Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) defeated Inter Miami CF 3-0 to start the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season on Feb. 22. The highly anticipated match featured soccer icons such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Heung Min Son, becoming the game with the second highest attendance in MLS history, as well as the highest attended opening game in the league’s history. LAFC forward Son showcased an impressive display by providing an assist to teammate David Martínez to start off his MLS campaign. 

“I believe LAFC’s convincing victory against Inter Miami showcases how players who are past their prime, such as Son and [Hugo] Lloris, are still capable of stepping up when it matters,” Paul Park (10), soccer enthusiast, said. “The fact that Messi and Son are able to play at one of the highest levels of the sport in one of the biggest stages in America shows their longevity and commitment to the game.” 

LAFC forwards David Martínez, Denis Bouanga, and Nathan Ordaz scored for the home team in front of 75,673 spectators inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This was LAFC’s ninth regular-season opener victory in its nine MLS seasons and also a continuation of a record for the most consecutive wins in season openers. 

“This match was more than just a fight for three points,” Chris Ahn (11), varsity soccer player, said. “It really showcases how much the MLS has grown as a league with the addition of world-class players, which allows for greater viewership around the world.” 

This was Messi’s and Son’s third encounter with each other, with the first two clashes occurring while both players were in their former clubs of Barcelona FC and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. This was also Son’s second consecutive game with a goal contribution, after scoring a goal and providing an assist in the previous game against Real Espana on Feb. 18.