David Beckham's Inter Miami helped Lionel Messi rediscover his love for football

Lionel Messi's friend and new teammate Jordi Alba believes the Barcelona legend feels loved and supported at David Beckham's Inter Miami following his PSG departure.

Messi has started his career in the US in sparkling form. In just three appearances, the Argentinian forward has scored five goals.

Despite such a short time in Miami, the 36-year-old has already been handed the captain's armband in the last two victories in the Leagues Cup against Atlanta United and Orlando City. Positivity has also grown among the Herons' supporters who were suffering a dreadful campaign before Messi's arrival.

While Beckham's co-owned club have yet to move off the bottom of the Eastern Conference due to the MLS taking a break, there is no doubting a feel-good factor has returned to the Florida club. But according to Alba, who has just linked back up with Messi having previously played together at Camp Nou, the positivity flows both ways between the World Cup winner and Miami.

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He told reporters: "Messi feels supported, loved and that's the most important thing. At PSG he didn't have a good time, but he recovered his joy. I repeat, it's a challenge that personally excites him a lot and I see him very happy."

If anyone thought Messi was in the US to ease into retirement, Alba made sure to dampen this speculation by adding: "Leo is a demanding person. He has won a World Cup. But he is going to continue [playing] the same. He is going to fight for this challenge, try to win everything and that's why we're here to help him."

Inter are next in action on Sunday when they face FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup round of 16.