Lionel Messi achieved his first victory of 2026.

Inter Miami recorded their initial preseason triumph by overturning a deficit to beat Atletico Nacional 2-1 in Colombia, with Lionel Messi and the squad standing out.

In their second preseason friendly, Inter Miami staged a comeback to win 2-1 against Atletico Nacional on Colombian ground, in a thrilling match that extended into the final stoppage time.

At the start of the game, the home team Atletico Nacional took control. The Colombian side pressed high, dominated possession, and continuously pressured Inter Miami’s defense. After several missed chances, Juan Manuel Rengifo capitalized with a beautiful long-range shot outside the box, putting Atletico Nacional ahead in the first half.

In the second half, the situation shifted significantly as Atletico Nacional made multiple substitutions. Taking advantage of the opponent’s lineup changes, Inter Miami gradually regained ball control under the leadership of Lionel Messi. After numerous attacking efforts, the visitors finally equalized through Luis Suarez, bringing the match back to level terms.

The drama intensified in the closing minutes. In a defensive mishap, Rivero of Atletico Nacional scored an own goal, gifting Inter Miami the decisive goal. This moment sealed the impressive comeback of the MLS representatives, while somewhat alleviating the disappointment of their 0-3 defeat against Alianza Lima in Peru on January 25th.

Regarding personnel, coach Javier Mascherano continued using the match to experiment with the lineup. German Berterame was introduced in the second half replacing Luis Suarez, while Micael also made his debut in defense. These adjustments indicate Inter Miami’s active efforts to refine their core squad ahead of the new season.