- David Beckham returns to Los Angeles with Inter Miami as MLS owner
- With two thriving teams, the city's soccer scene is healthier than when he arrived
- DailyMail.com brings you all the latest international sports news
As David Beckham sat down on Sunday to watch his star-studded Inter Miami team take on the LA Galaxy, the legacy of his first spell in American soccer probably hit home. .
It's been almost 17 years since the former England captain traded for Real Madrid's Galacticos and became the face of American soccer in Hollywood.
When Beckham signed with LA Galaxy in 2007, he had a clause written into his contract that would allow him to own an MLS franchise in the future.
This was a shrewd business move for the time, allowing him to one day buy his own American soccer for just $25 million.
So when he returned to Los Angeles last week with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and his Miami teammates, he was likely pleased to see his influence still going strong.
LA Galaxy have not been as strong on the pitch in recent years, but passion remains high due to a rivalry that has flared up in recent years.
In a market once dominated by the LA Galaxy and its high-profile players, LAFC's arrival in 2014 definitely caught the attention of the city's residents.
Hollywood star Will Ferrell and NBA legend Magic Johnson are part of LAFC's huge ownership group, which made an instant impact on MLS.
The purpose-built BMO Stadium also serves as the home venue for the NWSL's Angel City FC, can seat 22,000 people, and regularly attracts celebrities to its games.
Boosted by Carlos Vela's goal, they won the 2022 MLS Cup and reached last season's final, but lost to Columbus Crew. LAFC is expected to be in contention again this season.
Their success seems to have ignited a sense of tribalism in the city, and their matches, known as “El Traffico'', are always the center of attention.
A staggering 82,110 fans packed into the Rose Bowl for the two sides' meeting last July. A new MLS single-game attendance record – to watch LA Galaxy's 2-1 victory.
As for LA Galaxy, they have struggled in recent years since winning the MLS Cup in 2014 with Robbie Keane up front, failing to make it past the top eight of the play-offs.
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard have come and gone. They have former Manchester United star Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez up front and could also call up impressive former Barcelona playmaker Riqui Puig.
Their performance against Inter Miami on the opening weekend of the season will definitely give them hope.
Dejan Jovegic's goal gave them the lead, but late displays from Messi and Jordi Alba prevented Los Angeles Galaxy from gaining all three points.
They are expected to make the playoffs this season, but unlike their relatively new neighbors, they are unlikely to compete for the title.
What is certain is that football is definitely in better shape than when Beckham arrived, both in Los Angeles and in America.
His move from Real Madrid to California in 2007 shocked world football due to the overwhelming caliber of players in the competition and the significantly lower standard of facilities.
The former England captain's initial struggles adjusting to life in MLS were revealed in a recent hit Netflix documentary about his career.
He recalled watching one game from the reserve bench, looking at the skill level of the players and wondering if he had made the right decision to move to America.
When I finally got on the pitch, I was pushed into the American football lines that were still painted on the grass. At one point, it was unclear whether the ball was out of play or not.
Before leaving in 2012, Beckham played 115 MLS games with the Galaxy, scoring 18 goals and winning two MLS Championships.
Fast forward to today and he is now part owner of Inter Miami. Last season, he pulled off the signing of Messi and the team won their first-ever trophy, the League's Cup.
Inter Miami's acquisition of Messi is even more remarkable considering he is still officially the best player in the world and recently won his eighth Ballon d'Or.
Footage of Beckham refusing to celebrate Messi's dramatic equalizer went viral on Sunday night.
Beckham watched from his suite with his sons Brooklyn, 24, and Cruise, 19, as well as Hollywood stars Liv Tyler and Edward Norton.
When Messi headed home from Alba, Beckham's box exploded and everyone around the Miami co-owner stood to congratulate each other.
But Beckham remained seated with a straight face, not wanting to disrespect his first home in America.
He may have hidden his joy when Messi scored, but when Beckham leaves Los Angeles to return to Miami, he's ecstatic to know he's played a key role in the city's thriving soccer scene. It must have happened.