New Delhi: Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami during the club’s first game during the pre-season campaign as the Herons won in the penalty shootout against Mexican side Club America in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Argentina’s captain headed home from Luis Suarez’s cross from close range, equalizing just three minutes after Henry Martin had put his side ahead.
Messi’s goal saw fans chanting the 37-year-old’s name though in reply the Club America fans booed. The goal came just 12 minutes after Messi had overshot the goal from almost a point-blank spot. He also drew two free kicks in the first half of the game.
New year, same story. 😏
Suarez to Messi for the first @InterMiamiCF preseason goal of 2025. pic.twitter.com/NZZi0qTtiE
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 19, 2025
In the 52nd minute, Israel Reyes doubled Club America’s lead as Miami’s newly appointed manager Javier Mascherano made quick substitutions which saw Messi removed in the 66th minute. It was Tomas Aviles who stopped America from victory when he scored two minutes into the stoppage time from a corner made by Julian Gressel. This resulted in the game going into the equalizer which Miami won 3-2.
With five games to be played in the preseason, that will see them go to Central and South America, the opening exhibition will give them a lot of confidence. The team’s regular season will start on February 22nd when they take on Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The game also was Mascherano’s first time at the helm of the MLS team, after being a long-time teammate to Messi in the Argentina dugout.
There are lots of talks around Messi as questions grow about whether this will be the last season with Inter Miami as his contract ends this season. There is little doubt that Inter Miami would like to retain their best player, despite Messi’s age. For his performance in 2024, he was named MLS MVP scoring 20 goals and 16 assists from 19 games though he was out for a prolonged period in the season after sustaining an injury during Argentina’s Copa America win.
Overall, for Inter Miami he has scored 21 goals and made 18 assists from 25 games since joining the club in 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain. There have been talks around Messi’s future, including a possible return to his former club in La Liga Barcelona.
Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami with a stunning header as Javier Mascherano debut with the club ends in penalty shootout win against Mexican club Club America. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
