Live Updates: Lionel Messi Shines with Goal as Inter Miami Faces Club América|
This electrifying preseason friendly is going to be the launch for Miami under new coach Javier Mascherano, setting up a team looking to bounce back from a mixed 2024 season. Herons took the MLS Supporters’ Shield as regular-season champions but faltered in the playoffs after showing vulnerability at the back, even though the likes of Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba were there.
With the MLS regular-season schedule to kickoff on February 22 and a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Sporting Kansas City a month away, this three-time Liga MX champion Club América encounter will be an important barometer to fine-tune preparations for a season of non-stop activity.
Live Updates: Important Moments
- Toto Avilés Ties It Late: Toto Avilés equalized the match with a dramatic header off a Julian Gressel corner in the 92nd minute, sending the game into penalty kicks at 2-2.
- Israel Reyes Strikes Back: Club América regained the lead in the 52nd minute as Israel Reyes snatched a defensive mistake from Inter Miami.
- Messi Ties the Game: Lionel Messi headed a ball in the 34th minute to tie the game at 1-1, after Club América had marked an early score in the game with a goal by Henry Martín.
- Henry Martín Opens the Scoring: The Opener was from Henry Martín who made a conversion from a Brian Rodríguez pass at 22′ in what ended being a very interesting game.
- Date: Saturday, January 18.
- Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT -end –
- Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada – Streaming: Apple TV
Inter Miami 2024 Season Summary
Inter Miami had their very best 2024, earning the Supporters’ Shield with a league record of 74 points and Lionel Messi the Most Valuable Player. Despite topping the league, the team was also fighting critical defeats in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Leagues Cup, and playoffs for MLS.
Messy’s Future with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi will remain with Inter Miami through the 2025 season of MLS based on his current contract. In his 37 years, Lionel Messi has a career record of 34 goals and 18 assists in 39 appearances, which indicates how big an impact he has on the team. However, he was relatively unavailable due to injuries and international engagements most of the time. He is in talks with the club since it now possesses a new stadium called Freedom Park, and will also be the venue of the 2026 World Cup. Thus, it desperately needs to hold onto Messi in Miami.
What Inter Miami is Planned To Bring for?
Club América will come next when Herons take the field on January 29 against Peruvian champions Club Universitario in Lima. Then they host Sporting San Miguelito on February 2 at Panama City before getting themselves in shape for that challenging 2025 season.
More updates from the Inter Miami preseason featuring Messi and co in their quest for history again:.
