Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami colleagues were defeated 4-3 by Al Hilal in the dramatic Riyadh Season Cup opening. The MLS team fought valiantly against the Saudi Pro League leaders, but were finally defeated in an exciting match.
Inter Miami was invited to the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup, where they would play two of Saudi Arabia’s greatest teams in a friendly competition. Lionel Messi and his teammates were quickly made aware of the strength of the opposition in their first encounter.
Despite playing without injured superstars Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Bono, Al Hilal demonstrated why they are Saudi Arabia’s top team. They immediately took the lead, but Lionel Messi and Inter Miami battled back before losing a late goal to the Saudis.
Inter Miami and Messi are DEFEATED in the opener. π³
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) January 29, 2024
Al Hilal win 4-3 in a WILD contest in Saudi Arabia. πΈπ¦
Watch the Riyadh Season Cup LIVE AND FREE on https://t.co/2p9YPKh0hM pic.twitter.com/kPbpVozTd4
The 36-year-old captain, who had a goal disallowed for offside, scored one penalty and assisted on another. Al Hilal put up a controlled effort to defeat their opponents on the night, and the match had fans on X talking about Messi.
“In my books, Messi has two goals. “It’s a shame the other was denied.”
“It was a good concert. Inter Miami just has to improve their defense to challenge for the MLS championship.”
See more reactions from X below;
LETS ALL LAUGH AT INTER MIAMI ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) January 29, 2024
inter miamiβs defense against al hilal tonight πππpic.twitter.com/8ck9VHVc8r
— β° (@oneil__) January 29, 2024
36 yrs old Messi teaching Saudi best team Al Hilal that - Father will always be the Father πππ
— Omifyyy (@omifyyy) January 29, 2024
1 goal 1 assist the GOAT has arrived in Saudi π₯π₯https://t.co/i39NzbjGy3
Messi's heatmap against Al Hilal pic.twitter.com/2AQahbATau
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) January 29, 2024
Never Forget Al Nassr lost 3-0 against This Al Hilal team after spending more than β¬250m last summer.
— ACE (@FCB_ACEE) January 29, 2024
Meanwhile 15th placed inter Miami (Spent β¬0m) was competing 3-3 till 88th minute... Messi's Effect is Crazy π pic.twitter.com/eduZb8MWWR
Al-Hilal are still unbeaten this season. If Messi can't beat them then I don't see any other team itw beating leaders ππpic.twitter.com/lzeuuC8KC6
— Hamza (@HazzSayz) January 29, 2024
FT | Al Hilal 4-3 Inter Miami
— Dr Yash ξ¨ (@YashRMFC) January 29, 2024
They were cooking Ronaldo for saying this lol. Even Al Hilal's B team cooked them. pic.twitter.com/T1yfu9KLiA
2 goals for Messi in my books. Itβs a shame the other was disallowed
— Zhang_Yang1001 (@ZYang1001) January 29, 2024
It was a good showing . Inter Miami only need to fix their defence and they can compete for the MLS title.
— HONEST (@HONEST08600247) January 29, 2024
In a gripping Inter Miami game, Lionel Messi excels
Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino expressed concern last week about his team’s lack of goals following their first two pre-season games. The Herons had failed to score in games against El Salvador and FC Dallas, losing the latter by one goal.
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, not only inspired his team to score in their Riyadh Season Cup opener, but he also scored himself. Al Hilal grabbed the lead via Aleksandr Mitrovic, and Abdullah Al Hamdan increased their advantage in the early exchanges.
Luis Suarez scored his first goal as a Heron, halving the deficit, before Michael Delgado put the Saudi Pro League leaders up by two goals. Messi stepped up minutes into the second half and hammered a penalty shot into the top corner, bringing his team within one.
The Argentine great then set up youngster David Ruiz to score a superb equalizer for the MLS club. Malcolm, Messi’s old Barcelona teammate, scored in the 88th minute to secure the close victory for Al Hilal in Riyadh.
The Herons will play their second pre-season encounter in Riyadh versus Al Nassr before heading east to Asia for the next phase of their trip.