Lionel Messi back with goals and new celebration! WATCH Inter Miami superstar’s teasing celebration against Club America

Lionel Messi has now scored in 21 consecutive years.

Lionel Messi scored the first goal for Inter Miami in 2025 during the preseason encounter against Club America in Las Vegas late Saturday night. The MLS Club secured a 3-2 win in the penalty shootout at Allegiant Stadium.

The reigning MLS MVP entered the preseason game with a new haircut and played 66 minutes against the Mexican champion. Henry Martin’s strike helped Club America to take a 1-0 lead at the 31-minute mark but Messi replied back with an equalizer three minutes later. Watch the moment unfold here:

CABEZAZO DEL MEJOR FUTBOLISTA DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS 🐐✨ pic.twitter.com/S8ndmdrUzA
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 19, 2025

Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba’s well-executed team play helped Lionel Messi score Miami’s first goal of the season. Suarez helped Messi to get a pass and the Argentine sent it wide to Alba, who crossed it back to Suarez. The Uruguay international took the pass in the air and fed it to Messi for the header.

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Messi’s celebration fuels rivalry between Argentines and Mexicans

Lionel Messi made a gesture towards fans suggesting that Argentina have three World Cup trophies while Mexico have none. This celebration fueled the tense rivalry between Argentina and Mexico. Fans from both countries sparked a debate around social media.

The tense soccer rivalry between Argentina and Mexico has been a one-sided affair. The Albiceleste had great dominance over their Mexican counterparts. Mexico have beaten Argentina only five times out of 36, with 13 matches ending in a draw.

Both countries locked horns in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in a group-stage clash and the encounter against Mexico became a do-die affair. Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández were on the scoresheet in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico. Messi and Co. went on to lift the trophy in Qatar after beating France in the final.

Miami survived in Las Vegas through penalty shootout

Inter Miami’s starting XI included nine regular starters from last season’s team that won the Supporters’ Shield. Both clubs remained tied 1-1 at halftime. The Mexican club regained the lead in the 52nd minute through Reyes.

Inter Miami were heading towards a 2-1 defeat but Aviles appeared with a tremendous header to level the score in injury-time. The Herons held the nerves in the shootout and won it 3-2.

Dream debut! ⚽️💥 Santiago Morales, our homegrown talent, scores the winning goal in his FIRST match with the Senior Team! 💗🖤 pic.twitter.com/RD5pQRIsN4
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 19, 2025

It was a special moment for the 17-year-old Santiago Morales who won it for Inter Miami in the penalty shootout on his debut with his dad serving as assistant coach. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi also set a record on Saturday night as the Argentine scored a goal for the 21 consecutive years.

Messi and Co. will now head to Florida to prepare for the next games on their “Americas Tour”. Miami have preseason matches in Peru, Panama and Honduras and end the preseason against Orlando City in Tampa on Feb. 14.

Inter Miami

Lionel Messi

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Santiago Morales

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.