Messi and Inter Miami Tie New York Red Bulls 2-2

Lionel Messi scored a goal and assisted another, but a late equalizer from Adri Mehmeti earned the Red Bulls a point.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:19am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the soccer match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls, with the players' movements and the ball's trajectory represented through bold, angular shapes in a vibrant color palette.A cubist interpretation of the dramatic clash between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and the young New York Red Bulls, capturing the energy and intensity of the match.NYC Today

In a thrilling match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls, Lionel Messi made his mark with a goal and an assist, but a late strike from Adri Mehmeti secured a 2-2 draw for the Red Bulls. Messi's playmaking helped set up Germán Berterame's go-ahead goal in the second half, but Mehmeti's first MLS goal in the 77th minute ensured the teams shared the points.

Why it matters

The match showcased Messi's continued impact in MLS, as the superstar forward played a key role in Inter Miami's offensive efforts. However, the Red Bulls' resilience and Mehmeti's late heroics demonstrated the competitive nature of the league, where no lead is safe against determined opponents.

The details

Messi opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the first half, but Jorge Ruvalcaba equalized for the Red Bulls. In the second half, Messi's clever pass set up Berterame's goal to give Inter Miami the lead. However, 18-year-old Mehmeti came off the bench to score the late equalizer and earn a point for the Red Bulls.

  • Messi scored two goals for Barcelona in a Champions League match on April 8, 2009, two days after Adri Mehmeti was born.
  • The match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls took place on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Lionel Messi

The legendary Argentine forward who recently joined Inter Miami and is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Adri Mehmeti

A 17-year-old forward for the New York Red Bulls who scored the late equalizing goal in the match.

Germán Berterame

An Inter Miami player who scored the go-ahead goal in the second half, assisted by Messi.

Jorge Ruvalcaba

A New York Red Bulls player who scored the team's first goal to equalize in the match.

Ethan Horvath

The goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls who made a save on a late free kick attempt by Messi.

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What’s next

The two teams will meet again on May 10, 2026 in a rematch at Red Bull Arena.

The takeaway

Messi's arrival in MLS has brought increased attention and excitement to the league, but this match showed the depth of talent across the league, with young players like Mehmeti stepping up to earn important points for their teams.