Messi has two assists as Inter Miami plays NYCFC to draw in MLS season opener: Highlights.

– All it took was five minutes for Lionel Messi to make his mark at the start of Inter Miami’s 2025 Major League Soccer season.

About 95 minutes later, Messi shined again, saving Inter Miami’s night.

Messi found new teammate Telasco Segovia, trailing on his right side, and delivered his second assist of the game in the 100th minute to help Inter Miami escape with a 2-2 draw at home against New York City FC on Saturday at Chase Stadium.

It was an ugly affair for Inter Miami in the club’s first home match of the year until Messi’s heroics. Inter Miami played with just 10 men since the 26th minute after an early ejection, and trailed 2-1 since the 55th minute.

It was also Inter Miami’s second match of the week after playing in subfreezing temperatures at Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup first-round series on Wednesday. Inter Miami has played seven matches in 35 days to start the year.

Inter Miami’s Fafa Picault and Marcelo Weigandt left the match early due to muscle injuries. Luis Suarez and Benjamin Cremaschi, who got a yellow card in the 41st minute, were substituted out early in the second half for fresher legs. Inter Miami was already without midfielder Yannick Bright (thigh), goalie Drake Callender (adductor), and defender David Martínez (ankle).

Messi started the match turning a set play into a dynamic assist, finding 21-year-old Inter Miami defender Toto Aviles in front of the net for a goal in the fifth minute for an early 1-0 lead.

Mitja Ilenič scored in the 26th minute shortly after the ejection to tie it, before Martínez scored in the 55th minute to give NYCFC a 2-1 lead over Inter Miami.

Before halftime, Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez were pleading with referees at midfield, while Mascherano argued on the sidelines.

Luckily, Messi was able to recreate the magic he did Wednesday, when he scored the only goal in Inter Miami’s 1-0 win at Sporting Kansas City.

Before his second assist Saturday, Messi missed a free kick in the 71st minute and received a yellow card in the 91st minute of the match. He also appeared visibly upset after the game. He played another 105 minutes, after playing all 90 minutes at Kansas City.

Inter Miami felt the effects of the quick turnaround during their home opener. And they have another game in three days, hosting SKC in the second leg of their Champions Cup series on Tuesday.

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