Lionel Messi, the football legend, found himself in an unfamiliar position as he played for Inter Miami in a preseason match against FC Dallas. Despite his presence on the field, the spotlight belonged to FC Dallas star Jesus Ferreira, who secured a 1-0 victory for his team with a goal just three minutes into the game at Cotton Bowl Stadium on a chilly Monday night.
Messi’s Unfamiliar Territory
Inter Miami, Messi’s current team, had embarked on a preseason tour, with previous matches in El Salvador and Dallas, leaving them scoreless thus far. The team showcased some of its star players, including Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and newcomer Julian Gressel, a recent MLS Cup champion with the Columbus Crew.
In the match against FC Dallas, Messi and his teammates played until the 64th minute before being substituted out. The connection between Messi and Suárez, former teammates at FC Barcelona, was evident on the pitch, but unfortunately, their passes did not result in goals. Messi himself missed three shots, and Suárez had three missed opportunities, including a challenging stretch to receive a pass from Messi.
As Leo Messi’s night concluded in the 64th minute against FC Dallas, the disappointment of a 1-0 scoreline lingered. The last notable sequence before their exit saw Messi passing to Robert Taylor, who then returned the ball to Messi, and finally, Suárez had a shot that was thwarted right at the net. Despite the result, the fans witnessed moments of brilliance and teamwork from these football maestros.
Acknowledging Fans in Defeat
Despite the loss and missed opportunities, Messi acknowledged the fans as he circled off the pitch in the 87th minute, wearing a heavy black jacket on the wet, 40-degree night. This match was a far cry from the thrilling encounter between Inter Miami and FC Dallas in August, where Inter Miami staged a comeback and eventually advanced in the Leagues Cup tournament.
As Inter Miami heads home, they have a week before their next game in a worldwide tour. The team’s preseason schedule includes matches in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. The Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia will feature clashes against Al Hilal on Jan. 29 and Al Nassr on Feb. 1, setting the stage for a meeting between Messi and his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. This encounter is billed as “The Last Dance,” adding anticipation to the already heated Messi-Ronaldo debate.
Riyadh Season Cup: Messi vs. Ronaldo Preview
The preseason tour will continue with matches in Hong Kong on Feb. 4 and Tokyo on Feb. 7, culminating in a final preseason game at home against Newell’s Old Boys at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Feb. 15. Inter Miami is set to cover an impressive 25,165.54 miles during their worldwide preseason tour, symbolizing the global reach and appeal of football.
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Gearing Up for 2024 MLS Season
As the excitement builds for the Messi vs. Ronaldo showdown on Feb. 1, soccer fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating what could be the final faceoff between the two football icons. The match will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and event organizers have labeled it as “The Last Dance,” fueling the ongoing debate about who holds the title of the best soccer player in the world.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami is gearing up for the 2024 MLS season, where they will kick off against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The club will also have an away game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Feb. 25 as part of the MLS opening weekend.