JAKARTA - Lionel Messi only needed 10 minutes to score the first goal for Inter Miami at their long-awaited new stadium, in front of a stand that bears his name, as his team drew 2-2 against Austin FC on Sunday, April 5, 2026 WIB.
Messi did not score the first goal at the Nu Stadium, but the honor was given to defender Austin, Guilherme Biro. However, the Argentine megastar immediately showed his ability, scoring a header four minutes after Biro's goal.
Austin, who also had two goal-bound chances and had a strong penalty opportunity but was denied in the first half, looked set to spoil the party when they scored again early in the second half.
In a rare sight, Messi lost the ball on the edge of the opponent's penalty box and just over 10 seconds later Austin managed to score against Inter Miami through Jayden Nelson.
Messi looked desperate to make amends when Inter Miami increased the pressure on Austin, but after some beautiful footwork, his effort was saved by goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
However, it was another South American star who ensured that what Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano called a dream day did not end on a sour note.
With nine minutes of normal time remaining and just minutes after Mascherano brought him on as a substitute, the 39-year-old Luis Suarez scored with a volley from close range after a corner.
However, Messi almost gave the perfect ending to the fans who watched in the newly inaugurated Leo Messi stand and around the 26,700-capacity stadium, only to see one of his signature free kicks hit the crossbar in the final minutes.
Inter Miami are now unbeaten in their last five Major League Soccer (MLS) games and Austin are now without a win in their last four.
"It's a spectacular stadium, obviously world class. The crowd was incredible, the place was really packed," Mascherano said after the game.
The match was Inter Miami's first home game since winning the MLS Cup last season and their first in Miami after more than six years of calling Fort Lauderdale home.
For one of Inter Miami's owners, David Beckham, the wait is even longer. In 2013, Beckham chose Miami as the place for his team, part of a deal that brought him to MLS with LA Galaxy six years earlier.
The league inaugurated it in 2014 when he officially exercised an option for an expansion franchise.
"When I came to the United States and the MLS 20 years ago, my dream was to win championships, help improve the game of football that I love so much, and build my own team."
"Thirteen years ago, I announced Miami as my choice. We had no name. We had no fans."
"We don't have a stadium. Today, I'm standing in our new home. We are MLS champions. We have the best players in the history of football playing in Miami. Dreams really can come true," Beckham said ahead of the match against Austin.
When Messi entered the field for warm-up, most of the seats were already filled. Beckham and other members of the Inter Miami ownership group came out to give the fans a standing ovation moments earlier.
They even mingled with some of the most diehard supporters behind one goal. It was a spectacle, with pink light sticks waved in the stands and music icon Marc Anthony performing The Star-Spangled Banner.
Another legend in the stands was Brazil's World Cup winner Ronaldo - Beckham's former teammate at Real Madrid.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber was in attendance at the unveiling of Miami Freedom Park, a complex whose construction is still underway and required a temporary approval from city officials in order for the match to take place last weekend.
"We've committed to him that he'll have the option to retain the team. He exercised that option in Miami."
"It's been a journey. That journey, in many ways, doesn't end when Leo Messi joins the club. That journey really reaches its peak today with the opening of this building," said Garber.
Beckham's popularity level started it all. Messi took the team to the global stage. Other teams will now try to copy him - including Austin, which has actor and producer Matthew McConaughey as part of its group of owners.
McConaughey wrote a sort of open letter to Beckham on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
"As Austin visits Miami today to have a little fun on your new court, first I want to say a sincere thank you."
"You don't create football in the United States, but you really elevate it. When you come to the Galaxy, you give MLS new legitimacy."
"You're turning the game into an event. Basically turning the MLS from a proving ground into a premier destination. Thank you," McConaughey wrote.
MLS gave Inter Miami a few away games to start the season, giving the team time to more closely complete the construction. They have not reached the peak they achieved when lifting their first MLS championship trophy at the end of last year.
Mascherano said the team's performance in the first half was very disappointing after the victory at New York City FC in the match before meeting Austin.
"We leave with a feeling of disappointment, feeling we deserved more, especially considering we created 18 chances to score."
"However, football is not like pressing a button. You can't just turn yourself on whenever you want and then turn yourself off easily."
"It's not the way. We can't waste the first half like we did today."
"So, the feeling is bitter, the feeling is sad, because I feel that after the strong performance we gave in New York, today we take a step back," said Mascherano.
Inter Miami will return to their new home in a week to face the New York Red Bulls.
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