Al-Hilal forward Michael has admitted that he ‘is not worth anything’ after facing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami yesterday.
The Saudi Pro League leaders contested the Herons in Riyadh in what was an incredible match for neutrals, with Inter Miami coming from 3-1 down to draw 3-3, before a late Malcom goal saw Al-Hilal claim the win.
It was Inter Miami’s best performance so far in pre-season as both Messi and Luis Suarez both got their names on the scoresheet, with teenage midfielder David Ruiz also scoring a sensational goal.
Yet speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat post-match, Michael revealed that facing Messi was something else, with the Al-Hilal attacker seemingly in awe of the Inter Miami captain.
The Brazilian forward said when asked about the match and facing Messi: “I thank all those involved in the Riyadh Season Cup, which allowed us to face the best player in the world, Lionel Messi.
“I am not worth anything in front of Messi, so I should not be compared to him. I am a big admirer of Messi and I love him very much.”
Lionel Messi showed against Al-Hilal why he’s still one of the best around
Although Messi’s goal came from the penalty spot, the 36-year-old attacker looked like his usual best yesterday in what was Inter Miami’s best performance yet in pre-season.
The Argentine was alive to the ball, connected with his teammates and eager to make an impact, and the result is a testament to what Inter Miami can do when Messi is at his best.
Few would have expected Inter Miami to push Al-Hilal as far as they did yesterday, with the Saudi Arabian side arguably the best in all of Asia at the time of writing.
And for a rival player in Michael to praise Messi as much as he did, it’s clear that the Argentine left a lasting impressing on Al-Hilal’s star names.