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News, Blog and GuidesThe out-of-form MLS side will take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Jan 30th, 2024 16:04 EST
Victor Fraile RodriguezUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Inter Miami have made several huge statements in the last six months or so, mainly by snapping up some of world soccer’s biggest-name players, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. The veteran quartet were serial winners together at Barcelona and have set their sights on MLS Cup success in 2024, but go into Thursday’s friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr on a run of form they’ll be desperate to put behind them.
Messi impact leads to Leagues Cup victory
The Herons enjoyed an instant upturn when Messi signed up in July, initially going on a 12-game unbeaten run which led them to winning the 2023 League Cup, the first trophy in their short history. But the former Barcelona star’s honeymoon period came to an abrupt halt when he suffered an injury while on international duty with Argentina in September and Inter Miami haven’t been the same since.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez & Sergio Busquets keep the ball up in training 🔥 pic.twitter.com/k6srJmOiJm
— GOAL (@goal) January 30, 2024
After scoring on his MLS debut against New York Red Bulls on 27 August, the 36-year-old has featured in only five more league matches, two of which he played less than 40 minutes in and none of which he has scored in. Messi captained Las Garzas to a thumping 4-0 victory over Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium on 21 September…and they haven’t won a game since.
How many games have Inter Miami failed to win?
Those four-and-a-bit months have, of course, included their offseason, although they have still played 11 matches in that time without tasting victory. Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s team ended the 2023 season with a seven-match winless run (six MLS games and the U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo) and haven’t beaten any of four friendly opponents since then, with their latest defeat coming against Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal in Riyadh on Monday.
11 games in total, in which they have suffered seven defeats and managed four draws.
Final from tonight’s match in Riyadh pic.twitter.com/irbngZ8oac
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 29, 2024
Inter Miami’s winless run
25 September: Orlando City 1-1 Inter Miami (MLS)28 September: Inter Miami 1-2 Houston Dynamo (U.S. Open Cup final)1 October: Inter Miami 1-1 NYCFC (MLS)5 October: Chicago Fire 4-1 Inter Miami (MLS)8 October: Inter Miami 0-1 Cincinnati (MLS)19 October: Inter Miami 2-2 Charlotte (MLS)22 October: Charlotte 1-0 Inter Miami (MLS)11 November: Inter Miami 1-2 NYCFC (friendly)20 January: El Salvador 0-0 Inter Miami (friendly)23 January: FC Dallas 1-0 Inter Miami (friendly)29 January: Al Hilal 4-3 Inter Miami (friendly)
