“No [Lionel] Messi in MLS if…” – Commissioner Don Garber Hails David Beckham’s Move to LA Galaxy as a Stepping Stone for Inter Miami Ace

Published 02/20/2024, 1:14 AM EST

Lionel Messi, making a move to the MLS, was a real turn-up for the books. Inter Miami caught everyone off guard by signing the Argentinian superstar. Although there were many factors involved, league commissioner Don Garber has singled David Beckham as a key catalyst for Messi’s arrival at Fort Lauderdale, asserting that it’s hard to imagine ‘what MLS would be like’ if DB7 never opted to play for the LA Galaxy.

The surprising revelation came after Garber sat down for a tête-à-tête with ESPN. He was prompted to weigh in on the nature of the league’s experience during Beckham’s tenure as a player and managing Messi’s arrival. Interestingly, Garber replied, “There’s no Messi in the MLS if David didn’t come into our league in 2007. It really was the first real statement that MLS can be a league of choice for the top, most well-known players in the world.”

Garber added that while Beckham experienced a few hurdles in the beginning with LA Galaxy, they helped the Manchester United icon become a successful owner of an MLS team. “I can’t imagine what MLS would be like if David didn’t make that decision,” Garber concluded. This is certainly huge praise for the England icon. Interestingly, Beckham isn’t alone in having played a pivotal role in Messi’s arrival.

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Of course, convincing La Pulga to play in the MLS wasn’t easy, especially considering the tempting offers he had on his table, such as a jaw-dropping offer from Saudi Arabia or an emotional reunion with Barcelona. However, none of that mattered to Messi when he engaged in compelling discussions with his Miami co-owner.

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A question from David Beckham’s fellow Inter Miami co-owner that led Lionel Messi to choose the MLS

Earlier, Inter Miami’s co-owner Jorge Mas revealed that he had some influential talks with Lionel Messi to convince him to sign for the Florida-based club. He asked the 8X Ballon d’Or winner: “How many elite athletes have had the opportunity to change the sport in a country?” Interestingly, Mas’ convincing skills didn’t end there.

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He highlighted the importance of legacy to Lionel Messi by citing examples of Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali. Mas insisted that the World Cup winner will not only have a chance to leave an indelible mark on the US soccer landscape, but his presence will also benefit the MLS in the long run. The rest, as you know, is history.

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Written by:

Abhishek Mishra is a senior Soccer Writer at EssentiallySports. His early exposure to playing soccer earned him many accolades at college divisions, making him a sports enthusiast. While closely following daily updates for over a decade, Abhishek is well-versed in European soccer and now the MLS, as well.

Edited by:

Daniel D'Cruz

“No [Lionel] Messi in MLS if…” – Commissioner Don Garber Hails David Beckham’s Move to LA Galaxy as a Stepping Stone for Inter Miami Ace

A question from David Beckham’s fellow Inter Miami co-owner that led Lionel Messi to choose the MLS

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