David Beckham reunites with Zinedine Zidane, his ex-Real Madrid teammate, at Inter Miami’s US Open Cup final – while NBA star James Harden cheers his Houston Dynamo team to victory

  • David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane once played together at Real Madrid 
  • They reunited in Florida for the US Open Cup final that Inter Miami lost
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham welcomed his former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane to DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night.

Beckham and Zidane played together for Spanish heavyweight Real Madrid in the early 2000s and were reunited in the United States for the US Open Cup final in Miami.

Unfortunately for Beckham, the reunion was soured by events on the field. Miami were beaten 2-1 after Lionel Messi was ruled out of the game completely due to a scar tissue problem.

Miami fell behind in the 24th minute through Griffin Dorsey’s superb finish and nine minutes later, Amine Bassi converted a penalty after a foul by DeAndre Yedlin. It made for a disappointing night for Beckham, who would have started the evening with a great sense of optimism after welcoming Zidane to Miami. 

But there was some joy in the Houston corner for NBA and Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden, a co-owner with the Dynamo who was also on hand to cheer his team to victory. 

Zinedine Zidane was in the Untied States to watch Inter Miami in the US Open Cup final

It meant he enjoyed a reunion with David Beckham, his former Real Madrid teammate

It meant he enjoyed a reunion with David Beckham, his former Real Madrid teammate 

Zidane and Beckham were seen sampling the atmosphere ahead of kickoff in Miami

Zidane and Beckham were seen sampling the atmosphere ahead of kickoff in Miami

Zidane and Beckham pictured back in 2003 during their Real Madrid playing days

Zidane and Beckham pictured back in 2003 during their Real Madrid playing days

NBA star James Harden was also in Miami as he cheered along for the Houston Dynamo

NBA star James Harden was also in Miami as he cheered along for the Houston Dynamo 

While Beckham has gone into team ownership with his Major League Soccer outfit, Zidane went into coaching.

At the helm of Real Madrid, he led the team to three straight Champions League titles from 2016-18 before leaving the team in 2021.

But Zidane appeared to be enjoying his time in Miami and was seen chatting away to Jorge Mas, one of the Miami co-owners alongside Beckham.

As for the Miami team, attention now turns to the battle to make the MLS post-season playoffs.

Miami is 14th of 15 in the Eastern Conference standings, five points away from the ninth and final playoff position that is currently occupied by New York City FC.

And that’s who Miami plays next, on Saturday night, with increasing concerns over Messi’s availability.