Author: bang3

Lady Kitty Spencer said that she is ‘extremely proud’ of her cousin Prince William‘s work to support homeless charities.

Princess Diana‘s niece, 33, attended the Centrepoint Awards at the British Museum on Wednesday alongside the future king.

Dressed in a stunning Dolce & Gabbana custom gown – embroidered with a cityscape of Venice – and flanked by her twin sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer –   Lady Kitty said that William’s passion and commitment to the cause ‘inspires’ her deeply, in a rare personal tribute.

 She told HELLO: ‘I’m extremely proud of my cousin Prince William for all that he does and continues to do to support Centrepoint and the vital work they provide to homeless young people.

‘His dedication to Centrepoint throughout the years has been unwavering, and his efforts have made a significant impact in raising awareness and driving positive change for those in need.’

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Lady Kitty said that William’s passion and commitment to the cause ‘inspires’ her deeply, in a rare personal tribute

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During his childhood, the late Princess of Wales took William (pictured last Wednesday) and Harry to homeless shelters as she was keen to show them the life that some people face

 She later took to Instagram to add it was a pleasure to celebrate and she was ‘so proud’ to be an ambassador for the charity.

Earl Charles Spencer’s daughter has been an ambassador for Centrepoint and said that the awards ceremony holds a special place in her heart.

‘I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that Centrepoint’s support can have, turning lives around and providing a pathway to a brighter future,’ she told the magazine.

The aristocrat said that the ceremony reminds her why she is ‘so passionate’ about this cause, as they listen to stories from those who have overcome adversity.

Lady Kitty was joined by her younger sisters, twins Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza, 32, and the trio co-ordinated their outfits, each wearing a light shade of blue.

Amelia and Kitty showcased their impressive ‘twinning’ fashion, each donning a silk dress with slightly varied but equally striking silhouettes and accessories from Boodles.

The late Princess Diana was a longtime and passionate supporter of initiatives to end homelessness.

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The cousins of Prince William posed for photographs outside the British Museum on Wednesday evening

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Prince William became the patron of Centrepoint in 2005, taking the role from his mother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997

Prince William became the patron of Centrepoint in 2005, taking the role from his mother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997.

During his childhood, the late Princess of Wales took William and Harry to homeless shelters as she was keen to show them the life that some people face.

Aged 13, the William said: ‘If I become King, I will let the homeless live in our palaces,’ according to Richard Kay.

At the event, Lady Kitty opted for a sheer lace dress illustrated with a Venice-like scene, complete with floral embroidery.

Each of the sisters opted for a similarly glamorous makeup look, accentuated with a touch of pink blusher.

While Eliza chose to style her blonde tresses loose for the occasion, Kitty and Amelia sported sleek updos.

King Charles and Queen Camilla experienced a ghostly reminder of the past as they signed Australia’s first Bible on the second day of their tour.

The royal couple are on a six-day tour of Australia, their first since the King ascended to the throne, and as part of their duties, were asked to sign the country’s first Bible and book of common prayer.

Every member of the Royal Family has signed the Bible, which belonged to Rev Richard Johnson, the first Christian Minister in Australia, on previous royal visits.

The late Queen Elizabeth signed it in 1954 during the first visit of a reigning monarch to these shores, with the Archbishop saying the Bible ‘represents a significant history of this church and nation’.

With his own fountain pen, the King signed the Bible on a page beneath the signature of the late Princess of Wales from their 1983 visit.

The King alluded to his inevitable jet-lag as he signed, joking: ‘What day is it again?’ and chuckling.

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Every member of the Royal Family has signed the Bible, which belonged to Rev Richard Johnson, the first Christian Minister in Australia, on previous royal visits

King Charles makes witty joke while attending church service

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King Charles signs a copy of the Bible as Queen Camilla looks on during a visit to St Thomas’ Anglican Church

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The signatures of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are seen along with other British royals including Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Diana, the Princess of Wales

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Queen Camilla signs a Bible and book of common prayer as she attends Church

It has also been inscribed by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in October 1988 and the now Prince and Princess of Wales in April 2014.

The church presented the royal visitors with gifts including a rugby ball, cricket ball and toy koala for them to take home for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Later The King undertook his first major ceremonial duty – and an impromptu royal walkabout – as he visited the New South Wales Legislative Council to mark its bicentenary.

Stepping outside to loud cheers from the hundreds gathered on the lawn opposite the church, the King waved before walking over to speak to members of the public.

Some well-wishers said they had begun queuing at 5am to get a prime spot to see the couple, with others in the crowd flying in from other parts of Australia especially.

Charles said to one person: ‘It’s a beautiful day’ as several others shouted: ‘We love you.’

Speaking afterwards the Archbishop said: ‘It’s been a great pleasure and privilege to have their majesties with us here at St Thomas’, North Sydney.

‘This church has a family connection with His Majesty because his great grandfather as a teenage boy laid the cornerstone.’

He added: ‘It was lovely for this local church to be able to welcome the sovereign King Charles and Queen Camilla to join us in worship today we are absolutely thrilled.

‘There has been a great feel.

‘People are very happy to see them and they received a very generous, warm welcome.

‘And Their Majesties were also very generous in greeting lots of people soon after their jet lag.’

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Charles greets the crowd outside after attending a Sunday church service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend church service in Australia

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Queen Camila thanks a well-wisher for offering her flowers outside St Thomas’ Anglican Church

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King Charles and Queen Camila wave at the crowds gathered to welcome their arrival in Sydney (pictured)

King Charles waves to the crowds as he arrives in Australia for visit

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A girl wearing a tiara and princess dress waves at the King as he passes crowds on the way to church

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet the crowd during a visit to St. Thomas’s Anglican Church

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The King and Queen greet young well wishers as they enter St Thomas’ Church

When the then Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, touched down in Australia in 1983, they faced a barrage of anti-royal sentiment.

The Daily Mail reported at the time how Australian prime minister Bob Hawke didn’t even bow to the couple, though his wife Hazel did.

Anti-royal Hawke at first dismissed their visit as not the ‘most important thing’ he would be doing in his first several months as the country’s new leader, historian Robert Lacey told in his book Battle Of Brothers.

However, by the end of the trip they had won the hearts of many Australians.

King Charles and Queen Camilla received the warmest of welcomes on their first full day of engagements in Australia today.

Arriving at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney in the morning, the royal duo were met with loud cheers from the hundreds of well-wishers who waved Australian flags, brought bouquets of flowers and toy koalas.

Prince William has taken a conciliatory step in his feud with Prince Harry by publicly naming him for what is believed to be the first time in six years.

Speaking in a new documentary, William recounts how Princess Diana took the brothers to a homeless shelter in London as children to show the realities of life outside the palace.

The film, titled ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’, includes poignant unseen photos of William and Diana at the Passage in Westminster.

In one, taken when Princess Diana visited with William on 14 June 1993 just days before his eleventh birthday, the young Prince is seen studiously playing chess with a homeless man at the shelter.

Another, taken in December that year, shows a suited-and-booted young William standing alongside his mother at the shelter, his arms stuffed with presents to give.

Prince William in ITV documentary: ‘ We can end homelessness’

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Prince William has publicly named Harry for what is believed to be the first time in six years

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Prince William and Diana, Princess of Wales, during a visit to The Passage in London

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The documentary reunites the brothers on screen, if only via an old photo of both boys visiting the shelter in 1993

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A young Prince William plays chess during a visit to The Passage

‘My mother took me to the Passage, she took Harry and I both there… I’d never been to anything like that before and I was a bit anxious as to what to expect,’ explains William.

‘My mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed and having a joke with everyone…I remember having some good conversation, playing chess and chatting.

‘You meet people, like I did then, who put a different perspective in your head.’

The emotive opening highlights how the Prince’s passion to end homelessness is driven by memories of his mother.

The film emphasises how trauma and family breakdown are common causes of homelessness, the former being sadly familiar to the Prince of Wales.

Alongside the death of his mother, William continues to be estranged from his younger brother.

Until this film, it is understood William has not uttered his brother’s name in a public speech or interview since 2018 when the two princes, alongside the Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle, were interviewed at the Royal Foundation Forum.

The documentary also reunites the brothers on screen, if only via an old photo of both boys visiting the shelter in 1993.

Filming also coincided with another personal trauma: the cancer diagnosis of his wife, the Princess of Wales.

Insiders acknowledge that filming took a little longer because of everything the Prince was ‘dealing with’, but added he was ‘very accommodating’ despite the challenges.

Cameras started rolling in June last year when the Prince launched his project Homewards, which focuses on ending homelessness in six UK areas: Aberdeen; Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole; Lambeth; Newport; Northern Ireland and Sheffield.

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Speaking in a new documentary, William recounts how Princess Diana took the brothers to a homeless shelter in London as children to show the realities of life outside the palace

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King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Prince Charles, Diana and William and Harry sit on the steps of Marivent Palace on August 10, 1987

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Diana and her sons Prince Harry and Prince William leave after attending the 1991 Royal Tournament, held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London

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Prince William is pictured offering help while at The Passage in Kensington Palace

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A look at William and Diana ahead of his documentary ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’

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The Prince of Wales behind the scenes filming a documentary for the Homewards Campaign

We see the Prince on public engagements and in interviews with the director, Leo Burley, but the palace are tight-lipped on precisely when the Prince sat down to talk.

What emerges is a Prince serious about making his mark.

‘I feel with my position and my platform, I should be delivering change,’ he says.

‘I feel compelled to act because I don’t want to just talk about it. I don’t want to just listen. I actually want to see someone smile because their life has been made better. So therefore building a project is the only way I can see at the moment to try and alleviate and help people who are in a much less fortunate or a very difficult situation.’

Such a statement could be interpreted as rhetoric against traditional royal ribbon-cutting and an indication he could become a rather radical King.

William is a modern man who prefers to watch box sets rather than reading, and it’s already been suggested he could be the first British monarch to break ties with the Church of England.

Others close to the current King point out that Charles was also a pioneering Prince with projects like the traditionalist Dorset village of Poundbury.

At other points in the film we catch glimpses of the person behind the prince. When meeting 21-year-old Lainey, a young girl experiencing homelessness who is training to work at Pret, he jokes: ‘Listen, if anyone can figure out how to work a cappuccino machine they’re amazing. Well done, honestly. Those machines, I look at them and I’m like: ‘you need a degree to work this. They’re crazy.’

After meeting William, she reflects: ‘Even though he’s like rich and people see him as some poshy…he didn’t judge…I just felt like he was one of my mates’.

Other stars of the show include the Sheffield-based community activist Safiya Saeed and advocate Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who was formerly homeless.

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Prince William and Harry at the opening of a fountain built in the memory of Diana in London’s Hyde Park

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Harry and William attend the unveiling of a statue of their mother at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace

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A look at William during filming for ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’ on ITV1 and ITVX

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Another look at Prince William as he offers his time at the Passage in Kensington

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The film, titled ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’, includes poignant unseen photos of William and Diana at the Passage in Westminster

Homewards aims to find successful charity models, zoning in on the Salvation Army in Cardiff who brought former rough sleeper Wayne into his own home.

In a powerful scene, Wayne is brought to Windsor Castle to meet with Prince William.

Wayne’s experiences are deeply moving, as is the knowledge that the meeting was filmed in the same location where the Princess of Wales filmed her cancer announcement in March.

The filmmakers also confront William about the criticism that his wealth and (numerous) homes make him an ill-suited poster boy for a homelessness project.

‘I think if I answered every critic I’d be here all day,’ he responds.

‘Criticism drives you forward. I think it’s right to question, but at the end of the day we are pushing forward to deliver change and hope and optimism into a place that frankly has had very little of it for a long time. I hope I can bring something that’s not been done before.’

It’s a response that might not satisfy his detractors, but it is clear that William cares deeply about the issue not in spite of his life and experiences, but because of them.

‘Many people can relate to trauma. Many people can relate to family breakup and loss,’ says Homewards advocate Ms Cohen-Hatton.

‘I think the prince’s ability to relate to people on that human level is because of some of the experiences that he’s had himself.’

The two-part documentary will air on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 October at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

David de Gea has emerged as a shock target for Inter Miami, with David Beckham reportedly looking to bring the former Manchester United goalkeeper to Major League Soccer.

De Gea has been without a club since the summer, when his deal at Old Trafford expired and has rejected a lucrative move to the Saudi league.

And now, Miami co-owner David Beckham is reportedly making his move, according to The Sun.

The publication says that a move to Florida ‘holds some appeal’ for the Spanish goalkeeper.

The potential arrival of De Gea to Miami would be another significant coup for the MLS team, who have already swooped for Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Ex-Man United goalkeeper David de Gea has emerged as a shock target for Inter Miami

it would be another coup for Miami after David Beckham brought Lionel Messi to the team

But Miami might have to shuffle their squad around to comply with MLS rules to bring De Gea in.

They have three Designated Player slots occupied by Messi, Busquets and Leonardo Campagna. A Designated Player in MLS is a player who is signed to the team outside of the salary cap.

Ex-Spain defender Alba, a former international teammate of De Gea’s, took a drastic pay cut to join Messi and Busquets in the US – signed as a TAM (‘Target Allecation Money’ player – on a deal worth around $1.7m-a-year.

There would be nothing stopping De Gea doing that too but given he reportedly snubbed a $500,000-a-week move to the Saudi league, it would seem unlikely that he’d follow Alba’s lead.

Miami won the Leagues Cup last season and was runner-up in the US Open Cup, but failed to reach the MLS playoffs.

Miami endured a disastrous first half of the season under Phil Neville, who was fired as coach and replaced by Tata Martino weeks before Messi’s move was completed.

And even with Messi spearheading the team, they were unable to reach the post-season tournament.

DAVID BECKHAM’S golden football boots worn in his 100th England game are to be sold for an estimated £10,000.

The Adidas 2008 Predators were used by Becks in a match against France on March 26, 2008.

1David Beckham’s golden boots are set to be sold for £10,000Credit: Getty

England were beaten 1-0 and Beckham even received a yellow card in the 39th minute.

The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Wayne Rooney all starred for the Three Lions on the night.

Meanwhile, Franck Ribery, Nicolas Anelka, William Gallas and Claude Makelele featured for France.

The boots were produced especially for Beckham and feature embroidered St George’s Crosses, along with the Manchester United icon’s profile on the left shoe.

The names of Beckham’s then-three children Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, are also embroidered on the design.

The pair are expected to be sold on December 5 as part of a wider sporting goods auction by Northamptonshire-based auctioneers Graham Budd Auctions.

With a starting bid of £4,600, David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia, estimates that the boots could go for as much as £8,000-10,000.

He said: “David Beckham is not only an iconic player, but you could also argue that he started the ‘style revolution’ with this type of golden boot.

“These boots are already attracting attention on a global stage and we wouldn’t be surprised if they reached or even went beyond their estimated price.”

The boots, or lot 924, will be sold as the first item up for grabs on December 5 at the auctioneers’ site in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, at 13:30.

After adding one of the greatest soccer players in history to his franchise, David Beckham made sure to savor the moment when Lionel Messi walked through Inter Miami’s doors for the very first time over the summer.

In fact, the Inter co-owner was so enthused by the thought of Messi entering the building that he arrived at training himself every day at 7am to watch him do exactly that in the initial weeks after his arrival.

‘Firstly, I wanted to be in before Leo to show him I was there and the commitment I have to the team and the club,’ Beckham said in an interview with The Times. ‘But it was also important for me to enjoy this moment after all the hard work.

 

David Beckham arrived at Inter Miami training at 7am every day after signing Lionel Messi

‘I wanted to see him come in, see him go about everything he does so professionally, setting an example to all the young kids here.

‘He is a superstar, but the most humble superstar. And I just love to watch him train.

Beckham lured Messi to Miami over the summer in one of the biggest MLS signings of all time

The Inter co-owner says he wanted to be in the building early every day to watch him ‘go about everything he does’

Beckham also described Messi as a ‘superstar, but the most humble superstar’ off the field

‘Anyone who has seen him live knows he’s different, special. People said he might need time to fit in. It took him seconds.’

Messi mania well and truly captivated US soccer when the Barcelona and Argentina legend rocked up back in July, with reports suggesting the demand for his Miami jerseys were so high that even Beckham himself was made to wait for one to gift to friends.

And the 36-year-old instantly justified the obvious hype, scoring 10 goals in his first seven appearances – including a stoppage-time winner on his debut – to help secure Miami’s first ever piece of silverware in the Leagues Cup.

He was absent for their US Open Cup final defeat by Houston Dynamo, and his first season came to a premature end when Tata Martino’s men failed to reach the MLS playoffs, but Beckham is still pinching himself at the fact Messi is simply an Inter player.

‘I promised the fans and people of Miami that I wanted to bring some of the best players in the world,’ the former Man United and Real Madrid star, who recently presented Messi with his eighth Balon d’Or award, added. ‘I am sure every owner says that but, from day one, he was the dream player I wanted to bring to Miami.

‘I see him in our kit, I watch him train and play, and I can’t believe that we have Lionel Messi in our club.’

Beckham also spoke of his pride at personally deciding that Miami would play in pink – despite being warned against it.

He is still pinching himself at the fact Messi now works his magic in Miami’s famous pink strip

Beckham also personally presented Messi with his eighth Ballon d’Or award last month

With Messi now on the team, the jersey has become one of the most in-demand across the globe.

But years ago, when Beckham was planning for what he wanted Inter Miami to be  – and the idea of Messi in Major League Soccer was a wild dream – he decided that his club would play in pink.

He said: ‘Drive around Miami and it’s a very recurring color. At the time a lot of people were saying “don’t go for pink”.

‘I was the one who said it has to be the main color. So that was me. I’m actually very proud of it. I am glad I held my nerve and pushed it through.’

Soccer legend David Beckham is just like Us — listening to Mariah Carey’s holiday hits as soon as December rolls around.

“@davidbeckham giving us his best @mariahcarey 🎶 🎄😂,” Victoria Beckham, who married the 47-year-old athlete in 1999, captioned a Thursday, December 1, Instagram video. In the clip, David sat at the kitchen counter as he drank a cup of coffee and scrolled on his smartphone. While the England native multitasked, Victoria, 48, caught him singing along to Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

The New York native, 52, was equally impressed by David’s vocal chops. “My new fave rendition 😂 love you guys! ❤️🎄❤️🎄,” she wrote via Instagram comment. Carey also shared the footage via her Instagram Story, adding a “love this” caption.

The Christmas Princess scribe was not the Beckhams’ only famous friend who was pleasantly surprised by David’s singing voice.

“What can’t he do?” fashion maven Derek Blasberg replied, while Kelly Rowland added: “SINGGGGGGG DAVID!!!!!!”

Carey’s name has long been synonymous with the festive holiday ever since the October 1994 release of her single “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

“I know a lot of the time people are like, ‘Oh, yay! Look at her! She’s, like, so festive and such a Christmas girl,’ or whatever. But, really, Christmas makes me happy. People think I had this princess-style life or whatever, a kind of fairy-tale existence where I just emerged, like, ‘Here I am!’ And that is not what it is,” Carey told W magazine last month on how she came to love the merry occasion.

She continued at the time: “But when you grow up with a messed-up life and then you’re able to have this transformation where you can make your life what you want it to be? That is joy for me. That’s why I want my kids [twins Morrocan and Monroe, who I share with ex-husband Nick Cannon] to have everything they can have. I want them to be able to understand that they can be anything they want to be.”

David and the former Spice Girls singer — who share four children — are equally fond of the festive season.

“[Our celebrations are] like every other person’s Christmas — it will be very normal,” the Save Our Squad with David Beckham personality previously opened up about their holiday plans during a December 2015 appearance on BBC Breakfast. “We open presents, we enjoy ourselves, we have a traditional Christmas dinner. So we’re exactly the same. … We always spend Christmas in London because it’s home and all our family are here, so we’re very traditional.”

David and Victoria frequently share their merry traditions via social media as they dote over sons Brooklyn, 23, Romeo, 20, and Cruz, 17, and daughter Harper, 11.

“Merry Christmas everybody! Sending lots of love from us all x family time is so precious,” the fashion designer wrote via Instagram in December 2020, sharing a snap of her brood wearing matching silk pajamas.

‘I wanted to see him come in, see him go about everything he does so professionally, setting an example to all the young kids here.

‘He is a superstar, but the most humble superstar. And I just love to watch him train.

David Beckham arrived at Inter Miami training at 7am every day after signing Lionel Messi

Beckham lured Messi to Miami over the summer in one of the biggest MLS signings of all time

The Inter co-owner says he wanted to be in the building early every day to watch him ‘go about everything he does’

Beckham also described Messi as a ‘superstar, but the most humble superstar’ off the field

‘Anyone who has seen him live knows he’s different, special. People said he might need time to fit in. It took him seconds.’

Messi mania well and truly captivated US soccer when the Barcelona and Argentina legend rocked up back in July, with reports suggesting the demand for his Miami jerseys were so high that even Beckham himself was made to wait for one to gift to friends.

And the 36-year-old instantly justified the obvious hype, scoring 10 goals in his first seven appearances – including a stoppage-time winner on his debut – to help secure Miami’s first ever piece of silverware in the Leagues Cup.

He was absent for their US Open Cup final defeat by Houston Dynamo, and his first season came to a premature end when Tata Martino’s men failed to reach the MLS playoffs, but Beckham is still pinching himself at the fact Messi is simply an Inter player.

‘I promised the fans and people of Miami that I wanted to bring some of the best players in the world,’ the former Man United and Real Madrid star, who recently presented Messi with his eighth Balon d’Or award, added. ‘I am sure every owner says that but, from day one, he was the dream player I wanted to bring to Miami.

‘I see him in our kit, I watch him train and play, and I can’t believe that we have Lionel Messi in our club.’

Beckham also spoke of his pride at personally deciding that Miami would play in pink – despite being warned against it.

He is still pinching himself at the fact Messi now works his magic in Miami’s famous pink strip

Beckham also personally presented Messi with his eighth Ballon d’Or award last month

With Messi now on the team, the jersey has become one of the most in-demand across the globe.

But years ago, when Beckham was planning for what he wanted Inter Miami to be  – and the idea of Messi in Major League Soccer was a wild dream – he decided that his club would play in pink.

He said: ‘Drive around Miami and it’s a very recurring color. At the time a lot of people were saying “don’t go for pink”.

‘I was the one who said it has to be the main color. So that was me. I’m actually very proud of it. I am glad I held my nerve and pushed it through.’

The Inter Miami FC co-owner officially welcomed the Argentine legend to his team in July this year

David Beckham hugs Lionel Messi. PHOTO:

TIM NWACHUKWU/GETTY IMAGES

David Beckham, 48, managed to bring one of the biggest international athletes stateside, and the magnitude of that feat is hardly lost on him.

In July, the former soccer player and co-owner of Inter Miami FC officially welcomed Lionel Messi, 36, to the South Florida-based soccer club, and he’s been on cloud nine since. Of course, getting a player of Messi’s caliber to sign didn’t come easy, as the Argentine soccer legend was in high demand.

“We always knew there would be competition,” Beckham told The Times of London. “The time I got a bit worried was when Barcelona showed interest. The club obviously pulls on his heartstrings and he never really got to say the goodbye he deserved there,” he said of Messi, who played for Barça for 17 seasons.

‘Emotional’ David Beckham Welcomes Lionel Messi to His Inter Miami FC Team: ‘Truly a Dream’

However, the stiff competition didn’t dissuade Beckham, who managed to snag the soccer superstar for just over $20.4 million, per CBS News. “It still gives me goosebumps,” he told The Times of London of the moment he found out Messi would be coming to Inter Miami.

David Beckham with Lionel Messi.

Though soccer (known elsewhere as football) is massively popular globally, it’s only recently rose to prominence in the U.S. Beckham and Thierry Henry are some of the noted international players who have signed to Major League Soccer teams in an effort to bring more visibility to U.S.-based teams. So, onboarding a player as prolific as Messi was also a strategic move for the Inter Miami owner.

“I said, ‘How many elite athletes have had the opportunity to change a sport in a country?’ It is transformational for the sport in the United States,” Beckham told The Times of his initial pitch. “This is just the beginning. His presence, medium to long-term, will prove that this league belongs among the world’s best leagues over time.”

This is hardly the first time Beckham has been open about his reverence for Messi.

David Beckham Praises Lionel Messi in Trailer for New Messi Meets America Docuseries — Watch!

In July, when the superstar officially joined the Inter Miami team, Beckham introduced Messi to a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — and called Messi’s arrival a “dream come true.”

Lionel Messi with Inter Miami FC owners.

“Ten years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team,” Beckham said, per ESPN. “I said then, I dreamt of bringing the best players in the world to South Florida and to the great city of Miami. Players who shared our ambition to grow soccer in this country … We are so happy that you are all here to celebrate this incredible moment.”

He continued, “So please forgive me for feeling a little bit emotional tonight. It truly is a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami … Bienvenido a La Familia.”

Beckham was also seen singing the soccer player’s praises in the trailer for Messi Meets America — an Apple TV+ docu-series that gives an “inside look” at the latest chapter of Messi’s life and career. “This is one of the greatest players in the world,” Beckhman states.

David Beckham has been spotted strolling around his new $77million mega-mansion in Miami just days after purchasing the exclusive waterfront enclave.

The football legend was all smiles as he inspected the impressive nine-bedroom property in Miami Beach, Florida, which he acquired with his wife Victoria.

The 49-year-old was seen greeting friends atop a glamorous white balcony on Sunday and was unable to contain his excitement over the extravagant purchase.

He stopped to take in the views of the surrounding neighbourhood before heading back inside the house, which also boasts 13 bathrooms, an outdoor kitchen, a rooftop lounge and 124ft of frontage on Biscayne Bay.

Beckham was seen earlier in the day driving into the gated property in his McLaren 750S which sells new for at least $311,000 (£240,000).

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David Beckham has been spotted strolling around his new $77million mega-mansion in Miami just days after purchasing the exclusive waterfront enclave

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The football legend was all smiles as he inspected the impressive nine-bedroom property in Miami Beach, Florida

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The 49-year-old was seen greeting friends atop a glamorous white balcony on Sunday and was unable to contain his excitement over the extravagant purchase

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David Beckham is seen with a huge grin on his face as he inspects his new mansion

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Beckham was visibly excited as he toured the newly-purchased mansion in Miami Beach

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Beckham was seen speaking to a group of men on the balcony as he visited the mansion on Sunday

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He stopped to take in the views of the surrounding neighbourhood

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He then made his way back down the stairs of the balcony into the house

Beckham wore a pink Inter Miami hat, white T-shirt, black trousers and pink Adidas ‘Originals x Lionel Messi Samba’ trainers – named after the Miami player.

Pop star Shakira and Bee Gee Barry Gibb will be among the Beckhams’ neighbors at the home, where they also have a waterfront deck and mooring for a yacht.

Earlier this month a local property source claimed that the Beckhams’ offer on the property had been accepted, and they plan to move in early next year.

The Beckhams have had a base in Florida for years, and also spent about £18million on a full-floor five-bedroom penthouse in downtown Miami in 2020.

The couple already have a property portfolio which includes a £31million townhouse in London’s Holland Park and a £12million Cotswolds country pile.

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David Beckham smiles as he arrives to view his newly purchased $77million Miami mansion

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The Miami property includes a chef’s kitchen, private cinema, gym, spa and swimming pool

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Beckham is photographed smiling for the cameras after driving into the gated property

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Beckham arrives at the home in his McLaren 750S which sells new for upwards of $311,000

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The football legend has splashed out with his wife Victoria on the nine-bedroom property

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Beckham is spotted arriving to inspect his newly-purchased home in a McLaren supercar

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Beckham appears relaxed as he walks into the home with 124ft of frontage on Biscayne Bay

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Pop star Shakira and Bee Gee Barry Gibb will be among the Beckhams’ neighbors at the home

Victoria and David Beckham celebrate Easter in Miami with family

Long-time celebrity columnist Jose Lambiet told the Mail earlier this month: ‘I don’t think people necessarily remember that David Beckham was a football player.

‘They now think of him as a society guy, and the ownership of the soccer team has made him a stalwart in South Florida.

‘Miami is a place where he and Victoria can be comfortable because people are used to famous faces here – there are hundreds of celebrities.’

It is understood that the whole Beckham family had already been to see the property before the latest visit by Beckham, with a source saying that ‘everyone loves it’.

They added: ‘Although it’s David who has the work connection in Miami, the impression from the estate agents is that Victoria has been pushing for the move.

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Beckham wears Adidas ‘Originals x Lionel Messi Samba’ trainers, named after the Miami player

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Beckham is pictured wearing a pink Inter Miami hat, white T-shirt and black trousers

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Beckham drives his McLaren 750S into the Miami property which has sold for $78 million

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The Beckhams have had a base in Florida for years, but have now bought the new mansion

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Beckham arrives at the home in his McLaren 750S

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A local property source claimed that the Beckhams’ offer on the property has been accepted

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The new house adds to the Beckhams’ property portfolio which also features homes in the UK

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An aerial view of the Beckhams’ new £60million mega-mansion overlooking Biscayne Bay

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Aerial images of the Beckhams’ new property in Miami offer a glimpse of the stunning views

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The Beckhams spent $23million on a penthouse in this building in downtown Miami in 2020

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The Beckhams already have a £31million townhouse in exclusive Holland Park in West London

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David and Victoria Beckham also have a £12million Cotswolds country pile in their portfolio

Victoria Beckham celebrates Miami team’s big win on the pitch

‘What we hear is she wants to have a sort of salon there where she can gather interesting famous and wealthy people. It’s going to be a social scene but the idea is she can turbo-charge her fashion and make-up brands by juicing those links.

‘It seems she wants to be the Queen of Miami and to lean into all the celebrity links which come from the football club.’

Former England captain Beckham exercised an option in his contract with his former Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy to buy an expansion franchise in 2014.

He launched the team in Miami in 2018, before confirming it would be called Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, or Inter Miami CF. It made its MLS debut in 2020.

The former Manchester United midfielder finished his playing career in 2013 with 718 appearances, 127 goals and 214 assists. He played 115 times for England.