If Messi needed a stage to prove his connection with former teammates still worked, he found it. At the 34th minute, Jordi Alba delivered a pinpoint cross to Luis Suárez, who showed his class with a perfect assist for Messi.

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.

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.