How David Beckham’s Inter Miami could line up with dream star-studded starting XI including Cristiano Ronaldo
DAVID BECKHAM'S very own football club will take to the MLS for the first time in 2020.
The former England captain, 44, has sorted a name, a kit and crest and a derelict stadium 25 miles away from Miami airport as a two-year temporary home.
But one thing Becks is surely going to nail is the players.
In a career that spanned 21 years and five countries across which he won 11 major trophies and two MLS Cups, it's fair to say he has a decent contact list.
So who might Beckham call to join him on his American Dream for the ultimate All-Star XIs to trump all All-Star XIs?
Presumably not all at the same time, due to the MLS' salary cap...
JOE HART
The former England goalkeeper has won 75 international caps and two Premier Leagues - but Hart has been frozen out at Burnley and looks set to leave.
He has a year left on his contract at Turf Moor but the club would let him leave for free.
And with no Premier League side seemingly interested, the chance to resurrect his career abroad may be the best option.
ANTONIO VALENCIA
The Ecuadorian was released by Manchester United at the end of last season. But at 33, he will be confident he can still do a job Stateside, if he can stay fit, that is.
Valencia played just nine matches for United last season but is currently involved in the Copa America, trying to put himself in the shop window.
And as revealed by SunSport earlier this month, Beckham wants the full-back to join.
However, in the summer, Valencia signed for LDU Quito in his home nation, Ecuador - all-but ending that dream.
GERARD PIQUE
Pique has won it all with Barcelona and Spain but might be ready for a new challenge next year.
The high Colombian population in Miami will also be perfect for keeping Shakira happy.
He is the 6-5 favourite to be part of the first MLS side for Inter Miami with .
HECTOR MORENO
Certainly the least high-profile player in this XI... and no, this isn't Alberto's brother.
The experienced Mexican defender, 31, has racked up 96 caps for his country and enjoyed spells in Europe with AZ Alkmaar, Espanyol, PSV, Roma and now Real Sociedad.
But reports in recent days have suggested Moreno is in "advanced talks" with the new franchise.
SERGIO BUSQUETS
Barcelona's anchorman in midfield has been somewhat of a stalwart for the club for the past decade.
But the arrival of FrenkieDe Jong this summer could threaten his place in the side.
At 30, there is still plenty left in the tank for Busquets and he admitted the play-off format does appeal to him before jokingly confessing he could be tempted to join Inter Miami.
DANIELE DE ROSSI
De Rossi left Roma this year after 19 years at the club and a whopping 616 appearances - joining Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
Now 35, he would be happy to sit at the base of midfield, break up the play and enjoy living in Florida for a while.
You can get odds of 8-5 for this one - if he decides to leave Boca one day...
WAYNE ROONEY
Beckham. Rooney. Together. Again. It's what we all want to see, isn't it?
Only this time, Beckham will be delivering pay cheques rather than perfect crosses for his fellow Manchester United legend.
Already having played in America, Rooney has already swapped Washington for Derby - where he is set to take on a role as player-coach.
But should that end sooner than expected, a trip across the pond could be on the cards.
LIONEL MESSI
OK, bear with us. For a long time, it has been suggested Messi will finish his career back at Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.
So what's to say he won't have a stopover in Miami on the way back?
His current contract runs out in 2021 and reports have hinted Messi is - unsurprisingly - on Inter Miami's wishlist.
LUIS SUAREZ
Beckham has offered Suarez a four-year deal to move to Miami and become the face of the new franchise, according to a Catalan radio station.
The Uruguayan is expected to leave Barcelona in the next couple of years but is understood to have rejected the initial approach... for now.
With the large Hispanic community in Miami, the signing of Mexican hero Javier Hernandez would also be incredibly popular. Bet O'Clock are offering 6-1 for Suarez and 8-1 for Chicharito.
RADAMEL FALCAO
He may turn 34 before Inter Miami kick-off their first match but Falcao is still a striker to fear.
The Colombian is currently leading the line for his country and has managed 19 goals this season despite Monaco's struggles. He is 9-4 with Bet O'Clock to join Inter Miami.
His international team-mate James Rodriguez's future is still unclear after returning to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich so could be another option.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Here he is. The main man. Cristiano Ronaldo. A 10-1 outsider with Bet O'Clock. And, crucially, a close pal of Beckham's.
The incredible signing of Ronnie would surely bring plenty of on-field success - but also so much off it, too, with his commercial value.
After two years at Juventus, Ronaldo might want to wind things down a little bit and take his family to Miami.
THE MANAGER
All these stars are going to need a pretty good manager to get them playing together, someone who has got plenty of experience dealing with egos in the dressing room.
Jose Mourinho is currently out of work - could he be tempted by an offer from Becks?
ALSO LINKED...
If Beckham can't lure all of these players to Florida, there are plenty of others being linked with moves.
Other recognisable names that could be lining up in pink in the near future include Arjen Robben and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan recently ended his time at MLS club LA Galaxy but has been linked with a move back to Europe.