LAS VEGAS – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami FC opened the team’s 2025 campaign at Allegiant Stadium, beating reigning LIGA MX champion Club America 2-2 (3-2) on penalties in a friendly on Saturday.
Messi gave the 40,000-plus fans in attendance a memento to take home with them, too. The eight-time Ballon D’or winner tied the game at 1-1 on a perfectly executed header on an assist by old friend Luis Suarez 31st minute.
The header was Messi’s second open attempt on goal in the first half, as the 37-year-old put too much on a left-footed volley attempt in the 21st minute after an excellent relay by Jordi Alba.
Inter Miami tied the game in the closing moments of stoppage time, as Toto Aviles scored a miraculous goal off a corner in the 92nd minute.
Club America regained a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute, as defender Israel Reyes took advantage of a brutal decision by newly-acquired Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to pass the ball directly back to Reyes out of his own net.
Henry Martin managed to draw first blood for Club America with a close-range finish in the 31st minute. Martin’s finish surely impressed Messi, who agreed to switch shirts with the 32-year-old Las Aguilas captain after the game.
Messi surprised fans by taking the pitch for the second half before being pulled from the game to a loud applause in the 66th minute. It may come as a surprise to some that Club America actually had the crowd advantage in Vegas on Saturday, but those who have attended past Liga MX tilts in the desert know just how well the Mexican fanbases show out in Las Vegas.
The game did rather well attendance wise for the fact that it was announced on a whim just over a month ago with what appeared to be limited outside promotion alongside of it. The event was put on by preseason matchmaker World Eleven, an Argentine company that serves as an international liaison for high level friendlies. The match was held in Las Vegas as a 30th anniversary celebration match for the company.
It’s fair to say a goal from the homegrown hero and a packed crowd on foreign soil equals a successful birthday celebration. More successful than many we’ve seen in Vegas.