Lionel Messi is a famous name. When you combine it with a former Barcelona teammate, you have a dish for mayhem. That is precisely what occurred as fans in El Salvador surrounded Inter Miami’s squad bus in hopes of catching a glimpse of the legendary Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, as the MLS team came to play a friendly against El Salvador in the opening match of their preseason tour.
With their star attacking duo of Suarez and Messi getting the nod from the start, there were great expectations among the many fans who had gone to the stadium in hopes of seeing the two re-create their Barcelona days. Tata Martino’s 5-3-2 formation featured a nearly full-strength XI, with a few rotated players and Deandre Yedlin serving as a substitute centre defense. Regardless, it’s a strong lineup for the MLS side.
Así fue la llegada de Lionel Messi al hotel de concentración en El Salvador.
Esto es fútbol.
La gente pasó horas esperando por ver el bus en el que va el campeón del mundo.#InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/gZ2aHDOmsa
— José Armando (@Jarm21) January 19, 2024
Lionel Messi enjoyed a Barcelona reunion since joining Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, with the opportunity to play with two of his closest teammates again.
Messi’s debut at the David Beckham-owned club last summer changed the team’s fortunes, as they won the Leagues Cup – a midseason event involving American and Mexican clubs – only weeks after his arrival, giving Miami its first trophy.