Lionel Messi made history Saturday night by scoring Inter Miami’s first goal at the club’s new stadium, marking the opening of the long-awaited venue in a 2-2 draw against Austin FC.
Messi’s equalizer came just minutes after Austin stunned the home crowd with an early goal, ensuring the Argentine star would become the first Inter Miami player to score at the new ground. The goal also added to his remarkable career total, pushing him past 900 goals.
The opening match at the 26,000-seat stadium drew a packed crowd and high-profile attendees, including club co-owner David Beckham, who celebrated the milestone moment alongside fans and family.
Austin took the lead in the sixth minute when Guilherme Biro scored with a header, briefly spoiling the celebratory atmosphere. Inter Miami responded quickly, with Messi rising to meet a cross and heading in the equalizer in the 11th minute.
The home side controlled much of the play and created several scoring opportunities, but the match remained level heading into halftime. Austin regained the lead in the second half when substitute Jayden Nelson finished a breakaway chance in the 54th minute.
Inter Miami pushed for another equalizer, with coach Javier Mascherano bringing on veteran forward Luis Suarez. The move paid off when Suarez scored from close range in the 83rd minute to level the match at 2-2.
Suarez appeared to have won the game late with a second goal, but it was disallowed for offside, leaving both teams to share the points.
The match marked Inter Miami’s first game in the city after years of playing in Fort Lauderdale, underscoring a new chapter for the club.
Before kickoff, Beckham addressed supporters and praised Messi’s impact, calling him the greatest player in the history of the sport. The stadium also features a section dedicated to Messi in recognition of his influence on the team.
The new venue is part of a larger development project valued at approximately $1 billion, which includes a hotel, retail space, public parks and community sports facilities. Club officials said the project was privately funded, though public funds were used for nearby road improvements.
The opening drew widespread attention, including from state officials, as fans celebrated the arrival of a permanent home for the team.
Inter Miami will return to action at the stadium next weekend when they host the New York Red Bulls.
Messi’s goal provided a fitting highlight for the stadium’s debut, reinforcing his central role in Inter Miami’s rise in global profile.
The event also represents a significant milestone for soccer in the United States, with the new venue positioning the club as a major presence in the league.
While the result itself was evenly balanced, the occasion carried greater importance, symbolizing both the club’s growth and its long-term ambitions.
The combination of star power, infrastructure investment and fan engagement suggests Inter Miami is entering a new phase as it seeks sustained success on and off the field.
Onefootball/Dailymail
