David Beckham has called for “respect and elegance” in victory after Minnesota United aimed cheeky digs at his Inter Miami side following a crushing 4-1 defeat.
The loss, suffered on Saturday night, marked Inter Miami’s heaviest defeat since Lionel Messi joined the club in July 2023. Despite a goal from Messi in the second half, Miami’s woes continued with a fourth defeat in five matches across all competitions.
But it wasn’t just the on-pitch performance that stirred headlines—it was what happened online after the final whistle that caught the attention of the footballing world.
Minnesota United, now sitting above Inter Miami in the MLS standings, took to Instagram to post a celebratory photo captioned “Pink Phony Club” — a play on Miami’s iconic pink kit and a nod to Chappell Roan’s hit “Pink Pony Club.” The post also included a screengrab of the updated league table showing Minnesota leapfrogging their opponents.
Beckham, 50, who is the co-owner of Inter Miami and a former England captain, wasn’t amused. He responded directly in the comments section, writing:
“Show a little respect, be elegant in triumph.”
The exchange didn’t end there. Minnesota escalated the banter by sharing a photo of a fan banner displayed during the match that read:
“History over hype, culture over cash,”
with the words “hype and cash” highlighted in pink, again poking fun at Inter Miami’s global star power and high-profile roster.
Beckham, clearly unimpressed, fired back once more:
“Respect over everything.”
The spat has sparked a wider debate in American soccer circles about the fine line between banter and disrespect. While some fans applauded Minnesota’s bold social media game, others felt the jabs lacked class, especially considering Inter Miami’s contributions to raising the global profile of MLS.
Since Beckham’s takeover and the arrival of Lionel Messi—alongside fellow Barcelona legends Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—Inter Miami have become one of the most watched and talked-about teams in the league. They clinched the Supporters’ Shield last season for the best regular-season record but faltered in the playoffs’ opening round.
The team is currently managed by former Argentina captain Javier Mascherano, appointed in November. Under his guidance, Miami reached the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup but now appear to be struggling for consistency.
Minnesota, managed by Welshman Eric Ramsay, have quietly climbed the table and are emerging as one of the season’s surprise packages. The team’s gritty performances and no-nonsense approach have won over neutrals—though their recent social media antics may divide opinion.
While Beckham has always championed sportsmanship and brand-building in equal measure, his pointed online remarks reflect growing frustration with his club’s form and the perception that Inter Miami are seen more for their star names than their football.
The clash also highlights MLS’s evolving culture, where marketing flair, social media engagement, and on-field success collide in new and sometimes awkward ways.
As the season progresses, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Inter Miami—not only to see whether Messi and co. can regain their spark but also whether Beckham’s calls for “respect” will resonate around the league.
For now, the scoreboard and the comment section both show Minnesota United winning. Whether the tone of their victory will cost them goodwill in the long term, only time will tell.
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