He did not win, but Lionel Messi (36) opened his 2024 with a goal and assist in less than sixty seconds. First a penalty almost in the square, immediately afterwards a beautiful through pass. Inter Miami lost the practice match against Al-Hilal – the club that offered him 400 million euros annually in May. Cristiano Ronaldo will probably be waiting for Thursday.
Inter Miami is in Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh Season Cup. The first of two preparatory tournaments for Messi’s club. And all in anticipation of the new MLS season that starts at the end of February.
Miami opened today against Al-Hilal, the leader in the Saudi Pro League. It became a spectacle. With Aleksandar Mitrovic (ex-Anderlecht) opening the scoring, Luis Suárez scoring his first for Inter Miami and Michael imitating Cristiano Ronaldo’s SIU celebration at 3-1. It’s just a matter of pissing off that big star.
LOOK. Michael’s SIU celebration
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Of course, Messi’s moment had yet to come. Totally in minutes 54 and 55. First he shot a penalty perfectly into the top corner. The ball went in at 53:34. Immediately afterwards he sent David Ruiz away with a wonderful through ball. The time on the scoreboard: 54:20. Not even a minute later. A goal and an assist – okay, Ruiz still had a lot of work to do and did a nice job himself – in less than 60 seconds. His quick movements were also present: Messi simply played rock solid.
LOOK. Messi’s penalty goal
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He didn’t win. Malcom still gave Al-Hilal the win with a striking header. Interesting detail: Al-Hilal is the team that wooed Messi in May with a monster salary of 400 million euros per year. The Argentinian dropped out of the Saudi competition – his wife Antonela did not want to go to the desert – and went to Miami.
Inter Miami will play against star Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Thursday. Probably the last time that the two superstars will face each other. Although it remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will actually be 100 percent fit. He was struggling with a calf problem, but is now expected to be back on the training field.
LOOK. Messi’s assist
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READ ALSO.
Including a steak for 1,000 (!) dollars: Lionel Messi and co celebrate in Miami
Ronaldo lashes out after being overlooked: “Ballon d’Or loses credibility”
© ANP / EPA
© ANP / EPA
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2024-01-29 21:22:33
#perfect #penalty #great #deep #pass #Lionel #Messi #scores #assist #minute #Football
