David Ruiz living Inter Miami dream after ‘watching Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo on TV’ – with Al-Nassr next up for MLS outfit in busy pre-season

The 19-year-old Honduras international is a Florida native and has worked his way through the academy ranks at DRV PNK Stadium to become a senior star. He enjoyed a breakthrough year with the Herons in 2023, taking in 30 appearances across all competitions, and has continued to figure prominently in pre-season ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Ruiz was among the goals as Inter Miami suffered a 4-3 defeat against Al-Hilal in the Riyadh Cup – with Messi and Luis Suarez also on target – and knows that a meeting with Al-Nassr and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is next on the agenda.

Ruiz said after being asked about Tata Martino’s side failing to win any of their three friendlies so far this year: “Of course we want to win, but we know this is the preseason, and we are working on getting better every day to the MLS season coming up. We are focusing on getting minutes and preparing. After watching Messi and Ronaldo on TV playing in these games is really special.”

End product is being added to Ruiz’s game, as he breaks forward from the middle of the park, and he expects playing alongside Messi and Co to raise his game even further. The teenager added: “I am trying to score more goals and get more assists this season. With the quality that Leo has, I always know he will be there, so I am trying to get behind defenders as much as I can. I always wanted to score goals and get assists for this club and I know there are young kids in the academy and all over Miami watching me now and I try to inspire them to see that anything’s possible.”

Inter Miami are set to face Al-Nassr on Thursday, as part of their historic international tour in 2024, with it yet to be determined whether Portuguese superstar Ronaldo – who has been nursing an injury – will figure in that contest.