Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami lost to the NYCFC.

To honor their idol and his most recent achievement, Inter Miami had him play one last game in 2023.

The MLS squad honored Lionel Messi’s record-breaking ninth Ballon d’Or on “Noche d’Or,” or “Golden Night,” on Friday by playing a friendly match against New York City FC.

Pregame, the Argentine icon presented his trophy to the Fort Lauderdale crowd. Miami lost 2-1, and the player was unable to score to celebrate.

Late in the first half, the visitors took the lead thanks to a strike from teenage Brazilian striker Talles Magno. Early in the second half, Julián Fernández, who was still quite young, scored another goal.

With ten minutes remaining, Miami substitute Robert Robinson answered, but they were unable to maintain the tie.

Although Argentina’s match kept them fresh for their World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil the following week, Messi’s most recent Ballon d’Or victory took center stage.

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For this reason, it wasn’t expected that he would play the whole match against NYCFC. The 36-year-old did, however, play the entire ninety minutes and tie the score with a last-minute free kick.

Inter Miami was forced to postpone two friendly games in China due to “unforeseen circumstances in China.”

This gave the team the opportunity to schedule a game to honor Messi’s most recent accomplishment and have him close to home before he departs for his overseas assignment.

Following are updates on the score, highlights, and conversation during the Inter Miami vs. NYFC friendly.

Inter Miami vs NYCFC final score, result

Team	Goal	Player
Inter Miami	1	Robinson (81′)
NYCFC	2	Magno (43′), Fernández (48′)

Opening lineups

• Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Callender (GK) — 2. Yedlin (Allen, 60′), 15. Sailor (McVey, 60′), 31. Miller, 18. Alba — 8. Gomez (Robinson, 75′), 5. Busquets, 41. D. Ruiz (Aviles, 75′)  — 10. Messi, 11. Farias (Stefanelli, 60′), 9. Campana
• NYCFC (4-3-3, right to left): 49. Freese (GK) — 35. Ilenič (Grav, 46′), 13. Martins, 5. Risa, 22. O’Toole — 10. S. Rodríguez, 15. Perea, 55. Keaton — 11. J. Fernández, 9. Bakrar, 43. Magno (Martinez, 74′)