LAS VEGAS — Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the 2025 preseason, as Inter
Miami CF rallied to beat Club America 3-2 on penalties in their preseason
opener at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (IST).
The former FC Barcelona trio of Messi, Luis Suarez, 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 Martin 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 Aguilas regained their lead as Israel Reyes capitalised
on a defensive miscue in the 53rd minute, but Tomas Aviles equalised 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 Rios 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 February 22 against New York City FC and their CONCACAF Champions Cup
return on February 18 at Sporting Kansas
