Messi, Miami to tour South American in preseason

"Miami is set to kick off the friendlies with a visit to Estadio Alejandro Villanueva on Jan. 24 to face Alianza Lima, the second most successful side in Peruvian football history with 25 First Division titles. The Herons will then travel to Colombia a week later to play against Atlético Nacional at Estadio Atanasio Girardot before concluding the tour with a game versus Barcelona de Guayaquil on Feb. 7 at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha."

"Atlético Nacional, commonly referred to as Los Verdolagas, has the most trophies in Colombian soccer with 18 First Division titles, two CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores crowns, and two Copa Interamericana titles, among others. The final game against Barcelona de Guayaquil in Ecuador will mark Inter Miami's first visit to the country, facing off against the team with the most Ecuadorian top-flight league titles at 16."

"Javier Mascherano's team is coming off a historic 2025 season after lifting its first ever MLS Cup with a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium on Dec. 6. Prior to winning MLS Cup, Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup title, and in 2024 lifted the Supporters' Shield and set the record for most points in a single season. Miami star Lionel Messi, who joined the team in the summer of 2023, led the league in goals in 2025 to claim his first MLS Golden Boot and also won the league's MVP award for the second time."

Inter Miami CF will conduct a 2026 preseason tour across South America with friendlies in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador ahead of the MLS campaign. The tour opens Jan. 24 at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva against Alianza Lima, continues a week later versus Atlético Nacional at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, and concludes Feb. 7 against Barcelona de Guayaquil at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha. The Ecuador match will be Inter Miami's first visit to that country. The team returns to Florida to prepare for the MLS opener on Feb. 21 against LAFC. Miami enters 2026 after winning its first MLS Cup in 2025, having also won the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield, with Lionel Messi earning the 2025 Golden Boot and a second league MVP.

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