David Beckham reveals Lionel Messi's Barcelona return plan post-retirement, with Inter Miami co-owner resigned to seeing eight-time Ballon d'Or winner leave Florida

The MLS outfit, who allowed Messi to go chasing the American dream in 2023, have their talismanic captain tied to a contract through 2025. That deal includes the option for a 12-month extension that would take in the next World Cup finals, with Herons co-owner Jorge Mas having said of talks there: “Leo and I will sit down to discuss the future. I fully expect that when our new stadium opens in 2026, Leo Messi will be our number 10.”

Messi has, however, never hidden the fact that he intends to retrace steps to Barcelona once his record-setting career comes to a close. Beckham concedes that Florida will be bidding farewell to the Argentine GOAT, with the Manchester United legend saying at the Economic Forum in Davos: “I would like Messi to live in Miami when he retires, but Leo told me that he only thinks about living near the Camp Nou. There is no player who loves Barcelona as much as he does. You can see the Barca crest on his leg and even on his water bottle.”

Messi still considers Catalunya to be home and wants to return to that part of the world with wife Antonela and their three sons once retirement is reached. He does, however, still have plenty to achieve in the United States prior to that.

Beckham added on working with Messi and Inter Miami’s ambitious plans: “I have always believed in potential. You know, the United States is a powerful country, one of the biggest countries with the best opportunities and you believe in that. When I moved to the United States, I knew it was a land of opportunity. I knew I wanted to live in the United States at some point and create a business like the one we have done. Now I sit in my chair, in Miami, in that stadium and Leo walks onto the field and I think ‘I'm very proud of that’.”

Inter Miami are currently in pre-season action, as they line up against opponents from across the Americas, and Messi – who savoured MVP honours in MLS last season – is determined to add to his medal collection over the coming months.