Messi embraces David Beckham and his wife after thrilling shootout win

Lionel Messi celebrated his first cup win with Inter Miami by embracing co-owner David Beckham and his wife Victoria on Saturday night in Nashville.

After an on-field pile-on with his Miami teammates, Messi found his way into the arms of an ecstatic Beckham, who could hardly contain his joy.

Beckham, himself a former MLS star, was seen whispering in Messi’s ear before the Argentinian legend shared a brief hug with Victoria. Beckham and his wife also shared their own on-field embrace, which came after five difficult seasons in Miami as the club has struggled to get out of the MLS basement.

Messi was, once again, the man of the match on Saturday. Not only did he score early in regulation, but he also converted the first shot in penalty kicks as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final.

Messi scored for the 10th time in seven games since joining Inter Miami, converting in the 23rd minute.

The ball landed at Messi’s feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal. Diving goalkeeper Elliot Panicco had no chance at playing the ball.

Messi wasn’t particularly influential before he scored the goal, and the crowd showered him with boos each time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored.

Nashville tied the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault’s header off a corner kick ricocheted off Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi and into the net off goalkeeper Drake Callendar.

Messi had a shot from the area he had scored from earlier in the 71st