Messi Shines as Inter Miami Leads Barcelona SC in Pre-Season Friendly
In a captivating pre-season friendly held on February 8, 2026, Inter Miami CF faced off against Ecuador’s Barcelona SC at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. This match is part of the prestigious 2026 Champions Tour and drew nearly 60,000 fans eager to witness Lionel Messi in action.
Messi’s Stellar Performance
Lionel Messi, the captain of Inter Miami and a celebrated figure in football, delivered an impressive performance. He opened the scoring with a remarkable left-footed goal and provided an assist for Germán Berterame just before halftime. Messi’s contributions helped Inter Miami secure a 2-1 victory over the Ecuadorian club.
Match Highlights
- First Goal: Messi scored in the 37th minute with a stunning shot.
- Equalizer: Joao Rojas leveled the match for Barcelona SC in the 45+3 minute.
- Final Score: Inter Miami 2 – 1 Barcelona SC.
Key Players and Substitutions
Alongside Messi, Luis Suarez also took the field for Inter Miami, marking his impressive entry into the match. The coaching staff made several substitutions during the match, including:
- Facundo Mura for Ian Fray
- Gonzalo Luján for Micael
- Willian Vargas for Bryan Carabalí
- Tomás Martínez for Joao Rojas
- Jonnathan Mina for Jonathan Perlaza
- Jhonny Quiñónez for Jandry Gómez
Match Overview
Both teams displayed competitive spirit during the match. Barcelona SC threatened early, but Inter Miami quickly found their rhythm. Messi’s playmaking ability shone, creating numerous chances and proving pivotal in the victory.
Upcoming Expectations
As the reigning MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami aims to build on this momentum in preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2026. Fans are excited to see what lies ahead for their team, especially with stars like Messi and Suarez leading the charge.
This engaging pre-season friendly not only highlighted Messi’s brilliance but also set the stage for a thrilling soccer season ahead.
