Lionel Messi returned to the starting lineup for Inter Miami in a 1-1 home draw against his Argentine boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys. It was an emotional match for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who grew up supporting Old Boys and played for them from 1995 to 2000 before moving to Barcelona. Messi was substituted in the 60th minute by 22-year-old American Lawson Sunderland, who electrified the home fans ahead of the 2024 MLS season, which begins next week.
After fighting through a groin injury that kept him out of a friendly in Hong Kong earlier this month, the 36-year-old forward—who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title—returned to Miami’s starting lineup.
Messi returned to the starting lineup for the MLS club’s last preseason game after coming off the bench in a later Inter Miami match in Japan.
Shanyder Borgelin’s strike in the 64th minute gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead following a goalless first half.
The 22-year-old Haitian attacker jumped high over a defender to head home a beautiful corner kick from Finnish midfielder Robert Taylor. In the 83rd minute, Newell’s equalized as Argentine midfielder Franco Martin Diaz sent a shot into the bottom right corner from the centre of the box.
On Wednesday, Inter Miami will host Real Salt Lake in the MLS regular-season opener.