"The whole world will respect Messi" - David Beckham on how Messi changed football in the USA

The Messi effect has massively boosted the popularity of football in America.

Details: 50-year-old Inter Miami president David Beckham, in a recent interview, summed up the impact of Lionel Messi and the changes that have swept through the team and American football as a whole since the Argentine star joined Inter Miami.

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Beckham believes that Leo will be respected in every corner of the world, as his genius transforms any place for the better, wherever he goes:

"Messi has changed everything since his arrival in America. Football, which used to rank fifth or sixth in popularity, is now the number one sport. Everyone is in awe of what he does. I remember when he attended a basketball game, and the entire crowd left their seats, chanting his name and welcoming him. The whole world will continue to respect him," Beckham said.

Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 as a free agent after his contract with PSG expired. Since then, the Argentine has played 88 matches for Inter, scoring 77 goals and providing 44 assists. Messi also led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS championship.

Leo's current contract with Inter Miami runs until 2028.

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