Lionel Messi Meets Magico Before Inter Miami And El Salvador Draw
Inter Miami kicked off their 2024 pre-season campaign with a 0-0 draw against El Salvador on Friday night.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets all played the first 45 minutes for Miami in San Salvador before being subbed off at half-time.
Messi impressed in flashes and would have scored were it not for a brilliant double save by El Salvador keeper Mario Gonzalez.
The Major League Soccer side dominated possession at the Estadio Cuscatlan but El Salvador produced more shots and came closest to winning the game when Steven Vazquez hit the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
Despite El Salvador being the home team, Messimania meant that the majority of local support was for the players wearing black and pink.
Highlights: El Salvador 0-0 Inter Miami
Although Messi failed to produce a Hallmark moment during his 45 minutes of game time, the Miami captain thrilled fans before the match when he shared an embrace with 65-year-old Salvadoran legend Magico Gonzalez on the field.
Magico, whose full name is Jorge Alberto Gonzalez Barillas, is widely considered to be El Salvador's greatest ever player.
Diego Maradona even once said that Gonzalez was greater than himself and Brazil icon Pele.
Lionel Messi pictured (right) next to El Salvador legend Magico Gonzales at the Estadio Cuscatlan
MLS
Next up for Inter Miami is a friendly game against FC Dallas on Monday.
Messi and Co will then travel to Saudi Arabia for two games, including one against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.
The new MLS season will begin on February 21 when Miami and Real Salt Lake clash at DRV PNK Stadium.
