The Inter Miami project ought to be enough to get even the most dismissive MLS critics salivating. A franchise spear-headed by David Beckham, a long-term target list including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and a $1 billion stadium on the Miami waterfront. The club's hugely ambitious plans were first unveiled in March 2014 and almost six years on, it's almost time for them to come to fruition. Except, there's a problem. Strap yourselves in for a stadium saga that makes Tottenham's Daniel Levy look like one of the great property developers of our time. The new MLS season begins in March and to smooth things over, Inter Miami will be allowed to play their first two games away from home. 

Diego Alonso's side will then play their first home game on March 14 against LA Galaxy at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium. 

However, with just weeks to go, the ground is nowhere ready and is surrounded by diggers and cranes.

In short, it's still a construction site. Some of the recent photos, taken this month, can be seen below: 

The MLS's newest recruits are supposed to be playing there for two years while they wait for the Miami Freedom Stadium - their 73 acres new home comprising of a stadium, hotel, office park and commercial campus - to be finished. 

Beckham's ownership group have poured £50m into upgrading Fort Lauderdale, the 19,000-seater venue which was going unused. 

It was always going to be a stretch to get it in order within six months but February was given as the date when it would all be signed off. 

That's not the only difficulty Beckham has encountered, either. 

The Pete Winkleman of the MLS has hitherto struggled to attract the big names which he hopes will attract global acclaim. 

They tried to appoint Patrick Vieira or Carlo Ancelotti as head coach, before ultimately turning to Alonso and Tony Pulis' son. 

On the pitch, Luka Modric and Andres Iniesta are both being linked but it remains to be seen if the midfielders are ready to head stateside, especially with the former looking rejuvenated at Real Madrid this season. 

Starting a club from scratch is much more difficult than Beckham might have envisaged.