That’s how you do it MLS! Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face Al-Hilal in a packed Kingdom Arena as Saudi Arabian fans chant the superstar’s name… one week after the Herons played a near-empty Cotton Bowl
- Inter Miami’s exhibition match against Dallas attracted only 32,2111 spectators
- That’s not much, considering the Cotton Bowl can hold up to 92,100 fans
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami faced Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal at a sold-out Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Monday, with the friendly affair providing the eight-time Ballon d’Or star with a stark reminder that he is playing in America just a week later. versus FC Dallas in a nearly empty Cotton Bowl.
The 36-year-old Argentinian and his Miami teammates will be in the Middle East until at least Thursday, when the Herons play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Hilal.
But unlike the regular sightings of sparse crowds at MLS matches, Messi fans made sure to make their presence known on Monday as the 40,000-seat Kingdom Arena was packed.
Messi even got the crowd roaring at one point as they thought he had scored a goal in the 38th minute, only for the referees to rule it out for offside.
The meeting between Miami and Dallas in Texas, on the other hand, attracted no fewer than 32,211 spectators. That’s not much, considering the Cotton Bowl can seat up to 92,100 people.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami played against Al Hilal in a sold-out Kingdom Arena on Monday
Miami’s friendly affair in the Middle East is in stark contrast to the team’s preseason loss to FC Dallas in the Cotton Bowl last week
While the crowds – and lack thereof – have been hampered by terribly rainy weather, it has led to questions about why MLS decided to schedule the match for a Monday night in January at 6 p.m.
What’s more is that Dallas will also host the 2026 World Cup final at AT&T Stadium – home of the NFL’s Cowboys – but last Monday’s friendly was a worrying dress rehearsal two years after the main event.
It came as a huge shock to see so few fans in Dallas, while many fans showed up in Saudi Arabia. This spoke volumes about the football landscape in both countries, despite Messi’s status as the greatest player of all time.
Messi was booed by the sold-out crowd in Riyadh when fans thought he had scored a goal, but the goal was disallowed for offside
Messi and his teammates from Miami kicked off the Cotton Bowl in Dallas last Monday
After a trip to Saudi Arabia, Inter Miami will continue collecting miles to play two more money-spinning games.
On the other side of the world, they face Hong Kong XI on February 4, before taking on Andres Iniesta and Vissel Kobe three days later. Inter Miami will then take on Messi’s former team Newell’s Old Boys at home on February 15.
The Herons trailed 3-1 at half-time against Al Hilal, despite Luis Suarez scoring his first goal for the club since signing for Miami in December.
Neymar was ruled out of the match due to a cruciate ligament tear suffered in October. He is not expected to return to action before August.