David Beckham praised for Inter Miami leadership during coronavirus crisis

Winger Morgan says co-owner 'has been great throughout' the pandemic shutdown

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and wife Victoria before the club's first MLS game against Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium in March. AFP

Inter Miami midfielder Lewis Morgan passes the ball. Reuters

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela scores a superb chip against Inter Miami. Reuters

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) celebrates his goal. Reuters

Inter Miami midfielder Rodolfo Pizzaro in possession. Reuters

Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC attempts a header. AFP

Juan Agudelo of Inter Miami on the attack. AFP

Inter Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles prepares for a shot. Reuters

David Beckham, right, and chef Gordon Ramsay talk before the game. Reuters

Inter Miami forward Robbie Robinson. Reuters

Inter Miami winger Lewis Morgan has hailed David Beckham's leadership during the coronavirus crisis.

Owner Beckham has seen his dream halted after Miami's debut season in Major League Soccer was stopped after just two games.

Last month, Miami altered the club's logo and separated their white herons, which are normally interlocked, to encourage social distancing.

And Morgan, who wears the No 7 shirt for Miami, believes former England captain Beckham is the perfect man to have in charge.

"He is very active, we see him around and he was the one who broke the news to us the league was going to be suspended," the Scotland international said.

"He's not a backseat owner, he wants to be involved and it has been his vision for so long and he wants to play a part in it.

"You don't get to where he is at without being able to control your emotions, he has waited so long to make this a reality so what's a little more time to make sure everyone is safe before they go back to work.

"We all want to be playing football but we have to abide by the rules and he has been great throughout.

"I remember him playing for [Real] Madrid, [AC] Milan, PSG and LA. I was very young when he was at Manchester United but he has such an iconic figure.

"It's quite surreal to be part of the same club as him but I'm here to be successful in my own right. All the owners are hands on and it's a special place."

Morgan was in Miami for just a number of weeks after his £400,000 (Dh1.8 million] move from Celtic – impressing in their opening two games – before MLS was stopped until May 10 at the earliest.

He is now self-isolating with girlfriend Heather and trying to do what he can to help.

Last month, Morgan joined team-mates Rodolfo Pizarro, Julian Carranza and Lee Nguyen to play in a Fifa tournament as part of Twitch's Stream Aid 2020.

It was to raise funds for the World Health Organization's Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund and Inter's event helped contribute to an overall total of £2.25million.

MLS stars are yet to join together and mirror those in the Premier League, who launched #PlayersTogether to raise funds for the NHS – partnering with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) – on Wednesday.

They had been criticised by health secretary Matt Hancock for not taking pay cuts but Morgan, who played 31 times for Celtic and won the League Cup in December, believes any coordinated effort must be right.

"Players have shown a great desire to help out, everyone is in different situations and it is important everyone helps – but also the help goes to the right places," said the 23-year-old.

"Here the league is constantly talking to players and the players' association to make sure everyone is doing what they can.

"We've not got to the point where we're talking about as much as they have done back home but it's great to see players playing their part.

"It's tough to expect everyone to take whatever [criticism] gets thrown at them and accept it. People are in different situations –they might be helping others out, like family, and you have to tread lightly about it.

"It's not nice to see it happen back home. It's tough to put a blanket over everyone. It's important everyone works together to find a solution."