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.

Inter Miami will face reigning Liga MX champion Club América at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Here's everything you need to know.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kick off their 2025 preseason against the reigning Liga MX champions, Club América.

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.

Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet Saturday as Inter Miami opened their pre-season campaign with a penalty shoot-out victory

André Jardine went with a strong lineup for the clash in Nevada, featuring Henry Martín up top, Luis Malagón in goal, and Álvaro Fidalgo pulling the strings in midfield. Of the starting XI, only Erick Sánchez had been part of Las Águilas’ squad in their Liga MX Apertura final against Monterrey last month.

Inter Miami are set to bolster their squad with a new signing in the MLS transfer market, this time a defensive recruit. 27-year-old center-back Maximiliano Falcon from Colo Colo is the latest addition to address Miami‘s defensive issues.

When Inter Miami open their preseason tour against Club América in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi. Two months after Inter Miami crashed out of the MLS Cup playoffs, the Herons are back in action ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.