David Beckham introduced football’s two GOATs to each other on Saturday night, after welcoming Tom Brady to see Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in action.
Argentina star Messi also had to watch from the stands as he recovers from an ankle issue but met Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner, to celebrate after Miami beat Cincinnati 2-0 to qualify for Major League Soccer’s playoffs.
And Brady joked that he was going to bring Messi to Birmingham after the game – the English team he owns a minority stake in. He wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m bringing Leo Messi back to Birmingham with me. Sorry David Beckham.’
Brady was also presented with his own pink Miami jersey by Beckham before the start of Saturday’s game.
‘THE GREATEST,’ Beckham captioned the picture, posting two ‘goat’ emojis and tagging Brady and Messi. ‘Doesn’t get any better to watch us go into the playoffs.’
David Beckham introduced Lionel Messi to Tom Brady at Saturday’s Inter Miami game
Brady joked he was going to take Messi to Birmingham with him after Saturday’s game
Beckham also presented Brady with his own Inter Miami jersey before the MLS game
Brady, 47, and Beckham have been friends for years and their families have spent time together in Miami before. Former NFL star Brady lives in Florida – albeit four hours away from Miami, in a newly built $17million mansion in Tampa.
World Cup winner Messi, meanwhile, joined Miami last year in a move that has galvanized the game in the United States.
Beckham was the driving force in recruiting the former Barcelona player, who like Brady is considered the best ever in his sport, to America and onto the team he co-owns.
And Beckham rolled out the red carpet once he got his man – with a little help from Brady.
He unveiled Messi at a star-studded opening ceremony at Miami’s Freedom Park stadium last July and Brady was one of several stars who sent Messi a welcome message that was played out on the screens.
Later that year, Messi led Miami to win the Leagues Cup trophy – the team’s first since it was founded by Beckham – but they failed to make the playoffs.
Messi has been admired by Brady for years. Before the 2018 Super Bowl, which Brady’s New England Patriots lost against the Philadelphia Eagles, the quarterback underlined how Messi is an athlete who he follows away from his own sport.
‘I love Messi, he is a great player – however, I am a little older than him,’ Brady said, via Sports Illustrated.
‘I love soccer, I’ve watched it for a long time. I admire him, he’s a great athlete.’
Brady, who is about to start working as an NFL analyst for FOX on a $375million 10-year deal, ventured into the other football after becoming a minority owner of English team Birmingham last year.
Brady and Beckham have been friends for years – here, Beckham and his daughter Harper are picture with Brady and his daughter Vivian
The sporting duo are often seen spending time together when they are both in Florida
His first season involved with the team was a disaster – they were relegated from the second tier but have started the new season with two wins and a draw.
After winning 2-1 against Leyton Orient on Saturday, Brady took to Instagram with a message for the Birmingham fans: ‘Great Win! We need your support all year long!’
Messi, meanwhile, is definitely expected to be back for Miami by the playoffs in October.