Lionel Messi and David Beckham were El Clasico rivals – now Real Madrid legend needs Inter Miami’s star man for more glory
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.
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.
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
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