The unfolding scenes and auditory delights narrated the tale on the Friday eve in San Salvador as Inter Miami CF initiated its 2024 preseason against El Salvador’s national team.
Anticipation had been building for weeks around the matchup, primarily due to the participation of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the paramount player in the sport’s history.
As the Miami players graced the field of the Cuscatlán Stadium, brimming with local fans, a spectacle ensued. Thousands, adorned in Messi jerseys, enthusiastically greeted each player in this sold-out arena.
A poignant moment materialized during the pre-game ceremony when El Salvador’s soccer legend, Jorge Alberto “El Mágico” González, performed the inaugural kick-off. Diego Armando Maradona, an Argentine soccer icon, once lauded El Mágico as one of the finest players, asserting his stature exceeded even Pelé and himself. Messi, acknowledging him, approached with a salutation, amplifying the cheers.
Earlier, the Inter Miami squad received a fervent welcome at their hotel, with fans lining the route as the players disembarked from modern buses painted in the team’s distinctive colors.
El Salvador went above and beyond, rolling out a red carpet traditionally reserved for heads of state. This gesture marked the team’s arrival with a regal touch.
Messi initiated the match alongside former Barcelona comrades Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, all playing a full 45 minutes. In the second half, Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino introduced substitutes, concluding the game in a draw.
Cuscatlán Stadium’s capacity of 53,400 spectators witnessed an engaging match, with numerous goal opportunities for both teams. Ticket prices for this highly anticipated event ranged from $200 to $475, potentially exceeding these figures through third-party vendors.
In the broader preseason schedule, Inter Miami CF is slated to participate in six additional matches. A notable clash awaits Messi against his longstanding Spanish League rival, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7), scheduled for February 1st in Saudi Arabia.
The team will also host Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys on February 15, a poignant encounter for Messi, who spent his youth career with the Rosario-based club. The remainder of the preseason schedule includes matches against FC Dallas, Al Hilal SFC, Al Nassr FC, a Hong Kong Team, Vissel Kobe, and Newell’s Old Boys.
Messi, having secured his eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris last year, holds the distinction of captaining Argentina to a triumphant World Cup campaign on December 18, 2022, marking a significant milestone in Inter Miami’s captaincy.