Lionel Messi and Inter Miami begin their preseason with a 0-0 draw against El Salvador

By: Marcos Aleman, The Associated Press Posted: 10:26 PM CST Friday, Jan. 19, 2024

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Four days after being named FIFA's best men's player, Lionel Messi began the preseason with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, which played to a scoreless draw with the El Salvador national team in an exhibition on Friday night.

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This article was published 19/01/2024 (990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Four days after being named FIFA’s best men’s player, Lionel Messi began the preseason with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, which played to a scoreless draw with the El Salvador national team in an exhibition on Friday night.

The Argentina star played in the first half alongside Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, his new teammate for the upcoming MLS season. Suarez reunited with Messi in Miami after the pair played six seasons together with Barcelona.

Fans packed the Cuscatlán stadium several hours before the start. El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, took the opportunity to meet Messi and hosted the team at the Presidential House ahead of the game.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi lies on the pitch after being fouled by El Salvador's Julio Sibrian, right, during a friendly soccer match at Cthe uscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Messi had a couple of scoring chances and set up Jordi Alba for a scoring opportunity in the 39th minute, but goalkeeper Mario González deflected the shot.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino rested Messi, Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in the second half. The club still controlled possession, but El Salvador had the best scoring chance when Steven Vázquez’s shot rattled the crossbar in the 83rd minute.

The 36-year-old Messi arrived in Miami last July and scored 10 goals in seven games. He led the club to its first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19.

Inter Miami will play FC Dallas next Monday at the Cotton Bowl and then will travel to Saudi Arabia to face Al Hilal on Jan. 29 and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Feb. 2.