WATCH: Lionel Messi's outrageous Olimpico attempt brilliantly kept out by FC Dallas goalkeeper as Inter Miami's talismanic forward endures frustrating night

The Argentine superstar endured a frustrating outing against MLS rivals FC Dallas as Inter Miami step up their preparations for the 2024 campaign. Having played out a 0-0 draw with El Salvador in their opening pre-season encounter, the Herons slipped to a 1-0 defeat against domestic foes.

Tata Martino’s side created little in an attacking sense, despite once again fielding eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez in the same starting XI. Inter Miami are still working on finding a spark inside their star-studded squad.

Messi can usually be relied upon to provide that, and he came as close as anybody to netting Inter Miami’s first goal of 2024 when lining up against Dallas. The 2022 World Cup winner was inches away from forcing the ball over the line with a whipped corner that dipped underneath the crossbar.

To his credit, Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes reacted smartly to the audacious strike from Messi and was able to claw the ball away to safety. Inter Miami are now preparing to head for Saudi Arabia, where they are due to face Al-Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Riyadh Cup.