As Lionel Messi and Inter Miami opened their season on Saturday, it was evident that some rust needed to be shaken off, leading to a 3-0 loss against Los Angeles FC. The match was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, marking a strong start for new LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos, who watched as his side defeated the reigning MLS champions.

David Martinez scored the pivotal goal, but the scoreline could have been more significant if LAFC had capitalized on their chances. Alongside Martinez, Nathan Ordaz and Denis Bouanga each found the net, thrilling the crowd of 75,673—a record attendance for an opening weekend in MLS history.

Without Sergio Busquets, whose retirement left a hole in the midfield, Inter Miami struggled with organization. The defensive lapses were exposed on LAFC’s second goal as no players effectively tracked back. Potential replacement Rodrigo De Paul will need time to adjust as the lineup has seen substantial changes, with three starters absent from last season.

Messi exhibited visible frustration with the team’s disjointed playing style and LAFC’s physicality. As one of the favorites for the MLS Cup in 2026, Inter Miami will need to regroup and improve, especially with LAFC emerging as a contender early in the season.