Lionel Messi and Inter Miami started their tour of Saudi Arabia on a challenging note, losing 4-3 to Al-Hilal in a thrilling match. The Major League Soccer team had hoped for a victorious start to their preseason preparations, but Al-Hilal's strong performance dashed their hopes, despite Messi's presence on the field.
The Argentine superstar managed to leave his mark on the game, slotting home a penalty in the second half to get his name on the score sheet. However, it was Malcom's late goal in the 88th minute that sealed the victory for Al-Hilal, leaving Inter Miami disappointed.
Interestingly, Al-Hilal had been rumored as a potential destination for Messi after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, emerging as one of the frontrunners in the race to sign the free agent. Ultimately, Messi decided to join David Beckham's Miami project, leading the team to their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup.
Now, as the team gears up for their first full season with Messi in the squad, they have embarked on an extensive tour with stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Japan. The clash with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nasser on Thursday is eagerly anticipated by fans and soccer enthusiasts alike, as it promises to be a fascinating encounter between two footballing titans.
The match against Al-Hilal proved to be a testing encounter for Inter Miami, with former Newcastle and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic opening the scoring for the Saudi Arabian side in the 10th minute. Just three minutes later, Abdullah Al-Hamdan extended Al-Hilal's lead, putting the MLS team on the back foot early on.
However, Inter Miami didn't give up hope, and one of their own marquee signings, Luis Suarez, managed to pull one back for the team. Nonetheless, just before halftime, Al-Hilal's Michael found the back of the net, restoring their two-goal advantage.
The second half saw a spirited comeback from Inter Miami, with Messi converting a penalty in the 54th minute to bring his team within striking distance. The equalizer came just a minute later, courtesy of David Ruiz, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Unfortunately for Inter Miami and their fans, Malcom's late heroics for Al-Hilal denied them a draw and handed the Saudi Arabian side the victory. Despite the result, Inter Miami will take valuable lessons from the match as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season.
The tour presents an opportunity for Inter Miami to fine-tune their tactics, establish chemistry within the team, and adapt to different playing conditions. Playing against formidable opponents like Al-Hilal and potentially Al-Nasser will test their mettle and give them a chance to gauge their progress as a team.
As they head into the next leg of their tour, Inter Miami will strive to bounce back and showcase their true potential. With Messi, Suarez, and other talented players in their ranks, they will be eager to prove themselves on the global stage.
Ultimately, the tour of Saudi Arabia, along with their subsequent stops in Hong Kong and Japan, will serve as an important stepping stone for Inter Miami as they aim to make a mark in the upcoming MLS season.
