Before Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kicked off the 2019 Major League Soccer season on Wednesday night, Will Smith and David Beckham were seen hanging out.
The 55-year-old Oscar winner was seen chit-chatting with Miami president and co-owner Beckham prior to the team’s Florida kickoff matchup with Real Salt Lake.
Smith, who controversially slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, had a quiet two-year period in Hollywood before he embraced the soccer legend for a photo.
At halftime, as the Argentine star went back to the locker room, he also gave Messi an embrace.
Smith and Beckham have been friends for a long time, and the Englishman recently opened up about the lavish welcome party that Smith and Tom Cruise hosted for him in 2007 when he first arrived to Los Angeles.
‘Did you have friends in LA?’ director Fisher Stevens questioned the former England soccer captain during his critically acclaimed Netflix documentary BECKHAM.
“The funny thing was, I was friends with Tom Cruise,” David retorted. With a turn around, Tom said something like, “Me and Will are gonna throw you a party.” “Will?” I asked, and he responded, “Will Smith”.
Actor Jim Carrey, Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith, and Katie Holmes, Tom’s wife, were among the Hollywood celebrities who attended the celebration.
David Gardner, a close friend of David, recalled the celebration by saying: “It was like being in Madame Tussauds—there was a famous person everywhere you looked.”
In the following minute, he continued, “Stevie Wonder begins to play him a happy birthday on the piano.” ” he’s gone, we’ve lost him,” I exclaimed.
Tom cleared the dance floor to replicate the choreography from his 1983 film Risky Business during the celebration, which took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
The legendary player for Manchester United and England took a plane to Florida for the start of the season, and he was pleased with what he witnessed in his team’s 2-0 victory on Wednesday.
Messi was the player of the match, showcasing incredible footwork, seeing a free kick pushed off the line, hitting the bar straight from a corner, and setting up Robert Taylor’s opening goal.
Will Smith, one of the celebrities present at the newly renovated Chase Stadium, gave the 36-year-old a hug at halftime, and he played with an unstoppable swagger after that.
After a commanding first half, Miami faltered as a team, but they persevered and ultimately eliminated a much-improved RSL.
In the 83rd minute, Messi scored a goal by driving into the middle of the pitch with incredible strength, speed, and close control. Luis Suarez then assisted Diego Gomez in scoring the goal.
Tom Cruise (left) and Smith (right) threw Beckham a lavish party when he first moved to LA
Smith was in attendance to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kickoff the new MLS season
The former Liverpool striker saw his debut goal masterfully stopped by Zac MacMath, who was responsible for letting Taylor’s first-half shot slip past him, but that moment gave Miami new life.
The goalie for Salt Lake also denied Messi after an amazing run down the right, helping the hosts close out a difficult second half with a victory.
Actually, the only person who could keep up with the captain of Argentina on Wednesday was his personal bodyguard, who followed the star all over the touchline.