Fraud footballer ‘does an Ali Dia’ and blags his way into David Beckham’s Inter Miami
A fraud footballer has "done an Ali Dia" and blagged his way into a training session for David Beckham's Inter Miami.
Footage of their stunt at the MLS club's base has invoked memories of Dia earning a one-month contract and substitute appearance at Southampton by pretending to be George Weah's cousin. TikTok users Greedy Guys uploaded a video captioned "I got amazingly far", showing their attempt to infiltrate a first team training session.
He can be seen in club clothing carrying a wash and gym bag into reception before approaching the desk as his "agent" asks: “Why did we come all the way from the Netherlands to here?”
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The player is then introduced as Melvin Platje and informs the receptionist that he has arrived for a trial, before being asked if the pair are being looked after.
In reality Platje is a veteran Dutch striker currently playing for AFC Amsterdam in the third tier in the Netherlands following previous spells in Sweden, Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Belgium and Indonesia.
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After passing through reception, the duo make their way outside and can be seen sitting next to the training pitches as the first team, managed by Phil Neville, begin their session.
A security guard then approaches them and explains: “The first team is training over there so if you’re training with the first team we need to go there.”
The man pretending to be Platje then introduces himself to one of the coaches at the training ground before the video ends. Fans have been amazed by the stunt, with one commenting: “Being confident is everything.”
Another added: “Bro accidentally started career mode.” Meanwhile, a third fan also wrote: “He finessed his way to a pro contract.”
It is not the first time a fraud footballer has managed to infiltrate a club's training ground, either, with Dia's infamous hoax making headlines back in 1996.
Then Southampton manager Graeme Souness agreed to take Dia on trial after receiving a phone call from someone purporting to be Ballon d'Or winner Weah, who told him Dia was his cousin.
Following a training session, Souness went on to hand Dia a substitute appearance in the Premier League after injuries hampered his squad, although he was hooked before the end of the match after a disastrous display.
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