Messi has officially found his stride with Inter Miami, kickstarting a rigorous pre-season campaign that’s not just about club success, but also serves as a crucial runway towards the FIFA World Cup 2026. His latest performance in South America proved that he’s fully in gear and hungry for more.
Back in the groove: Messi rediscovers dominance in Colombia
Messi’s second match on the South American tour with Inter Miami was nothing short of electric. Facing Colombian giants Atletico Nacional, Messi returned to his classic rhythm and sparked a thrilling 2-1 victory for his team. It wasn’t just about being on the pitch; Messi orchestrated the attack, weaving together opportunities for his teammates and testing defenders with his incisive runs.
A standout moment came late in the first half when Messi launched a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. While the ball thundered off the post, veteran striker Luis Suárez pounced on the rebound to level the score after Juan Rengifo’s opener for the home side. This combination of experience and instinct highlighted the fresh synergy within Inter Miami's ranks.
New faces, new chances: emerging talents and tactical experiments
Once Messi made way for high-profile newcomers like forward Germán Berterame, Inter Miami’s tactical flexibility shone. The winning goal was a stroke of luck and teamwork—a last-minute own goal from Rivero following an energized move involving young starlet Silvetti and new signing Facundo Mura. It was exactly the kind of competitive test Inter Miami needed to gauge the depth of their evolving squad.
With Messi guiding from the pitch and emerging talent seizing their moments, Inter Miami’s pre-season isn’t just about individual brilliance—it's a showcase of team evolution.
Onward: the tour continues and anticipation builds
The South American journey is far from over. Next, Inter Miami heads to Ecuador to face Barcelona SC on February 7, followed by a final pre-season clash with Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico on February 13. All eyes will then turn to the highly anticipated MLS season opener against LAFC on February 22—where the prospect of Messi clashing with the star power of Son Heung-min awaits.
Before the World Cup, Messi will feature in roughly five warm-up matches with Inter Miami. Then, on March 25, he’s set to rejoin the Argentine national team for a pivotal training camp—the first of 2026. This gathering isn’t routine; it is where Argentina will lay the tactical groundwork for their World Cup defense and, tantalizingly, prepare for the “Finalissima” decider against Spain in Qatar just two days later.
Road to World Cup 2026: schedules, surprises, and selection drama
There’s a twist in the road, though. June’s pre-World Cup fixtures—including friendlies against Mexico and Honduras—are likely to be scrapped, as reported by journalist Gaston Edul. Argentina’s preparation timetable is expected to shift, with fresh opponents and plans to be outlined soon.
Some key takeaways on what’s next:
- Final squad of 26 to be announced by coach Lionel Scaloni in late May
- Messi and Argentina’s core stars are being closely consulted in holiday and off-season meetings
- Match against Qatar on March 31 remains uncertain, keeping fans guessing on Messi’s participation