Featured Image Credit: X/@mesmmarr
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Hilal striker Michael celebrated scoring in a friendly against Inter Miami by performing Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'Siu' celebration as Lionel Messi watched on.
The much-anticipated game between Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and Leagues Cup winners Inter Miami was played at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday evening.
Miami, who will kick-start their MLS campaign next month, fielded a star-studded line-up against Jorge Jesus' side, with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi all featuring.
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But the home side ran rampant in the first-half as goals from Aleksandr Mitrovic and Abdullah Al-Hamdan gave Al Hilal a much-deserved 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes.
Suarez managed to reduce the deficit shortly after the half hour mark but Brazilian forward Michael restored Al Hilal's two goal advantage in the 44th minute before performing Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Siu' celebration.
After the first-half break, the ever-reliable Messi converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-2 before assisting 19-year-old midfielder David Ruiz, who equalised for the MLS side with a wonderful effort.
Check out Ruiz's strike below:
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has previously explained why he decided to join Inter Miami after turning down an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal worth a reported €1.5 billion across two years.
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Before penning a deal with the Florida-based club, he said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers: "I made the decision that I'm going to go to Miami.
"I still haven't closed it 100%. I'm still missing a few things, but we decided to go ahead. If Barcelona didn't work out, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight and think more about my family."
Inter Miami are in Saudi Arabia for a two-game tour that has been branded the Riyadh Season Cup. They will come up against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr on Thursday.