Lionel Messi Shines as David Beckham Inaugurates Groundbreaking $1 Billion Stadium

Lionel Messi reached another significant milestone in his illustrious career on Saturday night by scoring Inter Miami’s inaugural goal at their newly unveiled Nu Stadium.

This landmark moment occurred in the 10th minute during a match against Austin FC, just shortly after the visitors had nearly dampened the stadium’s grand debut.

Austin FC’s Guilherme Biro made history by netting the first-ever goal in the stadium with a header in the sixth minute, much to the dismay of the local fans.

However, Messi swiftly responded by connecting with an Ian Fray cross, expertly heading the ball to equalize the score and electrify the Inter Miami supporters.

This goal marked Messi’s fifth in the MLS season over just six appearances, showcasing his continued dominance since the start of the 2026 campaign.

Before kickoff, the atmosphere was electric as David Beckham addressed the fans alongside co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas to celebrate the stadium’s opening.

Inter Miami officially opened the doors to their brand new stadium on Friday evening

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham delivered a passionate speech just before kick-off

Lionel Messi made history after scoring Inter Miami’s first goal at the stadium 

Beckham praised the Argentine icon, calling him the ‘best player in the history of the game’ while thanking him for his impact on Inter Miami.

The stadium itself features a permanent tribute to the star, with a section on the east side officially dedicated as the ‘Leo Messi Stand.’

‘We believed in Miami,’ Beckham said. ‘And Miami believed in us.’

The game eventually ended 2-2 after Austin’s Jayden Nelson restored the visitors’ advantage, before Luis Suarez restored parity in the game with nine minutes left.

It marked the first time that Inter Miami played a game in its namesake city, having previously spent more than six years calling Fort Lauderdale home.

The stadium itself is reported to have cost around $350 million, however the entire Miami Freedom Park campus will cost approximately $1 billion to construct.

The complex will feature the 26,700-seater stadium, a 5,000 space parking lot, a 750-room hotel, a retail village, 58 acres of public parks and community soccer fields.

According to the club, the new stadium has been entirely privately funded and required no city money to complete construction. However, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did allocate $8 million in public funding to complete a road around the stadium.

Beckham was joined by his Spice Girl wife Victoria, 51, and two of their children – Cruz and Romeo – as he opened his Inter Miami team’s new stadium.

Inter Miami CF managing owner Jorge Mas, left, and co-owner David Beckham, right, stand together during a ribbon cutting ceremony before Inter Miami’s first MLS soccer match in Nu Stadium against Austin FC , Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami fans wave a flag in Nu Stadium ahead of the team’s first MLS soccer match in their new stadium, against Austin FC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Fans wait in line to enter Nu Stadium, as signs of ongoing work are seen behind, ahead of the team’s first MLS soccer match in their new stadium, against Austin FC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Cruz, 21, took to Instagram with snaps as he toured the venue, after estranged brother Brooklyn was spotted taking a ‘tense’ phone call amid their ongoing family feud. 

He said he ‘couldn’t be more proud’ of his father as he took in the huge new state-of-the-art stadium before sitting in Lionel Messi’s pitchside seat.

Cruz penned: ‘Dad I really couldn’t be more proud of you, you have inspired me every day to be a better human and have consistently proved that as long as you work as hard as you can you can achieve your dreams.’

Before adding: ‘And today you have made history once again, Vamos Miami, see ya tonight’.

David shared a first look at Inter Miami’s new $750million (£566.5m) stadium on Friday ahead of its official unveiling.

The England legend announced the beginning of construction on the project, then called Miami Freedom Park, in 2023, three years on from the club’s founding. 

Beckham posted a picture to Instagram during Inter Miami’s first training session at the Nu Stadium, with the caption ‘Our new home (two pink heart emojis)’ adorning the video of the gleaming pink and white ground. 

The 50-year-old also shared a post with pictures of the ground – and himself testing out the turf – to his main grid, which was celebrated by a slew of well-wishers.