Lionel Messi scores against Barcelona for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami side are ramping up their preparations for the 2026 MLS season. The club from Florida begin their MLS season on 22 February against LAFC away from home.

Javier Mascherano, who is the manager of Miami, helped guide the club to their first-ever MLS Cup victory last season, as they won 3-1 against Vancouver Whitecaps in the final.

Miami have played three pre-season games to date, winning one, drawing one and losing one. Their most recent game was against Barcelona, but not the club from Spain, the one from Ecuador. Barcelona SC finished third in Ecuador's Liga Pro in 2025. The club that finished top of the league, Independiente del Valle, take on Inter Miami in the US side's final pre-season game.

Against Barcelona SC, Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 31st minute, which was his first goal in five. 10 minutes later, Barcelona brought the game level, and the home team players were hoping to secure a win from behind.

However, in the third minute of additional time, Miami took the lead through Mexican forward German Berterame, who joined the club this year from Monterrey.

Midfielder David Ayala was sent off for Inter Miami in the 87th minute, and Tomas Martinex levelled the scoring for the Ecuadorian side less than a minute after the dismissal of the away player.

The full-time result was 2-2, as both teams edge closer to their opening day matches.

While Messi scored against Barcelona, it was not the Barcelona he used to play for...