Little over a month on from their MLS Cup triumph, Inter Miami began their 2026 preparations with a 3-0 loss to Alianza Lima on Saturday night.
The first stop on the team’s Preseason Champions Tour took them to Lima to face the 25-time Peruvian champions in a friendly. The Herons are clearly eager to build on last year’s success and they went into Saturday’s game with plenty of intent.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was able to name a strong team, with Lionel Messi and Rodrio de Paul playing alongside new signings Dayne St. Clair and Sergio Reguilón. Up front, Luis Suárez was handed a start for Miami.
But despite all the noise around Miami’s offseason business, it was not the start that Mascherano would have hoped for. Of all the veteran talent on display, it was the hosts’ ageing forward who proved decisive on the night.
Now 42, former Bayern Munich striker Paolo Guerrero scored twice in six minutes to put Alianza in the driving seat at half time. After an hour Suárez, Messi and De Paul were replaced for Miami and substitute Luis Ramos made it safe with a third goal for the hosts. Inter Miami’s 2026 preparations begin with a 3-0 loss.
First sighting of new-look Miami
Speaking earlier this week Mascherano reiterated the need for Inter Miami to “rebuild, season by season” to stay ahead of the chasing pack in MLS. Although the likes of defender Micael and soon-to-be-announced Germán Berterame were not in the Miami team in Lima, there was a first look at some other offseason additions.
Alongside St. Clair and Reguilón there were Miami debuts for midfielder David Ayala and defender Facundo Mura, both of whom joined this month. The latter came on to replace Reguilón after the former Tottenham Hotspur defender picked up a knee injury ten minutes into his first appearance for the club.
But of all the offseason moves, the biggest may prove to be the loss of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Both veteran stars retired after last month’s MLS Cup win and Miami will need time to adjust to life without them
For now, however, Inter Miami will continue with the country-hopping preseason preparations. Next up is a trip to Medellin, Colombia to take on Atlético Nacional.
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cebadimty
1
Good as we lose so that we have to fix the problems that’s why pre season is good
Tocilostyz
2
Messi kept his 1st cleansheet of the year, well done marketing agent 👏
Diarra17
1
It a friendly game, there is no need to play hard plus the world come is just around the corner why push hard for friendly games?
sasaeikopt
0
A 42 year old scored twice while Messi and Suarez with a young Reguilon were useless the whole game.
preseason, read well. Tell Ronaldo to win a trophy in Saudi with all the penalties he score every week
Elijay
0
what about Ronaldo being humiliated by his kids who are playing for al hilal, i can say 42 year old taught messi a lesson because he is older but kids are teaching Ronaldo a lesson
Hritangshu93
0
That's the price of greatness.....when Messi and Ronaldo loses people react like only they played from their team.....but when they win.... it's turns into a team game........stop looking at games in terms of players and grow up.......I am not saying this just for these two......I am saying this for all players
Laybkmpsyz
0
messi 🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮
سردارایوب۔اکاخیل
0
where is messi fans
سردارایوب۔اکاخیل
1
give a balloon d or to the messi
سردارایوب۔اکاخیل
0
his viceroy os just flock
academy1
5
A 42 year old scored twice while Messi and Suarez with a young Reguilon were useless the whole game.