In the past two years, Vegas has welcomed Taylor Swift and Beyonce to perform at the 65,000-seater Allegiant Stadium, as well as hosting its first Formula One race and Super Bowl LVIII. This weekend, it is the turn of Lionel Messi.

During the match, Checo Pérez proudly displayed his love for football and his lifelong support for Club América. He was spotted greeting players like Igor Lichnovsky and head coach André Jardine, with whom he shares a friendly relationship. At one point, Checo jokingly entrusted his children to América’s players, drawing laughter from those around.

Lionel Messi scored a goal and made his presence known throughout the first half as Inter Miami beat Mexican superpower Club America 3-2 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 2-2 deadlock in regulation on Saturday night.

Lionel Messi is sporting a new haircut this preseason, but otherwise, looked very much like the dangerous reigning MLS MVP as he scored the first Inter Miami goal of 2025 and played 66 minutes in a win against Mexican champion Club America in Las Vegas late Saturday night.

Lionel Messi scored a goal, and Inter Miami outlasted the Mexican champions, Club América, in a preseason clash in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Messi faced plenty of backlash from those in Mexico after mocking their lack of World Cup success compared to Argentina's decorated history. Notably, former "El Tri" international Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista called out the Argentinian for a "lack of professionalism and education."

Inter Miami may have only been back in preseason play for about five days or so but Lionel Messi didn't need long to score his first goal of 2025 facing Club America in Las Vegas or to show off a unique celebration.