Inter Miami registered their second victory of pre-season last night with a penalty shoot-out win against Peruvian side Universitario de Deportes.
The Herons took part in their first game in South America as 80,000 fans turned out to watch Lionel Messi and company for Inter Miami, with the Florida franchise drawing 0-0 with Universitario before winning the game on penalties.
With Inter Miami fans impressed with Noah Allen’s performance, the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders will be pleased with their result in Lima having beaten Club America earlier in the month also on penalties.
And for Universitario’s players, last night’s match was an opportunity for the Peruvian side to face some of the best to ever play the game, with defender Gustavo Dulanto making an interesting claim when talking about facing Messi.
Messi named as ‘the best in history’ alongside Cristiano Ronaldo
Speaking to Libero, the Peruvian center-back shared how good an experience it was to face the likes of Messi and Inter Miami’s other superstars last night in Lima, with Dulanto also lauding the Argentine as the best player in history, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
With Dulanto facing the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan in his career, the 29-year-old does know a thing or two when it comes to facing some of the best players in the world, with the defender adding another one to his last having kept Messi at bay last night.
Yet for the South American, Messi is on par with Ronaldo, with Dulanto saying when asked post-match how it felt to face Inter Miami: “It was nice to add an experience to play with these kinds of players. We know Lionel Messi is the best in history along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Now, unfortunately, they are in their last years, but they are still different. The control, the passes. Busquets himself, Jordi Alba. It’s a nice experience, I’m going to keep the best memories of this game.”
Who do Inter Miami face next in pre-season?
Two pre-season games, two wins for Inter Miami, a start that new manager Javier Mascherano will be pleased with heading into the start of the 2025 MLS season next month against New York City FC.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Feb. 2 – 5 pm ET | Sporting San Miguelito | Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez | Panama City, Panama |
| Feb. 8 – 8 pm ET | CD Olimpia | Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano | San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
| Feb. 14 – 7:30 pm ET | Orlando City SC | Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, Florida, United States |
Although Inter Miami’s wins were both from penalty shoot-outs, there’s been enough in the performances to show that the Herons have been good value for money as the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders look to iron out their wrinkles in the final pre-season matches.
With Panama side Sporting San Miguelito next up for Inter Miami, a win in regular time will be the aim for the Herons, who will be confident in getting another good result after two impressive showings already this pre-season.