First day in Miami: Messi showed up at the field 3 hours early.

 First day in Miami: Messi showed up at the field 3 hours early.

Describing Lionel Messi in one word is quite a challenge, but it’s not impossible. To some, he’s a 'legend'; to others, he’s 'the best.' David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami and former England midfielder, succinctly captured Messi with one word: 'winner.'

Beckham shared this insight on Rio Ferdinand's podcast. Although he and Ferdinand were teammates for a short time at Manchester United, Beckham reminisced about a memorable experience with Messi during the episode. Messi also revealed what has had the greatest impact on him. To Beckham, this all highlights Messi's strong winning mentality.

Messi left PSG in July last year to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). Beckham shared Messi's journey at the Fort Lauderdale club on the "Rio Ferdinand Podcast," saying, "Leo is exceptional at teaching, especially young players coming out of the academy. He doesn’t let anyone think less of themselves. He leads by example in practice and is often the first to arrive at the gym and the last to leave. He even takes the time to watch youth games at the academy."

Beckham then remarked, "I don't think anyone can reach this level without that kind of drive. Let me tell you about the first day Messi came to our training ground. He arrived at the field at 6:50 AM, and the only person there was someone to let him in. The team practice didn’t even start until 10 AM."

Even at 37, Beckham views Messi's dedication in a unique light. When Ferdinand asked what Messi does in the gym before the rest of Inter Miami arrives for practice, Beckham replied, "It’s all about preparation. He’s making the most of his time in the gym. Whatever is expected of a young player, he’s doing it at his age. Despite everything he’s achieved, he’s still hungry to win. If I had to describe him in one word, it would be 'winner.' It’s not just about winning; he’s still driven to claim more titles. He gets frustrated when things don’t go right."

"He still gets upset when he loses a match," Beckham continued. "Even if he can’t play, he shows that passion. Whether he’s injured or on the sidelines, he’s present for every match. He doesn’t need to be there, but that’s just who he is—both as a person and a player. It’s truly incredible."

Beckham believes MLS has made significant progress in recent years. As the owner of Miami, he hopes the competition will gain global recognition and prominence with Messi's arrival. "There have been many changes in MLS over the past few years, and I’m very proud to be part of it. I know there’s still much work to be done, but bringing someone like Leo to America is, as I’ve always said, a real gift."