Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami Set for South American Preseason Tour in Early 2026

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Dec 11, 2025 2:04 PM ET

Last weekend, Inter Miami won the MLS Cup for the first time and reached the goal the club has been aiming for since bringing in Lionel Messi. The next objective for the Herons will be to defend their title and make more history next year.

Inter Miami will play against LAFC for their first match of the 2026 MLS season in February. With Messi and the rest of the Inter Miami players done for the rest of 2025, the club has set up friendly matches for the team to prepare for the new season.

Earlier this year, Inter Miami played multiple friendly matches to prepare for this successful season.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrate with his teammates for group photos with MLS Cup trophy after defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Inter Miami played in the United States for friendly matches against Orlando City and Club América from Mexico.

The Herons also played in Peru against Universitario de Deportes, in Panama against Sporting San Miguelito, and in Honduras against CD Olimpia.

For early 2026, Inter Miami will play two South American clubs, and the MLS champions will be the away team for both matches.

Inter Miami's Friendly Matches in 2026

Inter Miami will begin their preparation for the 2026 MLS season in January, and the champions are set to play in Colombia and Ecuador.

The MLS champions are set to play against Atlético Nacional in Medellín, Colombia, at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium on January 31, 2026. Then the Herons will travel to Guayaquil, Ecuador, at the Banco Pichincha Monumental Stadium to play against Barcelona SC.

The friendly matches against Atlético Nacional and Barcelona SC are called 'The Historic Match,' and it was announced yesterday. It will be the first time Messi plays against a Colombian club.

Inter Miami is also set to play against Alianza Lima on January 24, 2026, at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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