In a electrifying prelude to Inter Miami’s preseason clash, soccer’s ultimate icon, Lionel Messi, shared the pitch with Colombian legend René Higuita, sparking a moment of pure magic that seemed to fuel the Herons’ hard-fought triumph. The encounter, brimming with nostalgia and flair, set the stage for Miami’s 2-1 victory over Colombian powerhouse Atlético Nacional in a pulsating match in Medellín.
Higuita, the audacious former goalkeeper who redefined the position with his daring style, is forever etched in football history for his infamous scorpion kick save during a 1995 friendly against England at Wembley. With over 40 goals to his name and a showman’s charisma, Higuita revolutionized goalkeeping, blending defense with offensive flair. On Saturday, the two South American titans—both hailed as GOATs in their own right—exchanged passes and tricks, with Higuita even unleashing his signature scorpion kick to the delight of onlookers.
“Un encuentro muy especial 🤩,” Inter Miami captioned their viral post, capturing the joy of the moment. Higuita, beaming with admiration, later declared, “It was really great to meet the best in football history. He’s an alien.” For Messi, whose brilliance shines through unparalleled vision and skill rather than acrobatic saves, the meeting was a nod to the vibrant legacy of South American soccer—two legends whose talents have captivated the world.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/M10GOAT/status/2017742755540185384/video/1
This pre-game spark appeared to ignite Inter Miami, who bounced back from a lackluster 3-0 loss to Peru’s Alianza Lima in their opener. Facing Nacional in front of a raucous, packed crowd at 1,500 meters of altitude, Miami showed grit and guile. Nacional struck first in the 26th minute, but Messi, ever the maestro, orchestrated the comeback.
In the 55th minute, the Argentine wizard unleashed a thunderous long-range shot from the edge of the box that cannoned off the post. His longtime Barcelona comrade, Luis Suárez, pounced on the rebound, tumbling comically as he slotted home the equalizer to make it 1-1. The goal, born from Messi’s magic, electrified the team and the fans alike.
“Hedef أول لميامي بعد مجهود كبير من الأسطورة 🐐,” enthused a fan account on X, highlighting Messi’s pivotal role. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner dominated with three shots, 55 touches, and 18 passes into the final third over 85 minutes, dictating the tempo despite the squad’s preseason rust and the thin air.
The drama peaked in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when an own goal from Nacional’s Elkin Rivero handed Miami the 2-1 win. Manager Javier Mascherano reflected postgame: “A tough match. We knew it would be difficult because of the opponent’s quality and the altitude—something we’re not used to.”
Adding to the excitement, new Designated Player striker Germán Berterame made an unofficial debut in the 59th minute, creating two chances despite not having trained with the team. His fresh energy complemented Messi’s influence, hinting at a potent attack for the season ahead.
With the Higuita-Messi moment still buzzing, Inter Miami heads into the final legs of their South American tour: facing Ecuador’s Barcelona SC on February 7, followed by Independiente del Valle in Messi’s historic first match in Puerto Rico on February 13. The Herons then kick off the MLS regular season on February 21 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against LAFC, starring Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga.
From a legendary pre-game rendezvous to a resilient victory, this chapter underscores Messi’s enduring spark—proving once again why he’s the GOAT who inspires triumphs on and off the field.