Inter Miami rounds into form, comes back to win in Colombia

Lionel Messi made his first trip to Medellin in 15 years, and the visit came with plenty of spectacle and an Inter Miami win.

Inter Miami picked up its first victory of the 2026 preseason on a rainy Saturday evening at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, coming from behind to pick up a 2-1 triumph over Colombian powerhouse Atletico Nacional.

Luis Suarez sparked the comeback in the 55th minute, then a stoppage time own goal from Elkin Rivero lifted Inter Miami past the hosts in the friendly. Two recent signings made their unofficial debuts for the MLS team, with forward German Berterame and centerback Micael appearing off the bench in the second half.

“The team was much more recognizable as to who we are,” Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said. “You could also tell that we had another week working on things together. Today we competed well.

“We still have much to improve on, but for large spells of the game we had the control and good play against a talented opponent.”

The game’s opening goal came in the 25th minute when Atletico Nacional midfielder Juan Rengifo uncorked a shot that soared past Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair at full stretch.

Messi and Inter Miami struggled to generate many clear-cut chances during the opening half, with the Argentine superstar coming closest to an equalizer with a driven shot to the bottom right corner that Atletico Nacional goalkeeper David Ospina pushed wide.

Things improved for Inter Miami as it tied the score 10 minutes into the second half.

A poor turnover from backup Atletico Nacional goalkeeper Harlen Castillo allowed the Herons to hit quickly in transition. Messi then clanked a low shot off the left post before it rebounded to an open Suarez for the tap-in finish.

“We grew into the game little by little,” Inter Miami winger Mateo Silvetti said. “We started finding the spaces and the game. I think we had more possession today than we did in the last game. Little by little we will continue getting better.”

The decisive goal came as David Ruiz played a 91st-minute square ball to Santiago Morales that ended up ricocheting off Rivero before looping into the back of the net past a rooted Castillo.

Messi played 75 minutes in the win that had celebrities such as Colombian music artist Maluma in attendance. The Inter Miami captain was serenaded by Colombian fans who chanted his name throughout despite passionately rooting for the home side.

His arrival to the team hotel a night earlier prompted chaotic-but-euphoric scenes from droves of fervent supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of him on the team bus. Some fans even broke through perimeters, including bringing down a temporary fence, to watch as Messi waved back at them from the back of the vehicle.

“He’s No. 1 in the world,” Atletico Nacional striker Alfredo Morelos said. “We know what he generates in our people here in Colombia. Wherever he goes, it will be the same thing.

“It was a privilege to have him here, and thankfully we were able to face him because it will help us grow as players and as a club.”

Latest Inter Miami signing Berterame — who was surprisingly announced as being with the team in Colombia hours before kickoff — entered the game in the 59th minute in place of Suarez. Brazilian centerback Micael entered in the 75th.

“German had been physically active training and playing [with previous team Monterrey] up until this week, and that allowed us the possibility of having him for some minutes,” Mascherano said. “Micael arrived 2-3 days ago. He only had two training sessions with us, but we think it’s important to have him play as much as we can so that his adaptation is quicker.”

Mascherano made changes to the starting lineup that had been deployed a week prior in Peru in the 3-0 loss against Alianza Lima.

Noah Allen slid over from centerback to left back to cover for the injured Sergio Reguilon while Facundo Mura started at right back. Ian Fray and Maximiliano “Peluca” Falcon made up the centerback pairing.

Elsewhere, midfielder David Ayala got the nod ahead of Yannick Bright.

Messi and Inter Miami will continue their preseason tour next Saturday by visiting Ecuador to square off against Barcelona de Guayaquil at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha.

“We are taking advantage of having games like this that allow us to test ourselves and start competing again,” Silvetti said. “These opponents are super competitive and serve us in our process to get ready for the start of the season.”

This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 11:08 PM.