Lionel Messi’s ties with the name “Barcelona” are woven with memories and emotion. In 2026, he chose that very name for his first goal of the year—but it was not the Spanish giants of La Liga. Instead, Messi scored against Ecuador’s Barcelona Sporting Club, netting a brilliant goal in Inter Miami’s 2–2 pre-season draw. Although he shone individually, his efforts could not secure a victory for the team.
Barcelona Sporting Club, based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, competes in the country’s top-flight Serie A. The club carries a proud heritage, being the only Ecuadorian side never to have been relegated to the second division—a distinction shared with Spain’s FC Barcelona, though the latter is not unique in La Liga. Messi’s choice of opponent for his first goal of 2026, therefore, had symbolic resonance.
The Argentine superstar had played two pre-season friendlies earlier this year but had failed to score. That drought ended on Sunday morning, as Messi opened the scoring in a match that formed part of Inter Miami’s highly publicised “Champions Tour.”
The goal itself was a reminder of Messi at his golden best. Receiving the ball near midfield, he drove forward, eluding two defenders before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike into the net, putting Inter Miami 1–0 ahead. For the team, the goal offered some relief after a heavy 3–0 defeat to Alianza Lima and a 2–1 win over Atlético Nacional, in which Messi did not score.
However, Inter Miami could not maintain their lead. Before half-time, the hosts equalised in the 41st minute when João Rojas converted a header from Johan García’s cross, making it 1–1. Just before the interval, the Americans regained the lead through a goal by new signing German Berterame, assisted by Messi, taking the score to 2–1.
Despite the promising first half, Inter Miami could not hold on. The second half saw Barcelona Sporting Club level the match, with the game ending 2–2.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will commence their 2026 MLS season on 22 February, hosting LAFC in what promises to be an eagerly anticipated encounter.
Match Summary: Inter Miami vs Barcelona SC (Pre-Season Friendly)
| Team | Goals Scored | Goal Scorers | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 2 | Lionel Messi (1), German Berterame (1) | Messi opened scoring; Berterame’s goal assisted by Messi |
| Barcelona SC | 2 | Joao Rojas (1), Unnamed (1) | Equalised twice; first goal from Johan García cross |
Messi’s first goal of 2026, against a club carrying the Barcelona name, was a symbolic reminder of his storied career while underlining Inter Miami’s ambitions ahead of the new MLS season.