David Beckham takes cheeky dig at Gonzalo Higuain saying relationship would be better if Inter Miami striker scored more
DAVID BECKHAM heaped praise on Inter Miami star Gonzalo Higuain while poking fun at the striker.
The Miami owner held a press conference to preview the upcoming MLS season ahead of the opening game of the season against Chicago Fire on Saturday.
And Beckham believes Higuain, who scored 12 goals last season, can be a big influence this season.
Beckham said: "Gonzalo is a great player, he's a great professional and I think especially last year he performed.
"He has to live up to those expectations of being the figurehead of this team. He is a leader but his actions on the field also give the other players and the young players an opportunity to perform at a higher level. He has that power.
"He's always scored goals wherever he's played but he's an important part of this club because his actions set the tone of our games. If Gonzalo plays well and works hard then everybody works hard."
Becks cheekily added: "My relationship with him has always been good. My relationship with him will be even better if he scores more goals."
Becks will be hoping Higuain has a greater impact this season with Miami struggling for large spells last season.
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Pressure is growing on manager Phil Neville to start delivering results with Miami missing out on the play-offs last season, while enduring a six-match losing streak at one point.
Beckham was believed to have been frustrated by the underwhelming season last time round and accepts he needs to be more patient for on-pitch success.
He added: "Yes I have had to learn to have a little bit more patience, which my wife will tell you I don't really have that much of.
"But as an owner, and someone that has high expectations, you have to have a little bit.
"I've needed it over the last eight years to bring this club into this great city and into this league. And in the last two years, I have had to learn to have even more.
"Everybody knows the expectations and pressures that we have. Yes, the last couple of years haven't lived up to exactly what we wanted. But I think when we step back and look at the last eight years, I'm very proud of what we've achieved."
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