Luis Suarez’s Quiet Debut: Goalless Draw for Inter Miami Against El Salvador

Luis Suarez had a modest start to his Inter Miami career, playing alongside his ex-Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi in a goalless draw against El Salvador. The match marked the beginning of Inter Miami’s pre-season tour. Suarez, who recently joined the Major League Soccer team after his stint with Brazil’s Gremio, shared the field with Messi in San Salvador’s Estadio Cuscatlan.

The 36-year-old Uruguayan striker found it challenging to make a significant impact in his first game for the Florida-based team. Alongside Suarez and Messi, former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also featured in the game but were substituted at halftime without any goals scored.

Messi nearly scored in the 36th minute after receiving a pass from Busquets, but El Salvador’s goalkeeper Mario Martinez thwarted his volley and the subsequent attempt. Martinez continued his strong performance, later blocking a close-range effort from Alba.

El Salvador had a near-win moment in the 83rd minute with Styven Vasquez’s header hitting the bar, narrowly missing a goal. This friendly match is part of a busy pre-season schedule for Inter Miami, who are gearing up for their next MLS season opener against Real Salt Lake on February 21.

Inter Miami has a friendly lined up against FC Dallas on Monday, followed by a trip to Saudi Arabia for matches against Al-Hilal on January 29 and Al-Nassr on February 1. The latter is anticipated to feature a showdown between Messi and his long-time competitor Cristiano Ronaldo.

The team will then travel to Asia for friendlies against a Hong Kong select team on February 4 and Japanese side Vissel Kobe on February 7. Inter Miami wraps up their pre-season with a game against Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys on February 15, before heading back to the United States.