Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) made his presence felt in a preseason match. He led Inter Miami's attack with a brilliant goal from a solo run and an assist.
Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Barcelona SC in a preseason friendly held in Quito, Ecuador, on the 8th (Korean time). The match did not decide a winner, but Messi was unquestionably the center of attention that day.
Messi opened the scoring in the 31st minute of the first half. After gaining possession below the halfway line, he drove forward with a solo dribble, beat two defenders in succession near the penalty area, and curled a left-footed shot into the net. It was a moment that showcased Messi's characteristic individual run and finish. It was also his first goal recorded in 2026.
Barcelona SC immediately launched a counterattack. João Rojas's goal brought the match back to even. The momentum seemed to shift, but Messi once again took on the role of resolver.
In added time of the first half, Messi accurately played a long cross-field pass from the right to the opposite side. Hermann Bertellame, who received it, attempted a shot from outside the penalty area, and the ball deflected off a defender and was sucked into the goal. It was Messi's first assist of the season.
The goal also meant a lot to Bertellame. It was his debut goal recorded in his first start wearing an Inter Miami uniform after joining from Monterrey, Mexico, last month for a transfer fee of about $15 million.
Messi left the field early in the second half, substituted for Luis Suárez. It looked as if Inter Miami would secure the win. But a twist occurred in the closing stages of the match.
In the 42nd minute of the second half, David Ayala, who had come on as a substitute, was sent off for a foul, and Barcelona SC, having gained the numerical advantage, immediately produced an equalizer from a close-range shot by Tomás Martínez. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Inter Miami has a record of one win in three matches on this South American preseason tour. After starting with a loss to Alianza Lima in Peru, they defeated Atlético Nacional of Colombia, and on this day they settled for a draw.
Inter Miami, led by coach Javier Mascherano, will finish preparations for the new season after playing a final tune-up against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico. The 2026 Major League Soccer season opener is Feb. 22 at LAFC.
More than the result, the match confirmed Messi's physical condition and senses. Even in preseason, Messi's soccer remains Messi.
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