A few days after winning the title of FIFA’s best men’s player, Lionel Messi began his preseason with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, which drew 0-0 with the El Salvador national team in a friendly game on Friday night.
The Argentine star and Luis Suarez, a striker from Uruguay who is now his new teammate, played together in the first half. After spending six seasons together at Barcelona, Suarez and Messi were reunited in Miami.
Fans packed the Cuscatlán stadium several hours before kickoff. El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, grabbed the opportunity to witness Messi and hosted the team at the Presidential House before the match.
Messi had few opportunities to score and set up Jordi Alba for a goal in the 39th minute, but Mario González, the goalkeeper, deflected his attempt.
In the second half, Messi, Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets were given breaks by Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino. Although the team maintained possession, El Salvador had the greatest goal opportunity in the 83rd minute when Steven Vázquez’s effort struck the crossbar.
Next Monday, Inter Miami will take on FC Dallas at the Cotton Bowl. On January 29 and February 2, the team will be traveling to Saudi Arabia to play Al Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.