David Beckham’s determined pursuit of footballing excellence looks set to be formally recognised next week, as the former England captain will reportedly be knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours. The accolade comes just as his transformative work at Inter Miami—most notably the stunning acquisition of Lionel Messi—continues to draw widespread attention.
Since launching the Major League Soccer franchise back in 2014, Beckham has been instrumental in reshaping Miami’s footballing landscape. Selecting the city as the base for his new club, he fulfilled a vision of returning top-flight football to a region that had long been devoid of a professional men’s team. That vision paid dividends years later when Inter Miami secured the signing of Argentina’s greatest footballing export, Lionel Messi.
Integral to Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami, it seems, wasn’t just Beckham’s football strategy or ambition, but also the warm welcome extended to the Messi family. Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi’s wife, recently shared her appreciation for their reception in Miami, highlighting how the city and Inter Miami made their transition seamless. “What I love the most about Miami is the climate, the people, and the landscape,” Roccuzzo explained during an interview with Haute Living, encapsulating the affectionate atmosphere that greeted her family.
The family’s arrival in Miami was met with great fanfare, including a lavish unveiling event for Messi at the DRV PNK Stadium. Roccuzzo remarked that the scale of the welcome far surpassed their expectations and noted how easy it had been for their children to settle into their new home. “Our main concern was that the kids might not like it or adjust well, but from day one, they adapted very well,” she said, praising both the club’s attention to their needs and Miami’s hospitality.
Lionel Messi himself echoed these sentiments, underscoring not only the appeal of the city but also the human touch behind their relocation. The football legend was quick to acknowledge how the efforts from the club—led by Beckham—and the broader Miami community made the drastic move from Paris to Florida straightforward and enjoyable. “We were convinced we wanted to come here, and the people made it very easy, the people in the club and the people I see day to day in the streets and the amazing city, it makes living here very easy and happy,” Messi noted.
Looking back on their experiences in both Barcelona and Paris, Messi expressed how different the transition to Miami had been. He and his family faced considerable challenges adapting to Paris, but the support in Miami, including assistance from schools and local organisations, smoothed the process. The contrast highlights Beckham’s success not only in recruitment but in building a club culture centred on community and belonging.
Beckham’s forthcoming knighthood reflects more than his prowess on the football pitch. With an OBE already awarded in 2003 for his sporting and philanthropic work, the knighthood is a testament to his ongoing impact on and off the field. Beyond his decorated playing career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and England, Beckham’s influence now extends across the Atlantic, reshaping US football culture and championing inclusivity within the sport.
Joining the likes of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Sir Bobby Charlton, Beckham will become the latest in a line of Manchester United icons to receive the prestigious honour. It is also notable that he will be the first ex-footballer to be knighted since Sir Kenny Dalglish in 2018, marking a significant moment for the sport’s recognition in royal circles.
The journey from player to owner has solidified Beckham’s place as one of football’s true ambassadors. Meanwhile, the positive experiences of stars like Messi and their families suggest that Beckham’s legacy as a builder of football communities will endure as robustly as his footballing exploits ever did.