Argentine legend Lionel Messi opened his scoring account for 2024, netting his first goal for Inter Miami in a thrilling friendly against Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The match, held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as part of the Riyadh Season Cup, ended in a 4-3 victory for Al-Hilal, but it marked a promising start for Messi in his first full season in Major League Soccer.
Background of Messi's transfer and its global impact
This objective comes as part of Inter Miami's global preseason tour in preparation for the 2024 season. Since Lionel Messi, the 2022 World Cup winner, joined the club in the summer of 2023, the world's attention has turned to Major League Soccer (MLS). His impact hasn't been limited to the pitch, where he led the team to its first-ever title (the Leagues Cup), but has extended to unprecedented commercial and media exposure, significantly boosting the brand value of both the club and the league as a whole. This global tour, which includes stops in Central America and Asia, aims to capitalize on this international momentum and further enhance the team's popularity before the official start of the season.
Match details and its importance
The match, held at the Kingdom Arena, was a highly competitive affair. Despite the absence of Brazilian star Neymar from Al-Hilal's ranks due to injury, the Asian champions delivered a strong performance. Messi scored his goal in the 54th minute from a penalty kick, bringing his team back into the game. This wasn't the only notable moment for Inter Miami, as his teammate and close friend, Uruguayan star Luis Suárez, scored his first goal for the pink club in the 34th minute, signaling the beginning of a long-awaited and historic attacking partnership in American football.
The sporting and economic dimensions of the event
Regionally, the match was a highlight of Riyadh Season, which has become a global platform for hosting major sporting and entertainment events, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and enhance its position as a global tourism and sports destination. Internationally, the match was watched by millions around the world, not only to see Messi, but also as a prelude to the highly anticipated clash between Inter Miami and Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, a few days later – a match dubbed the "final showdown" between two legends who have dominated the world of football for over a decade.
A look ahead at Messi and Inter Miami's season
With the preseason tour now complete, attention turns to the official MLS season, which kicks off in late February. Messi carries the hopes and aspirations of Inter Miami fans for more titles, a strong challenge for the league championship, and participation in the CONCACAF Champions League. As his brilliance continues, the most pressing question remains his future with the Argentine national team and his potential participation in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
