Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team associated with star player Lionel Messi, is set to face the El Salvador national team in a pre-season friendly. The match is scheduled for January 19 at the Cuscatlán Stadium in San Salvador, marking the team’s first preparation game for the 2024 MLS season.
The club, in a recent statement, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming season and the pre-season arrangements. Chris Henderson, Inter Miami’s Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, highlighted the importance of this friendly as a valuable initial challenge for the team, providing an opportunity to test their skills against some of the best players from El Salvador.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami this summer, has already made a significant impact, contributing to the team’s first-ever title victory in the Leagues Cup. Despite a promising start, an injury sidelined Messi for several MLS regular season games, and Inter Miami ultimately did not qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs.
Alongside Messi, Inter Miami has strengthened its roster by signing other high-profile players, including Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba from Spain. These additions are part of the club’s efforts to bolster its squad and enhance its competitiveness in the upcoming MLS season. The friendly against El Salvador is seen as a key step in these preparations, offering a glimpse of what fans can expect from Inter Miami in the 2024 campaign.