Argentine star Lionel Messi confirmed his readiness for the upcoming World Cup with a stunning goal scored on Saturday night, four months before the start of the tournament.
The Argentine star scored one goal and assisted another for new arrival Germán Bertram, leading Inter Miami to a 2-2 draw with Ecuador’s Barcelona in a friendly match held on Saturday in the capital city of Quito, as part of both teams’ preparations for the new season.
Messi opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 31st minute after a solo run from midfield, dribbling past defenders before firing a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area into the net, scoring his first goal of 2026.
This goal brought back memories of his “extraordinary” goals during his peak years with the Spanish club, and fans of “The Flea” considered it a signature moment confirming his readiness for the next World Cup.
Ecuador’s Barcelona managed to equalize through João Rojas, before Messi restored Inter Miami’s lead by assisting a second goal in first-half stoppage time, successfully converted by Bertram.
The two teams finished the match sharing the points in a friendly that gave both technical staffs an opportunity to assess the players’ readiness before the start of official competitions.
World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament first held in 1930 in Uruguay. Organized by FIFA, it is held every four years and has grown into the world’s most widely viewed sporting event, showcasing global talent and fostering international competition.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His career is most famously associated with FC Barcelona, where he rose from the youth academy to win numerous titles, before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and later Inter Miami in 2023.
Inter Miami
Inter Miami is a professional soccer club based in Miami, Florida, founded in 2018 and co-owned by David Beckham. The club began play in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2020, with its primary aim being to establish a top-tier football presence in South Florida.
Ecuador’s Barcelona
“Ecuador’s Barcelona” refers to the city of Guayaquil, which is home to the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, the stadium of the Barcelona Sporting Club. Founded in 1925, the club is one of Ecuador’s most popular and successful football teams, named in homage to the Spanish FC Barcelona. The club and its stadium are central to the sporting culture of the city and the nation.
Quito
Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca settlement. It is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features numerous churches and colonial architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Spanish club
The Spanish Club, often known as a *peña* or *club social*, is a traditional association found in Spain and Spanish-speaking communities, historically serving as a hub for social gatherings, cultural events, and discussions. These clubs have roots in the 19th and 20th centuries, frequently acting as centers for regional identity, political dialogue, and the preservation of local customs like music and cuisine.
