Inter Miami got off to a great start in pre-season with a penalty shoot-out win against Mexican giants Club America.
Lionel Messi and Tomas Aviles were on the scoresheet for the Herons as Javier Mascherano’s side took the Liga MX side to penalties at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where teenager Santiago Morales was the hero for the Florida franchise.
Son of Inter Miami assistant manager Javier Morales, the 17-year-old midfielder gave a great account for himself on his unofficial debut for the Supporters’ Shield champions, with Morales tucking home the winning penalty with emphatic fashion.
And Messi and Luis Suarez were seemingly impressed with what they saw from the USA youth international.
READ MORE: Three Inter Miami youngsters to watch out for 2025 – Javier Mascherano will be keeping a close eye
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Messi and Suarez seen hugging Morales after match-winning penalty
As reported by the Miami Herald, Messi and Suarez were seen hugging Morales and hyping the midfielder up after the full-time whistle, with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also joining in on giving the teenager his moment in the spotlight.
With new signing Rocco Rios Novo also impressing having just arrived on loan from Argentinan side Lanus, Inter Miami’s debutants gave good accounts for themselves against one of the best teams in North America in Club America.
Indeed, Inter Miami’s academy is already regarded as one of the best in MLS with Benjamin Cremaschi establishing himself as one of the most exciting talents in America having broken into the first-team under former manager Tata Martino.
And for Morales, the teenage midfielder will want to make the same journey as Cremaschi, with the youngster having a dream start to life with Mascherano in Inter Miami’s pre-season tour of the Americas.
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Who do Inter Miami face next in pre-season?
Inter Miami’s win against one of the biggest clubs in North America in Club America is a promising start to Mascherano’s first pre-season in charge for the Herons, with things getting relatively easier for the Chase Stadium side from now on.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| January 30th | Universitario de Deportes | Lima, Peru |
| February 2nd | Sporting San Miguelito | Panama City, Panama |
| February 8th | Club Deportivo Olimpia | San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
| February 14th | Orlando City SC | Tampa, Florida, USA |
Inter Miami head to Peru in a fortnight to take on Universitario de Deportes, a game that manager Fabian Bustos is already excited for with Messi and company making their way to Lima for the first time in franchise history.
After that, Inter Miami return to the continent with games against Panama side Sporting San Miguelito and Honduran giants Club Deportivo Olimpia, before pre-season wraps up on Valentine’s Day against Florida rivals Orlando City SC.