28 September 2023 , 09:02
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Zinedine Zidane enjoyed a reunion with David Beckham after a wasted trip to Miami to see Lionel Messi.
The former Real Madrid maestro caught up with his fellow former Galactico, before watching Inter Miami lose to Houston Dynamo. Zidane had made the trip to Fort Lauderdale to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar in the US Open Cup Final, only for Messi to miss out due to injury. Miami slumped to an agonising 2-1 loss after captain Messi failed to even make the bench as his fitness woes continue.
Still, it would prove to be a memorable night for 'Zizou' regardless and the Frenchman looked delighted to have reunited with Beckham, co-owner of the club, at DRV PNK Stadium.
The pair, who played together at Santiago Bernabeu between 2003 and 2006, shared a handshake and conversed before kick-off on the field before again reuniting in the dressing room post-game, where the duo posed for photos arm-in-arm with Messi. Footage also showed the former Real Madrid head coach deep in conversation with the Herons' co-owner Jorge Mas.
Zidane is not the first sporting icon who has been to see Inter Miami in action since the seven-time Ballon d'Or victor's move stateside. In previous months stars including LeBron James, Serena Williams and Magic Johnson have all made the trip to see Messi in action for the MLS side.
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Zinedine Zidane went all the way to Miami to watch Lionel Messi but would be left disappointed (Twitter / X)Although 'Zizou' was unable to catch a glimpse of the superstar on his trip to DRV PNK Stadium, he will sympathise with Gerardo Martino's decision to leave his captain out.
Explaining Messi's absence on the night, Miami boss Martino told ESPN: "It was clearly not prudent for him to play, not even for a few minutes. We couldn't take the risk.
"But he will surely play again before the end of the season. His participation will be determined game by game based on the medical team's feedback."
The Vice City talisman had missed three out of his team's last four MLS matches after returning from international duty with muscle fatigue. He also had to be withdrawn from the action in Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto after just 37 minutes due to the recurrence of the issue.