After his recent Inter Miami relocation, Lionel Messi’s friendship with David Beckham is in its early beginnings, but the English soccer star is already drinking mate tea.

The traditional South American drink, manufactured from the Yerba mate plant, is high in antioxidants, reduces body fat, and contains the same amount of caffeine as coffee.

It is also thought to relieve fatigue and improve muscle contractions, which is important for athletes like Messi, who is frequently spotted drinking it.

Beckham’s name can now be added to the list. He published a picture on Instagram sipping the drink with a bombilla – a metal straw it is normally drunk with – and wrote: ‘If it’s good enough for Leo’.

However, Messi appeared to disapprove of the brand Beckham was drinking.

He posted a photo of Beckham on his Instagram story with the caption, ‘I’m going to make you drink some good mate.’

Messi has been observed drinking it throughout his career, frequently coming at games with the gourd from which he is drinking.

Messi could do a lot worse than introduce it to his Miami teammates, given the health benefits.

The 36-year-old World Cup winner couldn’t have wished for a better start to life in Miami on the soccer pitch.

He had three goals in his first two League Cup games, with Miami defeating Cruz Azul 2-1 and Atlanta 4-0.

It came after Beckham presided over a spectacular opening ceremony to officially introduce Messi as a Miami player in front of 20,000 supporters at the team’s DRV PNK stadium.

‘Please excuse me for being a little emotional tonight. Welcoming Lionel Messi to Inter Miami is a dream come true.

‘Leo, we are overjoyed that you have picked our club to take the next step in your career. Welcome to the clan.

The team will compete in the competition’s last-32 round on Wednesday, August 2.