Lionel Messi finally opened his 2026 scoring account for Inter Miami during a 2-2 draw against Ecuadorian team Barcelona SC in their South America tour finale at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha. The draw marked the end of Inter Miami’s pre-season South American fixtures, highlighted by Messi’s spectacular goal that ended a brief scoring drought.
Before traveling to Ecuador, Messi had not scored in his two earlier pre-season games for Inter Miami under coach Javier Mascherano, despite playing a leading role. That changed when Messi received a pass from teammate Ian Fray just after the 30-minute mark and launched into a weaving run past multiple defenders. The 38-year-old then entered the penalty area and delivered a precise shot that found the top corner, sparking applause from the crowd.
Key Moments in Miami’s South America Tour and Messi’s Impact
Messi continued to influence the match by assisting new signing German Berterame, who scored to put Inter Miami ahead again during the second half. This marked Berterame’s first start for the club, with his goal coming from a cross-field pass by Messi that allowed the Mexican forward to finish with his left foot. Messi left the field shortly before the hour mark and was replaced by Luis Suarez, who had scored in a previous win over Colombia’s Atletico Nacional.
The game saw an intense finish when Inter Miami’s newcomer David Ayala received a straight red card in the 87th minute for a serious foul on Ecuadorian forward Dario Benedetto. Despite playing with a man disadvantage, Barcelona SC quickly capitalized, with Tomas Martinez scoring an equalizer in the final minutes, securing a 2-2 result.
Looking Ahead: Inter Miami’s Upcoming MLS Season and Champions Cup
Following their South America tour, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are preparing for the new Major League Soccer season, which begins on February 21st with a match against Los Angeles FC. The club will also participate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup starting March 11th, aiming to build on their league success from 2025. Messi’s return to goal-scoring form ahead of these competitions boosts the team’s prospects as they seek major honors in the upcoming season.
Golazo de Leo 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/8p8wbvNCXc
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 8, 2026
