In a recent revelation at the Economic Forum in Davos, David Beckham disclosed Lionel Messi's intentions to return to Barcelona after his playing career, despite Inter Miami's hopes of retaining the Argentine superstar in Florida.
While Inter Miami currently holds Messi's contract through 2025, with a potential 12-month extension that could see him through the next World Cup, the club's co-owner Jorge Mas remains optimistic about the future. "Leo and I will sit down to discuss the future. I fully expect that when our new stadium opens in 2026, Leo Messi will be our number 10," Mas stated.
However, Beckham's comments at Davos paint a different picture of Messi's long-term plans. "I would like Messi to live in Miami when he retires, but Leo told me that he only thinks about living near the Camp Nou," Beckham revealed. The Manchester United legend emphasized Messi's deep connection to Barcelona, noting, "There is no player who loves Barcelona as much as he does. You can see the Barca crest on his leg and even on his water bottle."
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's attachment to Catalunya runs deep, as he plans to return there with his wife Antonela and their three sons upon retirement. However, before that chapter unfolds, Messi still has unfinished business in the United States.
Reflecting on the significance of bringing Messi to Inter Miami, Beckham shared his perspective on the American dream: "I have always believed in potential. You know, the United States is a powerful country, one of the biggest countries with the best opportunities and you believe in that." He continued, "When I moved to the United States, I knew it was a land of opportunity. I knew I wanted to live in the United States at some point and create a business like the one we have done."
The pride in Beckham's achievement is evident as he described watching Messi take the field: "Now I sit in my chair, in Miami, in that stadium and Leo walks onto the field and I think 'I'm very proud of that'."
Currently, Inter Miami is engaged in pre-season matches against teams from across the Americas, with Messi, who earned MVP honors in MLS last season, setting his sights on expanding his trophy collection in the coming months.
