Lionel Messi was spotted beaming at a man he’s gotten to know well in recent months as he mounted the steps to win his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or.

Few people in sports have had a better year than David Beckham. Not only did he pull off the trade of the decade for Major League Soccer, but he also helped Inter Miami win their first prize, the Leagues Cup.

Now he was on a stage in France, handing the Ballon d’Or to Messi, the first MLS player to get the renowned trophy.

David Beckham presented Lionel Messi with his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy on Monday

It’s the culmination of what has become a fast friendship since Messi moved to Inter Miami

It would be incorrect to suggest that Beckham planned for all of this to occur, but he has been planning for Messi’s arrival for years.

Since the Argentine expressed interest in Beckham’s Miami idea, the Englishman has worked hard to make it a reality. He pulled it off thanks to his charisma, and he now has a friendship with the greatest player to ever play the game.

Beckham raved over Messi after being the guy to present him with the gilded trophy.

‘It’s incredibly amazing to be a Miami player and to be in our city,’ Beckham remarked. ‘He’ll celebrate in his own way with his teammates and family.

‘We’ll do our best to commemorate it in true Miami fashion. I’m confident we can throw a good party.’

Messi attended the ceremony with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his three sons, Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro. The kids even joined Messi on stage.

This was the conclusion of years of conjecture that the World Cup winner would take his talents to South Beach.

When it was reported in 2018 that Beckham would open a franchise in Miami, Messi offered a congratulations message via social media video.

‘First and foremost, congrats,’ Messi said in a social media video in Spanish. ‘I wanted to wish you the best of luck in this endeavor and in your new career.

‘And who knows, maybe in a few years you’ll call me.’

Messi and his family have all begun settling into the city that they moved to in July

Beckham put on a charm offensive – not just to woo Messi, but to welcome him to a new home

He made the call. Beckham and Miami started poking and prodding the wantaway player, who was with PSG at the time, to join MLS.

‘There’s a lot of hard work that has to be done to get a guy like Leo into this league, and we were willing to do that,’ Beckham stated in the ‘Messi Meets America’ Apple TV documentary.

‘Because a player like Leo and the magnitude of bringing him and his family to Miami, there are many things that must be addressed before you ever consider having a conversation.’

Messi stated in the same documentary that Beckham was one of his key sources of contact for inquiries regarding the league that the Englishman ignited in 2007.

‘He guided me and told me a little bit about his experience, what it was like for him to come and play here when he made the decision,’ Messi added in Spanish (subtitles).

‘However, he also told me that things were no longer the same because the league had developed significantly since his arrival.’

Messi said that David Beckham offered him guidance and told him about life in the USA

Messi eventually agreed to join Inter Miami this summer after pondering a return to Barcelona or a move to Saudi Arabia.

‘I came with zeal,’ Messi explained. ‘My wife and I, as well as our children, have been having a great time, and we’ve been discussing what this could mean for us. And it was a good beginning.’

‘We took this decision to bring Leo to Miami not just for us, not just for our fans – but for the league, for the sport, and for America,’ Beckham explained. ‘But with that comes the eyes of the world.’

Messi hailed Beckham and his Inter Miami co-owners during his very dramatic made-for-TV address to the fans, saying, ‘They are making everything simple for us, everything has been wonderful since we arrived.’

The Beckhams made sure that Messi’s first match in Miami was an event no one should miss

Before the game, LeBron James gave Messi a hug to welcome him to Miami’s sporting legends

Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian were also both on hand to witness Messi

‘I am really glad to have selected this city with my family, to have chosen this project,’ Messi continued. ‘I have no doubt that we will have a terrific time.’

Beckham made certain of it. In addition to Messi’s dramatic arrival via ‘La Presentacion,’ the games he played in Miami became events in their own right.

The days of DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale trying to fill seats or attract visitors were long gone. With Messi in town, Beckham and the club made certain that celebrities were packed into the luxury boxes.

Many celebrities, including LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, and others, gathered to watch the Argentine striker come off the bench in the Leagues Cup versus Cruz Azul.

While everyone was present for the occasion, it was Messi who made it magical with a stunning free kick to win his debut match with the club.

That was the moment his stardom finally arrived, and Beckham made sure Messi got the benefits.