Inter Miami’s 2026 preseason tour of South America has already crossed the line between friendly matches and full-scale football events. Branded as the Champions Tour, the club’s early stops in Peru and Colombia have drawn massive crowds, intense media coverage, and scenes rarely associated with preseason football.
At the heart of it all, once again, is Lionel Messi.
A Difficult Start on the Pitch
Inter Miami opened the tour with a tough test against Alianza Lima, falling to a 3–0 defeat. After a long offseason break, the MLS side looked short of sharpness, struggling to connect in attack and leaving gaps defensively against a well-prepared Peruvian team.
The result mattered far less than the moment itself. From kickoff to the final whistle, the focus remained on Messi’s presence and the atmosphere surrounding the match, rather than the scoreline.
Messi Mania Sweeps South America
If there were any doubts about Messi’s global pull at this stage of his career, this tour has erased them completely. From Peru to Colombia, Inter Miami’s arrival triggered scenes more commonly reserved for international tournaments.
Airports were packed with fans hoping for a glimpse of Messi. Team hotels became gathering points for chanting crowds. And in Medellín, a sold-out 45,000-seat stadium rose to its feet in unison as Messi stepped onto the pitch, delivering a standing ovation that echoed long before the ball was kicked.
This wasn’t a standard preseason reception — it was a celebration.
More Than Just Friendlies
Opposition clubs openly described hosting Inter Miami as an “honor,” underlining the scale of Messi’s influence across the continent. These moments have also reignited conversations about the future of North American clubs in South American competitions.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has previously spoken about his desire to see MLS and Liga MX teams involved in Copa Libertadores, and the response to this tour has only strengthened that argument. With CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez also expressing openness to the idea, the discussion now feels more realistic than ever.
A Tour That Means Something
Results may fluctuate as Inter Miami build fitness and cohesion, but one thing is already clear: this tour has gone far beyond preparation for a new season.
For 45,000 fans on their feet, for cities that stopped to welcome one man, and for a continent that still treats him like royalty, Lionel Messi remains football’s most powerful attraction — even in preseason.
