Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, MLS, Inter Miami
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, MLS, Inter Miami
Al-Hilal have aimed another dig at Lionel Messi following the side's 4-3 win over Inter Miami in the Riyadh Season Cup last night.
Inter Miami have stepped up their new season preparation with a trip to Saudi Arabia, as Messi begins his first full season at the American side.
Despite the MLS club fielding a side that included Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, they found themselves 3-1 down at half-time.
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In typical Messi fashion the Argentine managed to pull his side back from the brink with a penalty and assist to level the scores in the second half, but an 88th-minute winner from Brazilian, Malcom, saw Al-Hilal leave victorious.
Following the game, Al-Hilal poked a cheeky jab at Messi and his teammates through their Instagram account.
When announcing the full-time result, the Saudi Pro League side used the caption: "Well, we took it easy."
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Despite being on completely different continents there is a rather odd tension between the MLS and the Saudi Pro League, with both leagues trying to be the top level of elite football outside Europe.
Cristiano Ronaldo's presence in Saudi Arabia is also a key factor for the added tensions, with the Portuguese star not afraid to throw shade at the MLS.
"The Saudi League is better than the MLS", Ronaldo stated last July following Messi's move from PSG, and the Al-Hilal result certainly doesn't disprove his claim.
However, Messi will have a chance to put things right as Inter Miami concludes their visit to the Middle East with a 'last dance' style showdown against Ronaldo's Al Nassr on Thursday.
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Despite Al-Hilal's bitter rivalry with Al Nassr, Al Hilal striker Michael celebrated scoring by performing Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'Siu' celebration as Lionel Messi watched on.
That wasn't the only dig Messi faced during the game, as Al Hilal continued to stir the pot during the match, talking on social media, Al Hilal brutally mocked Messi by posting a picture of the Argentine on the floor after a challenge by Ruben Neves.
The account wrote: “It's okay Leo.. you're not the first. #RollsRuben.”