Explained: How Lionel Messi almost prevented David Beckham driving home after storybook Inter Miami debut

Messi scored a direct free kick to fire his team to a 2-1 win against Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup in his first game since joining on a free transfer in July. Inter Miami's first taste of Messi's greatness left co-owner Beckham amazed.

Beckham told TIME: “I remember getting in the car on the way back, and I said to Victoria, ‘I’m not even sure I can drive home’. You couldn’t have written it better. It was for MLS, and for America. It was for the future of the game."

Messi went on to score nine more goals as Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup, their first ever trophy. Unfortunately for the Florida club, the World Cup winner was unable to fire them to the MLS playoffs, as he scored just one goal in six matches in the American division.

The 36-year-old and his Inter-Miami team-mates is preparing for the new MLS season, which is expected to kick off in late-February 2024. Even though he's not in action, he's still been picking up awards, with TIME naming him their Athlete of Year recently.