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With new signing Luis Suarez a member of the team, Inter Miami have landed in El Salvador ahead of their first preseason contest – and Central American fans were excited to greet the MLS side

Inter Miami’s team bus was swarmed by impassioned fans looking to get a glimpse of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as the MLS club prepare to face El Salvador in a friendly on their insane preseason tour.

Messi’s arrival at the David Beckham-owned club last summer transformed their fortunes as Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup – a midseason tournament played between American and Mexican teams – to deliver Miami’s first piece of silverware just weeks after his arrival. Miami were also bottom of the Eastern Conference when Messi arrived and injuries for the Argentine derailed hopes of making a late run at the MLS playoffs

While he is undoubtedly the star attraction, Messi was not the only marquee signing made by Inter Miami as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also moved stateside. One of Messi’s closest friends after the pair starred together at Barcelona, Uruguayan striker Suarez has now also joined the eight-time Ballon d’Or champion in Miami.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi has reunited with 2 out of his 10 favourite teammates at Inter Miami

Suarez and Messi played at Barcelona together from 2014 to 2020, forming a legendary attacking trident alongside Neymar. Along with Alba and Busquets, they won the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup in 2015 and won four La Liga titles.

Although he has been battling chronic knee issues for years, Suarez remains an effective player and is a household name. Upon landing in El Salvador ahead of the hybrid international-club friendly, fans waited for hours before flooding the streets to welcome Messi and co.