Inter Miami got off to a humiliating start to Thursday’s friendly against Al-Nassr, conceding three goals within the first 12 minutes, including one from inside the opponent’s half.
With Lionel Messi watching after an injury, the MLS team quickly lost 3-0 to the Saudi team, which was without Cristiano Ronaldo.
The embarrassing start to the match was summed up by Al-Nassr’s third goal, scored by former Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte.
The defender fired a free kick from well inside his own half, which flew over Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender as he scrambled back to his goal. That made it 3-0.
The home team took the lead after just three minutes through Portuguese striker Otavio, before Brazilian Talisca doubled the lead shortly afterwards.
Lionel Messi watched from the bench as Inter Miami lost 3-0 to Al-Nassr after twelve minutes.
Jordi Alba (pictured), Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez all started for the MLS club on Thursday
Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands after being ruled out of the pre-season friendly
Despite being without Messi, Miami still had a starting XI that included Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.
At least Miami was able to stop the rot. At halftime of Thursday’s match the score was still 3-0.
Messi began the friendly on the couch after an MRI scan. It is claimed that Messi felt ‘discomfort’ after playing Al-Hilal and was investigated.
It came after his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo was excluded from the friendly in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese icon watched the match from the stands.
Miami is four games into a grueling preseason tour that will see them travel 17,000 miles with matches in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan before the new MLS season.
Messi is expected to play at some point during the rest of the tour.
Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte scored from his own half
Brazilian midfielder Talisca was also on the scoresheet during the first half in Riyadh
