After scoring a header to help Inter Miami overcome an early deficit, Lionel Messi sent a message to his opponents’ fans in the stands in Las Vegas.
Messi appeared to be signaling by holding up three fingers, perhaps representing Argentina’s three World Cup appearances, but also reminding fans of Mexican league champions Club América, their country’s first major title in soccer. I guess it reminded me that it wasn’t there.
Messi’s celebration was playful and went viral on social media shortly after his first-half goal. But in the final minutes of Saturday’s preseason game, his young Inter Miami teammates took center stage.
Inter Miami defender Toto Avilés, 20, leveled the score with a header from a corner kick from Julian Gressel in the final minutes of stoppage time (90+2 minutes), forcing a penalty.
Then, 17-year-old Santiago Morales, making his debut as an extra player for Inter Miami, scored the winning goal in front of 45,262 Allegiant fans, helping Inter Miami beat Club America 2-2 (3-2 in the shootout). ) broke it. stadium.
Morales, the son of Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales, was mobbed by his teammates after winning the match.
It was a strange penalty round. Club America missed the first three shots. David Martinez and David Luiz also scored for Inter Miami.
Messi, who won the World Cup and Copa America twice with Argentina, received a pass from Luis Suarez in the box and headed the ball into the net in the 34th minute to score.
It was a timely reaction after Henry Martin had opened the scoring in the 31st minute. Israel Reyes scored Club America’s second goal in the 52nd minute.
Messi’s night ended when he was substituted in the 65th minute. He certainly entertained in the bench area towards the end of the game.
2025 will be a busy year for Messi, new manager Javier Mascherano and Inter Miami. Preseason games will be played in Peru on January 29th, Panama City on February 2nd, and Honduras on February 8th. The club will face Orlando City in its final preseason match on February 14th in Tampa, Florida.
Inter Miami will open the MLS season on February 22nd at home against New York City FC. However, the club will play the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup away to Sporting Kansas City on February 18th, with the second leg scheduled to be played at home on February 25th.
Inter Miami will also be competing in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, so it is important that they get off to a good start in pre-season.
Inter Miami received an early barometer on Saturday of how much effort they need to put in to prepare for the long season ahead. They did well against Mexico’s best team.
Most importantly, after sustaining a major ankle injury during last summer’s Copa America and having minor hamstring and groin injuries slow him down last season, Messi is in great shape to start this year. That’s what it seems like.
Inter Miami vs Club America Highlights
Inter Miami vs Club America penalty kick
1st round: V. Davila absent for Club America, F. Redondo absent for Inter Miami 2nd round: A. Cervantes absent for Club America, D. Martinez scores for Inter Miami 3rd round: Club América is without R. Sanchez, J. Gressel is out and Inter Miami makes a mistake. Round 4: J. Dirosan scores for Club America, D. Luiz scores for Inter Miami. Game 5: Carlos Calderon scores for Club America, Marc Weigand scores for Inter Miami. Game 6: R. Juarez scores for Club America, S. Morales scores for Inter Miami.
Toto Avilés goals: Club America 2, Inter Miami 2
Inter Miami defender Toto Avilés scored a header from a Julian Gressel corner kick in the 92nd minute, allowing Inter Miami to tie the game against Club America and force a penalty kick.
Israel Reyes goals: Club America 2, Inter Miami 1
Club America failed to clear the Inter Miami defense and took the lead again in the 52nd minute with a goal from Israel Reyes.
Lionel Messi goals: Inter Miami 1, Club America 1
After Club America took the lead, Inter Miami quickly equalized in the 34th minute when Messi received a pass from Suarez and headed it in front of the net.
Alba started the match with a pass to Saules, giving Inter Miami a draw against the LIGA MX champions.
Henry Martin goals: Club America 1, Inter Miami 0
Henry Martin got behind the Inter Miami defense and took a pass from Brian Rodriguez into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Messi misses a shot on goal: Inter Miami 0, Club America 0:
Jordi Alba spotted Messi running towards the net down the middle of the pitch. However, Messi tipped Alba’s pass over the net and into the stands in the 21st minute. It was Messi’s first shot on goal and Inter Miami’s first in a match against the LIGA MX champions.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Club America: Time, TV, Streaming
The MLS preseason friendly between Inter Miami and Liga MX’s Club America will be held on Saturday, January 18th, with the star-studded teams facing off at Allegiant Stadium just outside of Las Vegas. The game can be streamed for free on Apple TV.
Date: Saturday, January 18th Time: 10pm ET (7pm PT) TV: None Streaming: Apple TV Location: Allegiant Stadium (Paradise, Nevada)
Inter Miami vs Club America starting lineup
Is Messi still playing for Inter Miami?
Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest player in soccer history, will play for Inter Miami in the 2025 MLS season. However, Messi’s two-and-a-half year contract, announced in July 2023, expires at the end of the 2025 season, so there are no guarantees beyond that.
This is a turning point for Miami, MLS and Messi, who turns 38 this summer. From Messi’s point of view, he was able to conquer the league as expected. The former Barcelona star played in 39 games in all competitions, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists, and won the MVP award last season. It’s not the largest sample size, but no player in MLS history has had comparable numbers over the same span.
On the other hand, barring any lingering injuries or non-league obligations, Messi’s appearance totals could be even higher. Messi missed 21 games in the same period due to thigh and ankle problems, not to mention his duties with 2022 World Cup champion Argentina. That could cause some pause in terms of how long he wants to play, especially since there will be a lot of travel with Miami competing in the upcoming Club World Cup, which could affect the offers teams want to make. .
Club owner Jorge Mas said he was personally negotiating a contract extension. It’s clear that the Herons have one of the world’s most famous players in their stash, but Miami has a financial incentive to keep Messi. The club is building a stadium in Miami, with Freedom Park scheduled to open in 2026. This should boost Inter Miami’s standing as the club’s current home, Chase Stadium, is a temporary venue built in Fort Lauderdale.
Finally, MLS also sees 2026 as a big year. As was the case after the 1994 World Cup, it is believed that the 2026 World Cup will bring even more attention to U.S. soccer. If the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner retires or finds another club, MLS will not have the option of simply signing another Messi.
What happened to the 2024 Inter Miami MLS season?
Inter Miami had many positives to take from the 2024 MLS season. The club won their first truly major trophy, taking home the Supporters’ Shield (awarded to the top team in MLS’s regular season standings). Lionel Messi won the league MVP award and the Herons’ total of 74 points set a new league record for points in a single season. By any reasonable measure, it was one of the best seasons ever for an MLS team.
But the defining memory may be the three bad results in knockout play. In April, Miami lost home and away to Mexican powerhouse CF Monterrey and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Concaf Champions Cup. Four months later, in the League Cup, the Columbus Crew trailed by two points with 23 minutes remaining, but came back to win 3-2 and eliminate Miami.
Most of all, an upset in the playoffs for the ages is looming. Entering the MLS playoffs with just one loss in their final 17 games of the regular season, Miami faces Atlanta United, who will have to survive incredible drama to earn the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. . As expected, Miami won the opening game of the best-of-three series, but lost Games 2 and 3 (despite taking the lead in both games).
Inter Miami match venue
In a slight change in geography, Saturday’s Inter Miami game will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. It is the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
Messi, Inter Miami preseason tour
Inter Miami’s “The Americans Preseason Tour” begins in Las Vegas on January 18th when Inter Miami takes on Mexican champion Club America at Allegiant Stadium.
On January 29th, Inter Miami will face Peruvian club Universitario Deportes, the country’s first division champions, at the Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru.
Four days later, on February 2nd, Inter Miami will face Sporting San Miguelito at the Estadio Lommel Fernández Gutierrez in Panama City, Panama.
USMNT defeats Venezuela on Saturday
Jack McGlynn, Patrick Agyeman and Matko Miljevic will never forget their first time.
Three U.S. men’s national team players score the first international goals of their young careers in a 3-1 win over Venezuela in a friendly in front of 18,008 fans at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Saturday. I decided. —Safid Deen
USMNT Highlights: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Venezuela: Highlights, USMNT Victory Score
USMNT coach happy with friendly result
It was an effective day at the office for the club and new manager Maurico Pochettino. New manager Pochettino has improved his record to 4 wins and 1 loss since replacing former manager Gregg Berhalter in September last year.
Pochettino said after the game: “Today we not only saw good players and a good performance, but we played as a team.” “We are very happy.” — Safid Deen