Stars from Europe, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Renan Lodi, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Malcom, were among Al Hilal’s starting lineup for their friendly match against Inter Miami. Neymar was out because of an injury. Due to his travels in Brazil, he was unable to watch this match live.
The Inter Miami team entered the game with a formidable lineup that included Lionel Messi and striker Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets in the midfield, and Jordi Alba in defense.
Messi participates in a cordial encounter with Al Hilal (Image: Getty).
Al Hilal got off to a confident start with home advantage. The home team’s two goals against Inter Miami came in just 13 minutes, with to goals from Abdullah Al-Hamddan and Mitrovic in the first half.
Suarez, a player from Uruguay, gave his new squad their first goal, rewarding the away team’s efforts. Messi’s goal to the home team’s net in the first half appeared to have tied the score for Inter Miami. Regretfully, because of offside, the referee failed to recognize the goal. Michael Delgado’s goal for Al Hilal before the half restored the two-goal deficit.
Inter Miami tied the score at three with ten minutes remaining in the first half. After successfully converting the penalty kick, Messi quickly helped David Ruiz to restart the game.
Messi executed the penalty kick with success. (Image: Getty).
There was a chance for both teams to win, but only the home team seized it. Al Hilal won 4-3 when Malcolm raced up to seize a feed from Yasir Al Shahrani and headed past goalie Drake Callender in the 88th minute.
After three games, Miami is without a victory in the preseason under coach Gerardo Martino; the squad lost to FC Dallas and drew with El Salvador. Messi was replaced in the 87th minute, shortly before Malcolm scored the game-winning goal, although he has participated in an increasing number of Miami’s preseason games.
Messi talked with coach Martino after he was taken off the field (Photo: Getty).
Al-Hilal reportedly intended to recruit Messi when he left Paris Saint-Germain and became a free agent last year. However, Messi ultimately chose to move to America to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami and quickly led the team to its first trophy, the Leagues Cup.
Messi and Inter Miami hope for even more success in the 2024 season and preparations include an extensive tour of Asia with stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan.
Miami will play its second match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. The Portuguese star’s ability to play is in doubt due to his recent injury.