With Messi and Nu Stadium, Inter Miami dream coming true for David Beckham
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored for Inter Miami, which settled for a 2-2 contest against Austin FC at Nu Stadium on Saturday, April 4.
MIAMI — David Beckham started his journey to bring a Major League Soccer team to Miami at least 13 years ago. And it’s been nearly 30 years since the Miami Fusion set up shop in Fort Lauderdale, like Inter Miami has for the past six seasons. On Saturday, an MLS club finally played a league match in Miami.
It might have been a draw, but there was still reason to celebrate. Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi score his team's first goal in the new stadium, and Uruguayan great Luis Suarez scored the equalizer for Inter Miami , which settled for a 2-2 draw against Austin FC at Nu Stadium on Saturday, April 4. Austin FC’s Guilherme Biro scored the stadium’s first goal, while Jayden Nelson added a goal to push Inter Miami on the brink in the inaugural match.
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas stood alongside Beckham and brother Jose Mas atop the stadium steps to cut a celebratory pink ribbon before the match. Beckham and Mas addressed fans before the game, commemorating the dream they both shared to reach the moment. “When I came to America and the MLS 20 years ago, my dream was to win championships, help raise the game of soccer that I love so much and to build my own team,” Beckham said.
“Thirteen years ago, I announced Miami was my choice. We had no name. We had no fans.