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.

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 over Mexico's Club America in Las Vegas.

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.

With Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and America face off this Saturday in a friendly in Las Vegas: check out the channel guide and how to watch the match via streaming.

Fans can watch Inter Miami take on Club América on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. All of the Herons' preseason matches ahead of the 2025 MLS season will be available to stream on the platform. Those without MLS Season Pass can still catch the match for free on Apple TV as long they have an active Apple TV+ subscription.

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