‘He’s just taking the p**s,’ say fans as they spot ‘savage’ Messi’s ‘disrespectful’ skill against injured opponent

DAVID BECKHAM’S biggest season yet at Inter Miami got off to a fine start as Lionel Messi inspired their win over Real Salt Lake.

Beckham flew into Florida for the curtain raiser of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, watching his star-studded side alongside Hollywood icon Will Smith among other celebrities.

The former England captain needed a performance to live up to the glitz and hype ahead of the game. Fireworks shot above the Chase Stadium as Beckham introduced new signing Luis Suarez ahead of kick-off.

While Messi did not score the opening goal, he was still putting on a show, playing with swagger and a smile.

Having hit the bar trying to score directly from a corner, the World Cup winner setup Robert Taylor to grab the first after 39 minutes with a fine through ball.

Then the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner really started showing off.

Messi drove towards goal but found the injured Andrew Brody sprawled out in his path. Whereas for anyone else the move would end there, the Argentine showed supreme touch to lift the ball over Brody, tip-toe around him and get a shot off.

There was a sign of the new Stateside circus around Messi, who was stalked from the touchline by his own personal bodyguard, as he shared a hug with Smith in the pitchside hospitality seats as he headed down the tunnel.

Miami, who won their maiden trophy following Messi’s arrival last season, are looking to claim the MLS Cup – effectively the league title – for the first time in the club’s history.

With their capture of Messi followed by the arrival of former Barcelona teammates Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Beckham’s boys are clear favourites with the bookies to storm MLS this season.

There were a few mistakes from the hosts dotted throughout the second half which went unpunished to prove that stardust alone won’t get them across the line.

But on occasion it does. After a second half on the back foot, a tired looking Messi and Suarez burst back into life to combine and set up Diego Gomez to score a stunning second with a scintillating break from the halfway line.

Seconds later Suarez was denied his first goal for the club when Zac MacMath made a stunning near post save from the Uruguayan’s close range strike which came at the end of another Messi break.

The Argentine then almost got his own name on the scoresheet with a seamless run from the right, before seeing his effort stopped.

At full time the fireworks went up again into the South Florida sky and Beckham will be praying they can continue all season long.