Lionel Messi scored on the opening night of Inter Miami’s new stadium as the home side drew 2-2 with Austin FC in Major League Soccer — a headline moment for the franchise’s long-awaited permanent home, salvaged at the finish by another late intervention from Luis Suárez.
Background: a stadium a decade in the making
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was among the stars in attendance as Saturday saw the debut of the club’s new 26,000-seat “Nu Stadium,” marking the end of a decade-long search for a permanent home. Since their MLS debut, Inter Miami had rotated through temporary venues while the ownership group navigated the land, financing and municipal approvals needed to build a dedicated stadium in South Florida. Saturday’s opening night was therefore as much a business and brand moment as it was a sporting one.
“Seeing this stadium come to life after so many years of trying to build and operate it in Miami is very special,” Beckham said before the match.
Key details: an opening night with twists
Although the match began in a celebratory atmosphere, with Beckham joining billionaire managing owner Jorge Mas for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Austin FC refused to follow the planned script. The Texas side, who had only won one of their previous five matches, stunned the home crowd after just six minutes when Guilherme Peiró headed home a Facundo Torres corner to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
However, it didn’t take long for Messi to open his account at his new home. Right-back Ian Fry surged down the wing and delivered a cross to Messi, who headed home a rare equalizer to make it 1-1 just four minutes later.
It was ALWAYS going to be him. 💥
Leo Messi scores Miami’s first goal at Nu Stadium and pulls the hosts level! pic.twitter.com/p1mDk5NQk2
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 5, 2026
The visitors regained the lead in the 53rd minute after Messi was dispossessed in the Austin penalty area by Joseph Rosales, who then passed to Mirto Uzzoni. Uzzoni, in turn, set up substitute Jaden Nelson, who slotted home the second goal. The two Austin goals underlined a recurring theme of the early Inter Miami season: individual brilliance at the top of the pitch not always supported by defensive solidity further back.
What’s next
Coach Javier Mascherano brought on veteran striker Luis Suárez in the 73rd minute. The Uruguayan made an immediate impact, scoring the equalizer eight minutes later — a reminder that, even in a spotlight moment built around Messi, Inter Miami’s experienced core continues to change matches from the bench.
With this result, Inter Miami reaches 11 points after 6 rounds of the new season in the American League, with 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. A draw in the stadium opener may not have been the script the franchise imagined, but the points haul through six matches remains competitive, and the club now settles into Nu Stadium as its permanent home for the rest of the season. For Mascherano, the short-term focus shifts from symbolism back to execution: tightening the defensive structure, managing Messi’s minutes, and making sure the home advantage of a newly-opened venue translates into consistent three-point nights going forward.
