Inter Miami CF's preseason tour heads to Saudi Arabia, creating a clash of stars on Jan. 29 (Monday) against Al Hilal in the Riyadh Season Cup.
How to watch & stream
When
- Monday, Jan. 29 - 1 pm ET/10 am PT
Where
- Kingdom Arena - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
This is Inter Miami's third preseason test of seven overall, building towards their 2024 regular-season opener on Feb. 21 vs. Real Salt Lake (8 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
What heights can Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez reach at Inter Miami? That’s arguably the question of the 2024 MLS campaign as these former FC Barcelona superstars reunite in South Florida.
Suárez, of course, only joined the party this winter after Messi, Busquets and Alba all arrived last July to push Inter Miami from rock-bottom to the 2023 Leagues Cup title and a Concacaf Champions Cup berth.
As anticipation builds, eyes are also on how newcomers Julian Gressel and Nicolás Freire enhance the squad. Plus, there’s an early setback – and subsequent tactical/roster questions to sort – after Facundo Farías suffered an ACL injury.
Al Hilal are the most decorated club team in Asia, winning 66 trophies across all competitions. And they're on track to build on prior successes, currently sitting first in the Saudi Pro League standings.
Neymar, the Brazilian star forward who used to play alongside Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, won't feature after suffering a torn ACL last fall. Additionally, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Morocco) and center back Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) have been competing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Even still, Al Hilal aren't short of star power as forward Aleksandar Mitrović plays alongside midfielders Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić – all high-priced imports from European leagues. They also boast left back Renan Lodi and winger Malcom, two additional Brazil internationals.
