David Beckham has finally broken his silence. Four days before Inter Miami plays its first-ever Major League Soccer match, the club's co-owner opened up about the long and difficult journey that brought the franchise to life. In a rare public statement, the former England captain said he wants to leave a lasting mark in Florida.

&x201C;I want to leave a trace, and I want my children to be able to say in 20 years, &x2018;My dad helped build this club,&x2019;&x201D; Beckham said on Wednesday.

The comments came ahead of Sunday's season opener on the road against Los Angeles FC, a moment that caps a years-long effort to establish a new team in Miami. Beckham had been largely quiet in recent months, but with the historic match approaching, he reflected on the obstacles that almost derailed the project.

A Dream That Almost Fell Apart

Beckham&x2019;s intention to become an MLS club owner dates back to 2014. At that time, he was still basking in the glow of a stellar playing career that had taken him from Manchester United to Real Madrid and then to the LA Galaxy, where he became one of the most recognizable athletes in America. However, his fame alone was not enough to get a stadium built and a franchise approved in South Florida.

&x201C;There was that time when I was at home, on the phone with the commissioner (Don Garber). He told us how difficult it would be,&x201D; Beckham recalled. &x201C;There were moments when we thought, &x2018;Honestly, are we going to make this happen?&x2019;&x201D;

The early years were marked by endless negotiations over stadium sites, political wrangling, and community opposition. Beckham, a global superstar, quickly discovered that his celebrity status carried little weight in Miami&x2019;s complex real estate and political landscape.

&x201C;I come from east London, not Miami, so for me to go there, try to buy land, talk to politicians, it was getting us nowhere,&x201D; he admitted.

A Turning Point: The Mas Brothers

The project finally gained traction in December 2017, when Beckham joined forces with Jorge and Jose Mas, two prominent Miami businessmen. The partnership provided the local knowledge, financial muscle, and political connections that had been missing.

&x201C;I didn&x2019;t want to be in partnership with people who would do this out of vanity,&x201D; Beckham said. &x201C;They are not vain, and neither am I. It was the dream partnership for us. It changed everything.&x201D;

Jorge Mas, now the club&x2019;s managing owner, and his brother Jose, a successful real estate developer, helped secure a stadium site in Fort Lauderdale, about 30 miles north of downtown Miami. The club broke ground on a 20,000-seat venue, which was later named DRV PNK Stadium, thanks to a sponsorship deal with a health care company.

Building the Club from Scratch

Inter Miami officially joined MLS as its 25th franchise. The club&x2019;s name and colors were unveiled in September 2018, with a distinctive pink and black design that Beckham helped shape. The crest features two herons, a nod to the bird that has become a symbol of the city&x2019;s canals and waterfront.

The club moved quickly to build its roster. Diego Alonso was appointed as the first head coach in January 2020, bringing with him experience from Mexican club football. The team signed a mix of international players and MLS veterans, including Uruguayan striker Diego Alonso? No, the coach is Diego Alonso. Let me clarify: the coach is Diego Alonso, and the players included Rodolfo Pizarro, Matias Pellegrini, and Julian Carranza. The captain was Luis Robles, a veteran goalkeeper.

Despite the excitement, Beckham acknowledged that the club&x2019;s debut season was not without uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic was just beginning to spread across the globe, and the league would soon suspend play. But at the time of his comments, the focus was purely on the opening match against LAFC, a team coached by Bob Bradley and featuring Mexican star Carlos Vela.

The First Match: A Homecoming of Sorts

The opener against LAFC was significant for Beckham on a personal level. Los Angeles is where he spent five seasons as a player, winning two MLS Cup titles with the LA Galaxy. It was also where he first experienced American soccer culture, helping to raise the league&x2019;s profile during his time there.

Sunday's match was always going to be emotional, but the real homecoming will come on March 14, when Inter Miami plays its first home game at the new Fort Lauderdale stadium. In a twist of fate, the opponent that day will be none other than the LA Galaxy, the club where Beckham became a transformative figure in North American soccer.

&x201C;The stars have aligned,&x201D; one club insider said.

Beckham's Long Road to Ownership

Beckham&x2019;s path to ownership was unusual. When he signed with the Galaxy in 2007, his contract included an option to purchase an MLS expansion franchise at a fixed price of $25 million. That clause was negotiated by his longtime friend and business partner Simon Fuller, and it would become central to Beckham&x2019;s post-playing career.

After retiring in 2013, Beckham spent years searching for the right location. He initially looked at several cities, but Miami quickly became the preferred destination. The city had a large Latin American population with a deep passion for football, and its international profile made it an attractive market for a new franchise.

But the road was rocky. Early plans to build a waterfront stadium in downtown Miami were blocked by local politicians and a group of residents who opposed the public financing package. Beckham&x2019;s team then explored alternative sites, including Overtown and Little Havana, before settling on Fort Lauderdale as a temporary home.

The Legacy Beckham Wants to Leave

While Beckham&x2019;s playing career is already legendary, he has made it clear that his work in Miami is about more than business. He sees Inter Miami as a way to give back to the sport that made him famous and to create something that outlasts him.

His comments on Wednesday struck a personal note. He spoke about his children, who have grown up watching their father transition from player to entrepreneur. He wants them to know that he built something meaningful for the community.

&x201C;I want my kids to be proud of me, not just because of what I did on the pitch, but because of what I did off it,&x201D; he said.

Beckham also spoke about his vision for the club beyond the opening season. He wants Inter Miami to be a club that develops young talent, competes for trophies, and becomes a fixture in South Florida&x2019;s sporting landscape. He has been actively involved in the design of the team&x2019;s training facilities and youth academy, which he believes will be the engine of future success.

Miami's Soccer Passion

South Florida has a long and complicated history with professional soccer. The Miami Fusion played in MLS from 1998 to 2001 before folding due to low attendance and poor results. Later, the Miami FC of the North American Soccer League tried to gain a foothold, but the club never reached the top tier.

Inter Miami is therefore not just another franchise; it is an attempt to prove that the Miami market can sustain elite professional soccer. Beckham and his partners have invested heavily in the club&x2019;s infrastructure, knowing that on-field success and fan engagement will be essential to long-term viability.

The club has already built a loyal following, even before playing its first match. Season tickets sold out quickly, and the team&x2019;s pink merchandise has become a fashion statement across the city. Beckham&x2019;s global brand has also brought significant visibility, with the club attracting attention from international media and potential commercial partners.

Challenges Ahead

The 2020 season presents numerous challenges for Inter Miami. The team is young and relatively unproven, with a roster that combines experienced internationals with promising prospects. Alonso, the head coach, has had limited time to implement his system, and the travel demands of a transcontinental league will test the squad&x2019;s depth.

Off the pitch, the club is still searching for a permanent stadium in downtown Miami. The Fort Lauderdale venue is considered a temporary solution, and plans for a major stadium complex in Miami remain on the drawing board. Beckham and his partners have been in discussions with local officials for years, and the process is likely to stretch on for several more.

There is also the lingering shadow of the pandemic. As the MLS season got underway in early 2020, the spread of the novel coronavirus had already led to postponements in other leagues around the world. Clubs in the United States were beginning to implement precautions, and there was widespread speculation that MLS might be forced to suspend play as well. Beckham did not address these concerns directly, but the uncertainty was palpable.

For Beckham, the match against LAFC is a moment of triumph, but also a starting line. The club he dreamed of building is finally here, and now he must watch it take flight. The stakes are high, but he seems to relish the pressure.

&x201C;I have never been afraid of hard work,&x201D; he said. &x201C;And I have never been afraid to fail. That is how you learn. That is how you succeed.&x201D;

Beckham will likely remain a visible presence around the team in the coming months, traveling to away matches and sitting in the owners&x2019; box at home games. He has said that he does not intend to interfere with the day-to-day coaching, but his influence will be felt throughout the organization.

The legacy he is building in Miami is still in its early stages. But a decade from now, when the club is established and the stadium is rising in a new location, Beckham&x2019;s greatest achievement as an owner may not be measured in trophies alone, but in the simple fact that he dared to turn a dream into reality.

Source: L'Équipe News