Inter Miami CF Kicks Off Preseason Tour in Latin America

LIMA, Peru — Inter Miami CF launched its 2025 preseason tour in Latin America with a high-profile match against Peruvian champions Club Universitario de Deportes on Wednesday night at Estadio Monumental. The game, which kicked off at 8 p.m. ET, marked the first of three preseason matches for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club as it prepares for a busy season ahead.

The match against Club Universitario is part of Inter Miami’s “The America’s Preseason Tour,” which will also see the team face Sporting San Miguelito in Panama on Feb. 2 and Club Olimpia Deportivo in Honduras on Feb. 8. The tour aims to build momentum ahead of the 2025 MLS season, which includes participation in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami, led by new coach and former Lionel Messi teammate Mauricio Venegas, is looking to capitalize on the global attention surrounding Messi, who scored a header goal in their previous preseason match against LIGA MX champions Club America on Jan. 18. That game, held in Las Vegas, ended in a penalty shootout victory for Inter Miami.

Wednesday’s match was broadcast live, with fans able to stream the game through various platforms. Messi’s playful goal celebration, which appeared to reference Argentina’s three World Cup victories, quickly went viral on social media, further amplifying the excitement around the team.

MLS is also expanding its reach in 2025, with new initiatives like “Sunday Night Soccer” and partnerships with Comcast Xfinity, DirecTV, and T-Mobile to make MLS Season Pass more accessible. The league is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and is expected to draw significant attention to soccer in North America.

Inter Miami’s preseason tour not only serves as preparation for the upcoming season but also as a strategic move to engage with fans across Latin America, a region with a deep passion for soccer. The team’s performance in these matches will be closely watched as they aim to build a competitive edge for the challenges ahead.