Inter Miami 3-4 Al-Hilal: Lionel Messi’s second-half penalty fails to save the Herons’ blushes as Malcom’s late winner crushes comeback with MLS side suffering embarrassment in front of a sold-out crowd in Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi is finally off this MLS preseason, although Inter Miami have now lost consecutive friendlies following Monday’s 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal in front of a sold-out crowd in Saudi Arabia.

The 36-year-old Argentinian coolly converted a penalty in the 55th minute to pull the Herons back into the match at the 40,000-seater Kingdom Arena after trailing 3-1 at halftime.

Messi was substituted just seconds before Malcom’s winner in the 88th minute, as fans roared his name and applauded him as he walked to the bench.

Miami lost to FC Dallas in Texas last Monday in front of a fan-bereaved Cotton Bowl Stadium – a sparkling contrast to this week’s match in Riyadh.

Barely a third of the college football stadium’s full capacity (92,1000) was filled, while only 32,211 fans showed up for what was Miami’s final preseason game of the month on home soil.

More to follow…