Messi and Inter Miami Tie Red Bulls After 17-Year-Old's Late Goal

Adri Mehmeti scores his first MLS goal to pull the Red Bulls even with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:13pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a soccer match, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the players, ball, and field of play.Messi's star power and Mehmeti's youthful talent collide in a thrilling MLS draw.Today in Miami

Lionel Messi scored a goal and assisted on another to give Inter Miami a late 2-1 lead, but 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti equalized in the 77th minute to earn the New York Red Bulls a 2-2 draw against the defending MLS Cup champions.

Why it matters

The matchup between Messi's star power and the young talent of Mehmeti highlighted the generational shift happening in MLS, as the league continues to attract global superstars while also developing promising homegrown players.

The details

Messi set up Germán Berterame's go-ahead goal in the 55th minute to give Inter Miami a 2-1 lead, but Mehmeti scored his first career MLS goal in the 77th minute to pull the Red Bulls even. Both teams had goals waved off by offside calls in the second half, and Messi nearly won it for Inter Miami with a free kick in stoppage time that was saved by Red Bulls goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

  • Messi scored two goals for Barcelona on April 8, 2009, two days after Adri Mehmeti was born.
  • The match was played on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Lionel Messi

Legendary Argentine forward who joined Inter Miami in 2023 and led the team to the MLS Cup championship in 2025.

Adri Mehmeti

17-year-old forward for the New York Red Bulls who scored the late equalizing goal against Inter Miami.

Germán Berterame

Inter Miami forward who scored the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, assisted by Lionel Messi.

Ethan Horvath

Goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls who made a key save on a late free kick by Lionel Messi.

Jorge Ruvalcaba

New York Red Bulls midfielder who scored the team's first goal to give them an early 1-0 lead.

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What they’re saying

“Only 17 years later, they both had a say in the outcome for their teams on Saturday night.”

— Tim Reynolds, Author

What’s next

The draw leaves Inter Miami unbeaten in its last six MLS matches, while the Red Bulls have just one win in their last five. The two teams will meet again on June 1 in New York.

The takeaway

This match showcased the exciting blend of global superstars and rising young talent that is defining the current era of MLS, as Lionel Messi's experience and skill were matched by the youthful exuberance and game-changing ability of 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti.