 "Lionel Messi hugs Telasco Segovia after Inter Miami secure a draw against New York City in MLS opener. Image: Reuters")
An almost last-minute assist from Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami secure a comeback draw against New York City in their opening match of the 2025 MLS season at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
While Messi did not find his name on the scoresheet, he assisted both goals as Javier Mascherano-coached Inter Miami were held by New York City to a 2-2 draw.
The first goal was scored by Tomas Aviles for Miami in the fifth minute when Jordi Alba and Messi combined for some delightful play. After a brilliant Alba pass from just outside found Messi in the box, the 37-year-old cut it across for Aviles to score the opener.
With his assist for Aviles, Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goal contributions (21 goals, 19 assists). The Argentine legend took just 26 games to achieve the feat.
Aviles, however, was sent off in the 25th minute for a rash tackle on Alonso Martinez, resulting in a freekick that allowed Slovenian Mitja Ilenic to score the leveller.
Messi saves Miami with two assists
Alba then made a blunder in the second half as the former Spain and Barcelona full-back played a back pass straight to New York striker Alonso Martinez who gave his team the lead in the 55th minute.
Messi later had a chance to bring things back to a level but goalkeeper Matt Freese managed to save his freekick. However, in the 10th minute of the stoppage time, Messi found Telasco Segovia with a brilliantly-timed pass as the Venezuelan beat Freese with a lobbed shot to secure a draw for Miami.