Lionel Messi concluded the 2025 season by lifting the MLS Cupwhich yields the most important trophy InterMiami‘s young history after a long and demanding campaign. While he is currently on holiday, the Argentinian star’s return date has now been revealed. as one of the opponents of Inter Miami’s South American tour has released tickets for the upcoming friendly match.
InterMiami‘s opening match of the MLS is back weekend is scheduled for February 21when the herons come to visit Son Heung-min’s LAFC in a selection frame. Before that, Messi and company will embark on a South American preseason tour, with preparations set to begin during one of the newly announced matches.
On Monday, Alianza Lima announced a friendly match against Inter Miami will be played in Peru at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium. Messi will return to the field in 2026 on Saturday, January 24marking his first appearance of the year in the opening match of the club’s South American tour.
With kick-off scheduled for 8:00 PM local time, Alianza Lima confirmed that 7,000 tickets have already been soldwith additional seating now available to the public. The stadium, that one capacity of 33,938is expected to host a strong crowd eager to see the reigning MLS Cup champions back in action.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami against Club Universitario at Estadio Monumental.
Inter Miami previously visited Peru in January 2025, when they faced Universitario on January 29 during the Americas Preseason Tour. That match ended in a 0–0 draw before the Herons secured a 5–4 victory in a penalty shootout in a packed Lima’s Monumental Stadium, which could hold more than 80,000 fans, significantly larger than the venue for the upcoming match.
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Ahead of the 2025 season, Inter Miami’s first friendly match took place on January 19when they faced Liga MX powerhouse Club América in Las Vegas and won again on penalties. This time, Messi’s return in 2026 will take place on January 24, a few days later than the year before, after the postseason was extended with the MLS Cup victory.
What are Inter Miami’s 2026 preseason friendlies?
Similar to last year’s move to limit long-distance travel, Inter Miami will maintain its preseason schedule within the regionwhich opened the tour against Alianza Lima. However, the Peruvian club will not be the only South American opponent on the schedule.
After the January 24 opener, Messi’s side will travel to Colombia will face Atlético Nacional de Medellín at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in front of more than 40,000 fans on Saturday, January 31. A week later Inter Miami meets Barcelona Sporting Club in Ecuador at Estadio Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil, a venue with a capacity of almost 60,000 spectators.
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