Messi and Inter Miami fall 3-0 to LAFC in MLS season opener

Messi and Inter Miami suffer a 3-0 defeat to LAFC in their MLS Cup title defense opener.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami got off to a rough start in their MLS Cup title defence when David Martínez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz scored in Los Angeles FC (LAFC)’s 3-0 victory on Saturday night (February 21, 2026).

Son Heung-min set up Martínez’s opening goal for LAFC, which emphasised its status as a primary threat to Miami’s crown during a lively MLS season opener between two of the league’s marquee clubs.

The matchup drew 75,673 fans — the second-largest crowd in MLS history — to the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is next door to LAFC’s home, BMO Stadium.

“This game would have sold out five times at BMO, but we wanted to do something special,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “This is a seminal year in the history of our sport and a big moment in the history of our league, so why not go into this historic stadium, bring Miami here, our champion, and have them play against LAFC?”

The huge crowd got an entertaining match and a good look at Messi, who played despite dealing with a strained hamstring this month. His every move was greeted with cheers and boos by the California fans.

The superstar is still working out his dynamic with his new teammates, however: The Herons lost Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to retirement and added forward Germán Berterame and elite MLS goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, whose positioning mistake greatly simplified Bouanga’s goal.