‘Lionel Messi will need time to adapt in MLS’: David Beckham

Argentina’s Lionel Messi trains in Florida on Tuesday. Pic/AFP

David Beckham believes Lionel Messi will need time to adapt to Major League Soccer, even though the standard of play is at a "different level" from the European game.

Inter Miami co-owner Beckham, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, watched Messi take part in his first training session for the club on Tuesday after signing a two and a half year contract. Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, a former teammate of Messi's from Barcelona, also trained at the club's complex, after signing on Saturday, with former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo ‘Tata' Martino leading the session.

David Beckham

"Leo's still going to need, no matter how good he is, no matter what his stature is, he and Sergio are going to need time to adapt no matter," said the Englishman. "They might surprise us, we might start winning every single game, but we have to be patient," he said.

Also Read: Lionel Messi partakes in first training session since signing with Inter Miami: Watch

Miami's fans may need to show that patience at Friday's Leagues Cup game against Mexicans Cruz Azul, with Beckham saying the Argentine may not necessarily start. "Leo will play some part of the game but that will be down to the coach [and] it'll be down to Leo to decide if he's ready because we know that he's been away for a few weeks with his family but he looks sharp, he looks great but he's going to need time to adapt as well," said Beckham.

Beckham was the biggest name to have moved to MLS when he signed for the Galaxy in 2007 when the league had just 13 clubs, compared to 29 today and the standard of play was significantly lower.

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