Messi Scores as Inter Miami Wins Rescheduled Friendly

Inter Miami beats Independiente del Valle 2-1 in Puerto Rico with goals from Morales and Messi.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Inter Miami CF defeated Independiente del Valle 2-1 on Thursday night in a rescheduled preseason friendly match in Puerto Rico. The game was originally postponed after Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury in a previous preseason match. Despite returning to action just 72 hours before facing in-state rivals Orlando City SC, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano played the full squad, giving minutes to players who saw limited time in the season opener. Messi entered the match in the second half and scored from the penalty spot, receiving loud ovations from the crowd every time he touched the ball.

Why it matters

The rescheduled friendly gave Inter Miami an opportunity to get additional playing time for their full roster ahead of their upcoming MLS regular season match against Orlando City SC. Messi's participation and goal-scoring performance was a highlight for the team and their fans.

The details

Inter Miami rescheduled the originally postponed friendly against Independiente del Valle to accommodate Messi's hamstring injury. Despite the quick turnaround, head coach Javier Mascherano opted to play the full squad, giving minutes to players who saw limited time in the season opener against LAFC. Messi entered the match in the second half and scored from the penalty spot, receiving loud ovations from the crowd.

  • The friendly was originally scheduled for February 13 but was postponed after Messi suffered a hamstring injury.
  • The rescheduled match took place on February 26, just 72 hours before Inter Miami's next MLS regular season match against Orlando City SC.

The players

Lionel Messi

Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF.

Javier Mascherano

Head coach of Inter Miami CF.

Santiago Morales

Inter Miami CF player who scored a goal in the match.

Luis Suárez

Inter Miami CF player who started the match.

Rocco Ríos Novo

Inter Miami CF player who started the match.

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What they’re saying

“Hi everyone, I wanted to send this message to the people of Puerto Rico and all the people that will be going to the training session and game. To be honest, during the last game in Ecuador I concluded with a muscle strain, which is why I left the field early. So, together with the people of the organization and Inter Miami it was decided to suspend this game. We hope it can be reprogrammed, and we can see each other. Visit you soon. Sending a hug to you all and thank you for all the love that you always give. I hope we can do it in the future, all the best.”

— Lionel Messi (ESPN)

“This game clearly gives us the opportunity to, first, give minutes to guys who have perhaps had fewer minutes in the preseason and in the last game we played. But yes, we're going to try to give everyone playing time.”

— Javier Mascherano, Head Coach, Inter Miami CF (ESPN)

What’s next

Inter Miami will face in-state rivals Orlando City SC on Sunday, just 72 hours after the rescheduled friendly against Independiente del Valle.

The takeaway

Messi's participation and goal-scoring performance in the rescheduled friendly was a highlight for Inter Miami and their fans, as the team prepares to continue their MLS regular season campaign.