MIAMI • David Beckham wants to emulate Manchester United's tradition of youth development as he looks to build success with his new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami.
The English football superstar was celebrating on Monday after his four-year wait to own an MLS franchise - which has yet to have a name - came to an end in a glitzy press conference in Florida.
Good-luck messages were beamed to the new team's excited "Southern Legion" fan group from the likes of Neymar, Tom Brady, Usain Bolt and Hollywood A-lister Will Smith.
It was not long before player names were being thrown into the mix as he took questions.
"Cristiano Ronaldo? You'd have to ask him," Beckham said when asked if he would be making a move for the Portuguese superstar.
Naturally, a team in Miami needs a big name to push ticket sales and get the marketing men interested.
Yet Beckham knows about the importance of nurturing from within.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was part of the famous "Class of 92" who came through the ranks at United and helped take the club on an unforgettable, trophy-laden journey under Alex Ferguson.
Beckham, along with Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were the cream of United's crop and the new owner of the 25th MLS franchise wants to create something similar in Miami.
"I have already had so many calls from top players and of course you need to bring some superstars in," said Beckham, who stressed that close friend Gary Neville would not be considered for a managerial role because "he talks too much".
"There are so many names I would love to bring in," he added.
"We want to reach for the stars. Miami needs a star and that's what we plan on doing but my dream is to create a state-of-the-art academy where we have a hotbed of talent and bring kids through, just like we did at United.
"That will make us so proud. We were a unique group of kids who saved United so much money over the years. I understand the academies where you save money and bring talented kids through. If you can do that it would be incredible."
Beckham can rejoice now but his plan has changed many times in the four years since it was floated, most notably because he was unable to get waterfront land that his group wanted for a stadium site.
However, in June last year, Miami-Dade commissioners voted 9-4 in favour of ratifying a recommendation by the mayor to sell Beckham's partnership a county truck depot, the last piece in a 3.6ha site for a planned 25,000-seat stadium in Overtown.
Beckham's group paid just over US$9 million (S$11.7 million) for the last piece of land. It had already paid US$19 million for the other 2.4ha needed.
It also said the planned stadium would be privately funded, and the stadium would be subject to county property tax.
The plan has faced local opposition, including a legal challenge from businessman Bruce Matheson, and must still gain zoning approval, but Beckham insisted there is no doubt the Overtown site is the one his team will call home.
"I'm excited to bring this great team to this great city - it has been a hell of a journey," he said.
"I promise you the team we will bring into the league will be the best team."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
