Inter Miami midfielder Leo Messi shoots past Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller throughout the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
MIAMI — Lionel Messi had a goal and assisted on one other as Inter Miami won its first game at Nu Stadium, 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
German Berterame also scored for Inter Miami, which had three draws and a loss at its recent 26,000-seat stadium before Sunday’s victory.
Messi opened the scoring along with his thirteenth goal of the season within the thirty first minute. Luis Suárez sent a pass inside to Telasco Segovia, who flicked a pass on to Messi, who beat Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis from 12 yards.
READ: Messi still highest paid player in MLS
Inter Miami padded the lead on Berterame’s goal within the forty second minute. Messi dribbled past two defenders and centered to Berterame, who converted contained in the left post.
The Timbers had the primary scoring threat when Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair deflected Cole Bassett’s shot from the sting of the big area within the eleventh minute.
The familiar singing, cheering, flag waving and drum beating from Inter Miami’s organized supporters’ groups “La Familia” were absent until late within the match. The groups reportedly are upset that the players haven’t acknowledged their presence in the brand new stadium and remained silent as a type of protest before they began singing within the eighty fifth minute.
The match was the primary between the teams since Portland coach Phil Neville was fired as Inter Miami’s coach in 2023, shortly before Messi began playing for the Herons.
READ: Messi is MLS’ first back-to-back winner
Neville is close friends with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and told reporters after the Timbers got to South Florida late last week that he was aware Messi selecting Miami would likely mean a training change. The club has had 4 coaches since, including two interim bosses, all of them from Messi’s native Argentina.
“At the beginning of the (2023) season, I used to be under no illusions that probably when/if he got here in that I wouldn’t be here, and that’s totally positive,” Neville said, referring to Messi. “I understood football.”
Sunday was also the primary Inter Miami match for the reason that team revealed that forward Tadeo Allende had what was described as successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee “to deal with the discomfort he had been experiencing in recent weeks.” There’s no timetable for his return.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.