Salah & Szoboszlai run rings around City in champion display

Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Magical Modric inspires Madrid on Mbappe off-day

KDB looks done! Captain leads City flops in Liverpool loss

Editors' Picks

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

‘Not a foul!’ – Officials bemuse bloodied Barca star Yamal

Rashford's impact at Villa hailed by Asensio & Tielemans

Young quotes Mourinho as he reacts to overturned penalty decision

Fabregas outwits Conte! Como stun Napoli to dent title hopes

<ul><li>Inter Miami faced Club Universitario de Deportes</li><li>Peruvian fans surrounded the team bus to see Messi</li><li>The Herons won 5-4 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

80,000 Peruvian fans in awe of Lionel Messi during Inter Miami's preseason clash against Club Universitario de Deportes

CONCACAF Champions Cup

Inter Miami CF

Sporting Kansas City

<p>Inter Miami continued their preseason tour across Latin America and following a tense 2-2 (3-2 on penalties) win over Club America, they had Club Universitario de Deportes next on their docket in Peru. The game proved to be just as tough with the Peruvian side putting up a tough fight in Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano’s second game in charge.</p><p>The Herons dominated, but the game ended scoreless and went to penalties, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-defeat-club-universitario-in-penalties-after-scoreless-regulation-draw-in-mls-preseason-match/blta260507fa8616944" target="_blank">with Inter Miami winning 5-4</a>.</p><p>The standout was the reception Lionel Messi got as the Peruvian fans showed their love and adoration for the superstar, even during the game. When the 37-year-old was substituted, he walked off the field to a raucous ovation with fans of both sides cheering on the Barcelona legend.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">"Lionel Messi"<br><br>Porque así se retiró ovacionado por los hinchas de Universitario en el amistoso ante Inter Miami en el Monumental de Lima. Donde vaya, lo respetan y ovacionan, así se respeta al rey del fútbol, pedazo de pelotudo. <br> <a href="https://t.co/mo1rayRNWB">pic.twitter.com/mo1rayRNWB</a></p>— Tendencias en Deportes (@TendenciaDepor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TendenciaDepor/status/1884797904499396797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT THE FANS SAID

<p>Following Messi’s brief interaction with a few Mexican supporters during the Heron’s game against Club America, precautions were reportedly taken for Inter Miami’s trip to Peru. But instead, the Peruvian fans took to  Messi and the American side superbly, even surrounding the team bus for a sight of the Argentine as they made their way towards the stadium.</p><p>The former Barcelona superstar responded in kind, as he waved to his ardent supporters as the bus passed them. Not only that, the World Cup winner was featured in newspapers all across the city with the headline “God is here in Peru” and the reception continued throughout the match.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>With their preseason in full-flow, Inter Miami are still finding its feet under Mascherano, and faces Sporting San Miguelito in Panama next. Following that, the Herons take on Olimpia in Honduras which brings an end to the South and Central American pre-season tour. </p><p>However, they return to the United States to face Orlando FC and Sporting Kansas City before their MLS season officially kicks off with a home game against New York City FC.</p>

WHAT’S NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI CF?

Peruvian fans in awe of Lionel Messi during Inter Miami's preseason clash against Club Universitario de Deportes | Goal.com

80,000 fans gave the Argentine a standing ovation as Miami faced Club Universitario de Deportes in a preseason friendly 

Next Match