Inter Miami CF

Launched only in 2020, and co-founded by David Beckham—who has lived in Miami since 2007— Inter Miama has quickly become a symbol of football's "breakout moment" in the USA - blending Beckham’s global brand with Miami’s vibrant identity.

Their badge features two great white herons, native to South Florida, standing back-to-back with legs forming an “M” for Miami. Between them is an eclipse sun with seven rays—a nod to Beckham’s iconic number 7—while the pink-black-white colour scheme is uniqie in world football and makes their shirts stand out.

The name “Inter” (Internazionale) was also carefully chosen. It harks back to Inter Milan, who in their earliest days split from AC Milan over the belief that football should be open to international players. In a city like Miami, where more than 70% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and over half of residents were born abroad, the choice of “Inter” is a perfect reflection of Miami’s diverse and global identity.

Those pink herons then were not chosen just to be distintictive - but they and their design also reflect Miami's famourls Art Deco architecture. Particularly along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. From the 1920s to the ’40s, architects like Lawrence Murray Dixon and Henry Hohauser built sleek, symmetrical, pastel-coloured buildings with geometric lines, terraces, and neon highlights. They quickly came to symbolise the wealth and glamour of the USA. It became the city’s identity, driving tourism, preserving cultural heritage, and starring in countless contemporary fashions, films and video games. Nowhere else in the United States has such a concentrated, vibrant Art Deco district — it defines Miami’s streetscape as much as it does its attitude.

Miami’s nickname—“Vice City”—originated well before GTA picked it up. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the city became known for its underground drug trade, high-profile corruption cases, and a lawless edge that captured global headlines.

Messi’s arrival supercharged interest, leading to packed stadiums, rising TV ratings, and fresh interest in the MLS both domestically and abroad.

Beckham’s had long planned this club - when he signed for the MLS back in 2007. Say what you like about the lad, but he had the good sense to include a peculiar line in his contract when signing for LA Galaxy - he would forever retain the option to buy a franchise (new team) in the MLS for a mere $25m. That he did, and kids can be seen wearing Messi's inconic black and pink strip from Miama to Mumbai. Beckham's shrwed investment has paid for itself a thousand fold.

I have an admission to make - I totally underestimated how clever this badge is. The design and colour scheme are exceptionally well thought-out. This isn’t some generic design studio disaster cooked up by a kid with no understanding of the city. This is a testament to class and depth in the modern footballing world—a visual identity rooted in local nature, urban design, personal meaning, and community culture. It proves that even in an era of commercial rush-jobs, you can still create something that looks modern but is packed with historical meaning.

It’s Miami in football form. From its heron badge and eclipse sun to Art Deco roots and Vice City swagger, it’s a club that’s stylish, strategic—and unmistakably from the neon-lit city.

Very well done Sir Beckham.