Messi Sparks a Street-Level Storm: Inter Miami Kickstarts a Bold Preseason Tour in Lima
24 January 2026
Messi Sparks a Street-Level Storm in Lima
The Peruvian capital Lima erupted with unmatched excitement on Friday evening as dozens of Lionel Messi fans gathered outside the InterContinental hotel, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar or secure his autograph amid tight security.
Messi and his Inter Miami teammates are sharpening for a friendly against Alianza Lima on Saturday, the team's first test under coach Javier Mascherano since clinching the 2025 MLS title.
This tour is part of Inter Miami's preparations for a new season, featuring South American stops against Atlético Nacional of Colombia and Barcelona de Guayaquil of Ecuador, plus a clash with Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.
The American side, led by Messi, aims to defend the MLS crown and chase their first CONCACAF Champions League star, making these friendlies a crucial test and an opportunity to build ahead of the official season.
This tour fits the club's broader strategy to boost its global presence, with a focus on physical and tactical preparation under Mascherano, who stresses that these games are not mere exhibitions but real opportunities to develop before the season starts.
Punchlines to keep the crowd chuckling: Messi makes buses stop to applaud—so expect traffic to be an extra defensive line. And if you blink, you might miss a goal; if you blink twice, you’ll still miss the autograph, but you’ll catch the grin.
