Lionel Messi scores but Inter Miami falls short against Al-Hilal in friendly
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami started their tour of Saudi Arabia on a sour note as they suffered a 4-3 defeat against Al-Hilal on Monday. Despite Messi’s presence, the Major League Soccer team fell short in Riyadh.
As part of their preseason preparations, Inter Miami is playing two games in the oil-rich kingdom. However, Messi’s remarkable skills were not enough to inspire his team to victory.
While Messi managed to get on the score sheet with a second-half penalty, it was Malcom who sealed the deal for Al-Hilal with an 88th-minute goal.
Interestingly, Al-Hilal had been strongly linked with a move for Messi when he left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent last year. However, the Argentine superstar ultimately chose to join David Beckham’s Miami-based team.
Following his arrival, Messi quickly led Inter Miami to their first trophy, the Leagues Cup. Now, both Messi and the team are hoping for more success in their first full season, with an extensive tour that includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Japan.
The most anticipated match of the tour is the potential showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nasser, scheduled for Thursday.
In Monday’s match, former Newcastle and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring for Al-Hilal in the 10th minute, followed by Abdullah Al-Hamdan doubling the lead just three minutes later. Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez pulled one back, but Michael restored Al-Hilal’s two-goal advantage in the 44th minute.
Messi’s moment came in the 54th minute when he found the back of the net from the penalty spot. Just a minute later, David Ruiz equalized for Inter Miami. However, when it seemed like the match would end in a draw, Malcom stepped up and secured the victory for Al-Hilal.
Despite the loss, Inter Miami and its star-studded lineup, including Messi and Suarez, remain focused on their upcoming season. The friendly against Al-Hilal served as an important test for the team, highlighting areas in need of improvement before the regular season kicks off.
As the preparations continue, the team and its fans are eagerly anticipating the clash with Al-Nasser, a game that promises to be a thrilling encounter between two footballing giants.
In the meantime, voting lines are now open for the Sportstar ACES Awards 2024, adding excitement to the sporting landscape.
Even though Inter Miami has started their tour on a disappointing note, there is plenty of anticipation and hope for the team’s future success. With Messi leading the way and the support of their enthusiastic fans, the team aims to make a strong impact in the upcoming season.
In the world of football, every match provides valuable lessons, and Inter Miami will surely analyze their performance and make the necessary adjustments to ensure they perform at their best when it truly matters.
As the tour continues, fans can expect more action-packed games and memorable moments as the team strives to reach new heights under Messi’s guidance.
The defeat against Al-Hilal is a reminder that success doesn’t come easy, but with determination and hard work, Inter Miami has the potential to achieve great things in the days ahead.
