It was Inter Miami’s first match of the new season, and there had been uncertainty over whether Lionel Messi would be fit to play. The Argentine star suffered a left hamstring injury during a preseason friendly in Ecuador on February 7, raising doubts about his availability for Miami’s opening match in Major League Soccer (MLS).

However, Messi returned to training earlier than expected. Spanish outlet Marca reported that he rejoined team practice on February 18. Ultimately, he started for Miami in their season opener against Los Angeles FC. The match did not go well for Javier Mascherano’s side, as Miami began their campaign with a 3–0 defeat.

On paper, the fixture featured two of the league’s strongest teams and a clash of star players. While Lionel Messi led Miami, Los Angeles lined up with South Korean star Son Heung-min, who ultimately had the better night.

Son set up the opening goal in the 37th minute for David Martínez before being substituted in the 89th minute. Messi, despite playing the full match, struggled to make an impact. He frequently lost possession and appeared out of rhythm. LAFC extended their lead through Denis Bouanga in the 73rd minute and Nathan Ordaz deep into stoppage time.

After halftime, Son could have contributed another goal, but Bouanga failed to convert from his pass. The matchup drew significant interest, with 76,000 spectators filling the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—marking the second-highest attendance in MLS history. Fans were left disappointed late in the first half when Messi missed a clear scoring opportunity.

This was Messi’s first competitive appearance of the year, and Miami’s season began on a disappointing note.