NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi showcased his skills in an MLS preseason game for Inter Miami, where they faced a 1-0 defeat against FC Dallas at the Cotton Bowl. Messi made an impact with three shots on goal during the first half before leaving the game about 15 minutes into the second half. FC Dallas secured an early lead with forward Jesús Ferreira's uncontested shot three minutes into the match.
Despite Messi's efforts, his first two shots were saved by FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who made a diving save to deflect Messi's second attempt in the 12th minute.Messi's third shot in the 27th minute went wide left. The match, played in a drizzle with a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, attracted an announced crowd of 32,221.
Paes, hailing from the Netherlands, expressed his appreciation for playing at the historic Cotton Bowl, a venue with memories dating back to the 1994 World Cup. Luis Suárez, Messi's former teammate at FC Barcelona from 2014-20, played in his first match on American soil since joining Inter Miami in December. Suárez had two shots on goal in the first half.
Despite Messi's departure and Suárez's efforts, Inter Miami failed to score for the second consecutive preseason game, following a 0-0 draw against El Salvador. FC Dallas defended their lead in the second half against a barrage of shots with substitute goalkeepers Jimmy Maurer and Antonio Carrera.
Reflecting on the opportunity to play against Messi, FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said, "To get to play against Lionel Messi is an unbelievable opportunity. For most people, it's a never. Most markets never get to bring him… you have the greatest probably of all time, with maybe the exception of Pele, and you get to have him twice in your market."
Messi, who arrived in Miami last July, scored 10 goals in seven games and led Inter Miami to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19. The team is set to travel to Saudi Arabia for upcoming matches against Al Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
(Inputs from AP)
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Despite Messi's efforts, his first two shots were saved by FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who made a diving save to deflect Messi's second attempt in the 12th minute.Messi's third shot in the 27th minute went wide left. The match, played in a drizzle with a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, attracted an announced crowd of 32,221.
Paes, hailing from the Netherlands, expressed his appreciation for playing at the historic Cotton Bowl, a venue with memories dating back to the 1994 World Cup. Luis Suárez, Messi's former teammate at FC Barcelona from 2014-20, played in his first match on American soil since joining Inter Miami in December. Suárez had two shots on goal in the first half.
Despite Messi's departure and Suárez's efforts, Inter Miami failed to score for the second consecutive preseason game, following a 0-0 draw against El Salvador. FC Dallas defended their lead in the second half against a barrage of shots with substitute goalkeepers Jimmy Maurer and Antonio Carrera.
Reflecting on the opportunity to play against Messi, FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said, "To get to play against Lionel Messi is an unbelievable opportunity. For most people, it's a never. Most markets never get to bring him… you have the greatest probably of all time, with maybe the exception of Pele, and you get to have him twice in your market."
Messi, who arrived in Miami last July, scored 10 goals in seven games and led Inter Miami to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19. The team is set to travel to Saudi Arabia for upcoming matches against Al Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
(Inputs from AP)
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