Inter Miami held Ecuador's Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in a friendly match held on Saturday night at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a remarkable goal that received enthusiastic applause from the crowd. His performance also included involvement in the team's second goal, showcasing his skills and importance to the team ahead of the upcoming Major League Soccer (MLS) season.

The match was part of Inter Miami's pre-season tour, with the team, coached by Javier Mascherano, aiming to prepare for the new MLS season after a mixed bag of results in previous friendlies. The team entered the matchup following a loss to Alianza Lima in Peru and a win over Millonarios in Bogotá. The game marked a crucial opportunity for players to refine their skills and build chemistry on the pitch, particularly with Messi as a focal point of the attack.

While the match was primarily a friendly, Messi's contributions not only thrilled fans but also raised expectations for Inter Miami's performance in the upcoming season. This appearance in Ecuador emphasized the growing appeal of Major League Soccer internationally and highlighted the significant influence of star players like Messi in enhancing the league's reputation abroad.