David Beckham has spoken of his pride at personally deciding that Inter Miami would play in pink – despite being warned against it.
With Lionel Messi now on the team, the jersey has become one of the most in-demand across the globe. The New York Times even claimed Beckham himself reportedly had to wait for more to be made this year when he wanted to gift one to a friend.
But years ago, when Beckham was planning for what he wanted Inter Miami to be and the idea of Messi in Major League Soccer was a wild dream, he decided that his club would play in pink.
Speaking to The Times, Beckham said: ‘Drive around Miami and it’s a very recurring color. At the time a lot of people were saying “don’t go for pink”.
‘I was the one who said it has to be the main color. So that was me. I’m actually very proud of it. I am glad I held my nerve and pushed it through.’
David Beckham has revealed he personally decided that Inter Miami would play in pink
Messi’s arrival at Miami has now made the jersey one of the most iconic in the game
Beckham has spoken repeatedly of his pride at seeing Messi playing for Inter Miami
The specific shade, according to The Times, is Pantone 1895 C and it’s a color that fans are seeing more and more of, across the globe.
Messi has had a sensational impact on MLS in the short time he has been a Miami player.
He spearheaded the team’s Leagues Cup triumph earlier this year – a victory that left Beckham visibly emotional as he celebrated on the field with his players after beating Nashville on penalties.
Miami also made the final of the US Open Cup but lost to Houston Dynamo – Messi was injured and missed the game. They narrowly failed to make the MLS post-season playoffs after a disastrous start to the season under previous coach Phil Neville.
Beckham had to fire Neville, one of his long-time friends in the game from their time at Manchester United together, and replaced him with Tata Martino – a coach Messi knew from time at Barcelona and Argentina.
And as well as signing Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba followed from Barcelona to Florida.
Messi, 36, has a contract up to 2025 with an option for a further year with Miami. He earns between $50-60million in the US, with adidas contributing to his salary through shirt sales and Apple giving him a cut of MLS television subscriptions.
‘From day one, he was the dream player I wanted to bring to Miami,’ Beckham added. ‘I see him in our kit, I watch him train and play, and I can’t believe that we have Lionel Messi in our club.’
