Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the 2025 preseason, as Inter Miami CF rallied to beat LIGA MX powerhouse Club América 3-2 on penalties in their preseason opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday night.
The former FC Barcelona trio of Messi, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba combined to level for the Herons in the 34th minute. Alba sought out Suarez at the back post, and the legendary Uruguayan clipped a ball in front of goal, which Messi headed home.
That came just three minutes after the reigning LIGA MX champions broke the stalemate with Henry Martín crashing the back post to tap in a pass from former LAFC winger Brian Rodriguez.
Messi’s goal was his first under new manager Javier Mascherano a year after 36 goal contributions (20g/16a) in just 19 matches en route to being named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP.
Las Águilas regained their lead as Israel Reyes capitalized on a defensive miscue in the 53rd minute, but Tomás Avilés equalized at the death for Inter Miami, heading in a sublime corner kick by Julian Gressel.
The match would be decided by a penalty kick shootout and recently-signed Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made a pair of saves and 17-year-old homegrown Santi Morales scored the decisive penalty as the Herons won the shootout, 3-2.
Inter Miami will next meet Universitario de Deportes in Peru as part of their five-match preseason tour. They're preparing for the club's 2025 MLS regular-season opener on Feb. 22 vs. New York City FC and their Concacaf Champions Cup return on Feb. 18 at Sporting Kansas City.
Goals
Lineups
- MIA starting XI: Rocco Ríos Novo - Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba (Leonardo Afonso, 72') - Sergio Busquets (David Ruiz, 72'), Federico Redondo, Robert Taylor (Julian Gressel, 65') - Fafá Picault (Santiago Morales, 88'), Lionel Messi (Yannick Bright, 66'), Luis Suárez (Héctor Martínez, 65')
- AME starting XI: Luis Malagón (Rodolfo Cota, 62') - Kevin Álvarez (Miguel Vazquez, 62'), Israel Reyes (Dagoberto Espinoza, 62'), Sebastián Cáceres (Javairo Dilrosun, 45'), Cristian Borja (Alan Cervantes, 45') - Jonathan dos Santos (Ramón Juarez, 45'), Érick Sánchez (Richard Sánchez, 45'), Alejandro Zendejas (Néstor Araujo, 45'), Brian Rodriguez (Miguel Ramírez, 62') - Henry Martin (Victor Dávila, 45'), Álvaro Fidalgo (Cristian Calderón, 45')
