Inter Miami

History of Inter Miami CF: David Beckham's Dream and Lionel Messi's MLS Cup

Born from David Beckham's ambition and carried to the top by Lionel Messi, Inter Miami became within a few years the most talked-about club in North American football. In December 2025 they won the first MLS Cup in their history.

1. The Beckham Project (2007–2019)

The story began in 2007, when David Beckham signed a contract with LA Galaxy that included a unique option: the right to acquire an MLS expansion franchise later at a discounted price. He chose Miami. After years searching for land and partners, the project came to fruition with brothers Jorge and José Mas, and the club was officially unveiled in 2018 as Inter Miami CF — "Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami". It adopted pink and black, colours unprecedented in professional football, and a crest featuring two herons.

2. Difficult Beginnings (2020–2022)

Inter Miami played their first MLS season in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, in a temporary stadium built in Fort Lauderdale. The first seasons were difficult, marked by inconsistent results and salary-cap sanctions. But behind the scenes the club was preparing a move that would change everything.

3. July 2023: Lionel Messi Arrives

On 15 July 2023, Inter Miami unveiled Lionel Messi, world champion and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. The effect was immediate and global: record ticket and shirt sales, worldwide audiences and celebrities in the stands. Within weeks Messi delivered the club's first trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup. His former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez joined him. In 2024 Inter Miami won the Supporters' Shield with a record points total in MLS history.

4. 2025: The Club World Cup and a First MLS Cup

Invited to the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, Inter Miami beat FC Porto 2–1 in the group stage and reached the round of 16, where they were eliminated by European champions Paris Saint-Germain. The end of the year was historic: on 6 December 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in the MLS Cup final to win the first championship in their history. With two assists, Lionel Messi was named the final's most valuable player.

5. 2026: A New Stadium and a Home World Cup

The club is preparing to move into its new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, at the heart of a large urban development. In 2026 Miami was one of the World Cup host cities, staging among other matches the third-place play-off between England and France, confirming the spectacular growth of football in South Florida.

6. Looking Ahead

MLS champions and the continent's most followed club on social media, Inter Miami now aim for the CONCACAF Champions Cup and to establish themselves durably as an institution of North American football, beyond the Messi era.