David Beckham credits Ted Lasso, Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney with giving American soccer ‘air’ – with Richmond & Wrexham boom allowing Inter Miami to sign Lionel Messi

Manchester United and England legend Beckham helped to raise the stock of MLS when linking up with the LA Galaxy in 2007. Several big names have headed to the United States since then, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Wayne Rooney.

Beckham is chasing the American dream again as a co-owner at Inter Miami, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi joining him in Florida. There is plenty of U.S. interest elsewhere – with famous faces buying into the British game – while shows such as Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham have opened up a window the world.

Beckham is delighted to have played a part in that boom, telling Variety of how the game continues to grow Stateside: “I do think they play into it. That’s why I moved to America in 2007 with my family to join the MLS and to join the Galaxy — because I knew that there was potential. It was always going to be a challenge, and I’m glad that I played a small role in making the league as big as it is now, but it takes moments like what we’ve just done [with Messi]. It takes things like Ted Lasso, and it takes people like Ryan and Rob to give it that bit of air. I’ve always said it: America wants to be the best at everything. I love that and that’s why I wanted to live in America, because I love that culture, that positivity.”

Messi is expected to entice more household names to America – having been reunited with Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba – with Mexico international Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and experienced German star Marco Reus seeing imminent moves lined up.