(Credit: Jose Luis Malegarejo)
(Credit: Jose Luis Malegarejo)

Alan Shearer and Kieran Trippier react to David Beckham's 'unbelievable' Inter Miami message

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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David Beckham took to social media after Inter Miami made history against Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Club World Cup is 20 matches into its new format and the heavy pre-tournament criticism of FIFA is yet to subside, with low crowd numbers, some one-sided scorelines, and several below-par stalemates.

Bayern Munich's 10-0 victory over New Zealand part-timers Auckland City damaged the competition's credibility as a top-level tournament, but other results have drawn attention to the lesser-known teams.

Chelsea's 2-0 win over LAFC saw Liam Delap make an impressive first appearance against predeccessor Olivier Giroud, and Inter Miami then took the attention on the tournament to new heights on Thursday.

Lionel Messi proved to be Inter Miami's hero against Porto in Atlanta (Credit: Imago)
Lionel Messi proved to be Inter Miami's hero against Porto in Atlanta (Credit: Imago)

Beckham 'proud' as Inter Miami make history v Porto

The Club World Cup's opening match on 14 June failed to impress as Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Egyptian champions Al-Ahly, before Palmeiras and Porto followed that result with yet another goalless stalemate.

The second round of Group A fixtures brought much more drama, however, as Miami came from behind to beat Porto 2-1 and became the first ever MLS side to beat a European team in a competitve match.

Lionel Messi appropriately curled home a perfectly-placed free-kick in the 54th minute to complete Miami's turnaround, and Beckham was quick to praise his talisman in a post on Instagram (20 June).

In a post liked by his former England team-mate Alan Shearer and current Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier, Beckham said: "Unbelievable… a record breaking night in Atlanta.

"The first @mls team to beat a European team in an official competition… very proud – Vamos Inter Miami".

Inter Miami bounce back from De Bruyne setback.

Football Insider Verdict

Upset victories have given different complexions to Groups A and B in the Club World Cup, and PSG's shock loss to Botafogo has blown the latter wide open with just one match left to play for in Group B.

Miami and Palmeiras sitting three points clear of Porto in Group A with one match remaining is a scenario few would have seen coming, and as things stand, Beckham's side will face Botafogo in the round of 16.

Beckham was one of several club owners to make an offer to Kevin De Bruyne in the wake of his exit from Manchester City last month, but Miami's likely progress to the Club World Cup knockout stages suggests that they'll be just fine without him.

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