Lionel Messi started 2026 cautiously, not pushing physically to avoid injuries, and with a defeat in his first match of the year. The highlight will be the World Cup, where with Argentina he is expected to defend the reigning champion title won four years ago. In Inter Miami's first pre-season match, Messi was a starter and played 63 minutes against Alianza Lima, who beat Las Garzas 3-0 with a brace from veteran Peruvian forward Paolo Guerrero and another goal from Peruvian striker Luis Ramos. The Argentine star was the main attraction of the Tarde Blanquiazul, with which the La Victoria district team presented itself to its fans for the new season, which will officially begin next week. Messi was part of the starting lineup set by Argentine coach Javier Mascherano and formed an attacking trident with his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul and Uruguayan Luis Suárez. However, the pink team played with caution, not going all out, aware that this was the first pre-season test and it was better to avoid injuries like the one Spanish player Sergio Reguilón suffered in the opening minutes. Despite having freedom of movement, Messi rationed his efforts, and the best chance he had in the entire match was a promising free-kick, one of his masterful executions accumulated throughout his career. Leo opted for a shot over the wall that went just over the crossbar, inches from the goal defended by Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra. After that, he had little more protagonism on the field until he was substituted in the 63rd minute by American Daniel Pinter. This was the second time Messi played in Peru with Inter Miami, having done so last year in pre-season as well against Universitario de Deportes at the Monumental Stadium in Lima. On this occasion, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player debuted at the Alejandro Villanueva stadium, where he had never played in his various visits to Peru, neither with Inter Miami nor with the Argentine national team.
