Messi scores 1st goal of the season to help Inter Miami draw LA Galaxy

In their opening road game of the 2024 MLS regular season, Inter Miami CF faced Los Angeles Galaxy and came away with a point in a hard-fought 1-1 tie.

Goalie Drake Callender put on a fantastic display at Dignity Health Sports Park, while captain Lionel Messi and defender Jordi Alba scored and assisted on their first goals of the year, respectively.

In the team's 2024 second game, Inter Miami used the same starting lineup as in their midweek win over Real Salt Lake.

Despite the best efforts of both teams over the first forty-five minutes of play, there was no score at the interval.

Forward Dejan Jovejlic's goal in the 75th minute of the second half gave the hosts their first lead of the game.

In the second minute of extra time, Messi managed to find the late equalizer after making multiple risky tries throughout the second half.

The left defender ran into space inside the box after the Argentine attacker intercepted a pass and found Alba on the left side of the pitch, just outside the area.

The two then connected for a stunning series of passes.

Following a backward pass from Alba, Messi finished with a first-time, left-footed finish to put the ball in the back of the net.

It was Messi's first goal of the 2024 regular season, and it was Alba's first assist of the year.

The team's next game, scheduled for Saturday, March 2, at Chase Stadium, will see Inter Miami go back to South Florida to play rivals Orlando City SC.