And the second of Messi’s career in the MLS is up for grabs when Inter Miami face Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup on Wednesday night.
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Inter Miami have seen their fortunes change with Messi in their ranksCredit: Getty
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner made the move to the United States in the summer after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired.
Since joining Inter Miami, their fortunes have vastly changed from being bottom of their respective division to reaching cup finals.
That includes winning the Leagues Cup by beating Nashville on penalties after a 1-1 draw, that Messi scored in.
And that is largely down to the 36-year-old’s impact, who has scored 11 in 12 appearances, including five assists.
Inter Miami co-owner Beckham played a huge role in convincing the World Cup winner to leave behind Europe.
Once upon a time, though, they counted each other as rivals on opposite sides of La Liga’s dominating forces.
It was almost 20 years since Messi took part in his first Clasico as a Barcelona player.
In 2005, Barca tore Real Madrid apart in a 3-0 bashing at the Bernabeu thanks to two goals from Ronaldinho and another strike from Samuel Eto’o in a star studded event.
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Messi faced Beckham four times as a player, winning one and losing oneCredit: Getty
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Messi is now playing for Beckham’s Inter MiamiCredit: Getty
Beckham started alongside Zinedine Zidane, Robinho, Raul and Ronaldo whereas Messi propped up the right-hand side of a team including Ronaldinho, Xavi, Eto’o and Carlos Puyol.
But despite boasting a side full of superstars, Frank Rijkaard’s Barca dazzlers put them to the sword.
It was a humiliating day for Los Blancos and head coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo was sacked some weeks after as their season continued to capitulate.
In total, Beckham, who moved to Spain from Man United in 2003, and Messi faced each just four times throughout their careers.
This match was the only one that Messi won, though, as Real Madrid beat them in their next encounter – this time with Fabio Capello at the helm at the Bernabeu.
And the other two matches ended in draws in the Champions League when Beckham joined PSG for a short stint in 2013.
The former Manchester United star later said: “I probably decided to retire when Messi was running past me.”
But while it has been Beckham’s dream to sign Messi for Inter Miami, there is a chance that he might not play in the US Open Cup final.
“I’ll sit down with him and see how he feels,” Martino said.
“We always talk. I really don’t know if later on the resolution that we make is the one that we agree on. Perhaps tomorrow we’ll get together and see what he says.”
Regardless of his condition, he has been key to ushering in new era of success.
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