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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Beckham moved to the States in 2007</li><li>Messi recently joined Inter Miami</li><li>Helped to raise profile of the game</li></ul>

Explained: Why Lionel Messi’s impact in MLS is different to that of ‘celebrity’ Man Utd, Real Madrid & LA Galaxy legend David Beckham

<p>The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is now working with Manchester United, Real Madrid and England legend Beckham <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/secret-meetings-10-year-project-how-david-beckham-signed-lionel-messi-inter-miami-co-owner/bltcc28a521e2bdff22 " target="_blank">at Inter Miami</a> – with the former LA Galaxy star <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-style-it-out-david-beckham-embarrassing-slip-lionel-messi-unveiling-inter-miami/blt5f500ccb4fb2524a" target="_blank">a co-owner in Florida</a>. He helped to raise the profile of American soccer when moving to California in 2007, with the door opened for more big names to make their way to the United States.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi headed down that path when becoming a free agent at Paris Saint-Germain and has hit 11 goals for Inter Miami through as many appearances – helping them to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">historic Leagues Cup crown</a>. MLS vice-president Nelson Rodriguez has said at the <em>Ole Sports Summit</em> of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/explained-how-lionel-messi-making-mls-league-of-choice-superstars/blt7d3dfd6510636c0e" target="_blank">having the Argentine icon in America</a>: “Messi is different from Beckham: he was a celebrity, and they knew him outside the sports pages while Leo won everything in sports, with class and humility. He is a father with three children, who dedicates goals to them. Seeing that the giants of American sports want to see him shows the respect that he carries around the world.”</p>

WHAT THEY SAID

<p>Messi has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-no1-inter-miami-superstar-ranked-coolest-above-lebron-james-serena-williams-kim-kardashian/bltdca6f8797dda84cc" target="_blank">attracted A-list guests to Inter Miami games</a>, with the likes of LeBron James, Serena Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio and Selena Gomez among those to have snapped up tickets. Rodriguez added on the long-term impact that Messi will have on MLS: “The numbers are incredible. And the impact will not be measured for another 10, 15 or 20 years. It is a pride that he has chosen Inter Miami and the MLS to follow his career.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Inter Miami were <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/lionel-messi-inter-miami-leonardo-campana-facundo-farias-sporting-kc/blt13186c7f54564bf1" target="_blank">without Messi for their latest fixture</a>, as he is away on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/is-lionel-messi-injured-inter-miami-argentina-wait-medical-test-results-rare-substitution/blt9f51cf239b37bb69" target="_blank">2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina</a>, but they were still able to emerge victorious in his absence and remain in the hunt for a play-off spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.</p>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Explained: Why Lionel Messi’s impact in MLS is different to that of ‘celebrity’ Man Utd, Real Madrid & LA Galaxy legend David Beckham | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi is starring in MLS, but the division’s vice-president has explained why his impact is different to that of “celebrity” David Beckham.

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