Lionel Messi scored a goal and made his presence known throughout the first half as Inter Miami beat Mexican superpower Club America 3-2 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 2-2 deadlock in regulation on Saturday night.

Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet Saturday as Inter Miami opened their pre-season campaign with a penalty shoot-out victory over Mexico's Club America in Las Vegas.

Lionel Messi scored a goal, and Inter Miami outlasted the Mexican champions, Club América, in a preseason clash in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The match against America is the first of five preseason dates for Inter Miami on its “Americas Tour”. The team will play games in Peru, Panama and Honduras over the next few weeks and end the tour in Tampa against Orlando City on Valentine’s Day.

Argentina captain Messi was the MLS’ top scorer in 2024 despite an injury-hit year. The Herons want to learn from past mistakes.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has highlighted the need for reinforcements, expressing concern about the team's reduced squad size following several player departures ahead of a busy 2025 season.

Inter Miami may have only been back in preseason play for about five days or so but Lionel Messi didn't need long to score his first goal of 2025 facing Club America in Las Vegas or to show off a unique celebration.

Lionel Messi scored a goal and made his presence known throughout the first half as Inter Miami beat Mexican superpower Club America 3-2 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 2-2 deadlock in regulation on Saturday night.

Lionel Messi is sporting a new haircut this preseason, but otherwise, looked very much like the dangerous reigning MLS MVP as he scored the first Inter Miami goal of 2025 and played 66 minutes in a win against Mexican champion Club America in Las Vegas late Saturday night.