Inter Miami’s pre-season tour kicked off with a quiet 0-0 draw against El Salvador on Friday night, with new signing Luis Suarez making a subdued debut alongside former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
Suarez, who joined Miami from Brazilian club Gremio last month, started in attack alongside Messi at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador. However, the 36-year-old Uruguayan forward struggled to make an impact in his first outing for the Florida franchise.
Both Suarez and Messi, along with fellow former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, were replaced at halftime with the score still goalless.
Messi came closest to breaking the deadlock on 36 minutes, but his volley and follow-up effort were both denied by El Salvador goalkeeper Mario Martinez. Martinez was also alert to thwart Alba’s effort from inside the box four minutes later.
El Salvador almost snatched victory in the 83rd minute, but Styven Vasquez’s header cannoned off the crossbar.
The draw marks the start of a busy pre-season schedule for Miami as they prepare for the new MLS season, which kicks off against Real Salt Lake on February 21.
Miami face FC Dallas in a friendly on Monday before heading to Saudi Arabia for games against Al-Hilal on January 29 and Al-Nassr on February 1, where Messi could potentially face old rival Cristiano Ronaldo once more.
The Herons then travel to Asia to play friendlies against a Hong Kong select team on February 4 and Japanese side Vissel Kobe three days later.
They return to the United States for a final preseason game against Argentina squad Newell’s Old Boys on February 15.
