The Inter Miami vs Club América lineups attracted major attention because the preseason friendly brought together two high-profile clubs and several internationally recognized players. The match took place on January 18, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of Inter Miami’s preparation for the 2025 season. The match was especially notable because it marked Inter Miami’s first visit to Las Vegas and the club’s first meeting with Club América.
The starting Inter Miami vs Club América lineups featured Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for Inter Miami, while Club América started players including Luis Malagón, Henry Martín, Álvaro Fidalgo, Jonathan dos Santos, Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez. Inter Miami used a 4-4-2 formation, while América lined up in a 4-3-3 system.
Quick Facts About Inter Miami vs Club América Lineups
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Inter Miami CF vs Club América |
| Date | January 18, 2025 |
| Competition | Preseason Friendly |
| Venue | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Inter Miami Formation | 4-4-2 |
| Club América Formation | 4-3-3 |
| Inter Miami Captain | Lionel Messi |
| Club América Captain | Henry Martín |
| Inter Miami Goalkeeper | Rocco Ríos Novo |
| Club América Goalkeeper | Luis Malagón |
| Major Inter Miami Players | Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba |
| Major América Players | Henry Martín, Luis Malagón, Álvaro Fidalgo, Brian Rodríguez |
| Final Score | 2–2 after regulation |
| Shootout | Inter Miami won 3–2 |
| Attendance | 45,262 |
| Match Type | International Club Friendly |
Inter Miami Starting Lineup
Inter Miami’s starting XI combined several of the club’s most recognizable players with younger members of the squad. Rocco Ríos Novo started in goal, with Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Noah Allen and Jordi Alba forming the defensive line. Sergio Busquets and Federico Redondo operated in midfield, while Robert Taylor and Fafà Picault provided width and attacking support. Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez started together in attack. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
The 4-4-2 setup gave Messi and Suárez a central attacking partnership while allowing Inter Miami to maintain four players across midfield. Busquets provided experience in the center of the pitch, while Redondo added energy alongside him. Jordi Alba’s presence at left-back also gave the team an experienced option for progressing the ball from the defensive third into attacking areas. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Club América Starting Lineup
Club América entered the match with a 4-3-3 formation. Luis Malagón started in goal, while the defensive group consisted of Kevin Álvarez, Israel Reyes, Sebastián Cáceres and Cristian Borja. In midfield, Jonathan dos Santos, Álvaro Fidalgo and Érick Sánchez were selected, while Alejandro Zendejas, Henry Martín and Brian Rodríguez formed the front three. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
The lineup gave América a balanced combination of experienced players and attacking options. Henry Martín operated as the central striker, with Zendejas and Rodríguez positioned around him. Jonathan dos Santos provided experience in midfield, while Fidalgo and Érick Sánchez added additional passing and attacking ability. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Inter Miami vs Club América Formation
The formation comparison is one of the most interesting parts of the Inter Miami vs Club América lineups. Inter Miami used a 4-4-2 system, meaning the team had four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards. Messi and Suárez occupied the attacking positions, while Busquets and Redondo formed the central midfield partnership. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Club América used a 4-3-3 formation. This gave the Mexican side three central midfielders and three dedicated attacking players. Henry Martín was positioned centrally, with Zendejas and Rodríguez providing support from the wide attacking positions. The different formations created a tactical contrast between Inter Miami’s two-forward setup and América’s three-player attack. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in the Lineup
Lionel Messi was one of the biggest attractions of the match. He started as part of Inter Miami’s front two alongside Luis Suárez. Messi scored Inter Miami’s first goal in the 34th minute after Henry Martín had opened the scoring for América. Suárez was credited with the assist for Messi’s goal. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Messi and Suárez were eventually substituted during the second half as Inter Miami managed its preseason squad. Messi left in the 65th minute, with Yannick Bright replacing him, while Suárez was replaced by Héctor Martínez during the same period. The substitutions allowed other squad members to gain playing time during the preparation match. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Club América’s Key Players
Club América’s starting lineup included several players with international and Liga MX experience. Henry Martín led the attack and opened the scoring in the 31st minute after receiving an assist from Brian Rodríguez. Luis Malagón started in goal, while Jonathan dos Santos and Álvaro Fidalgo were part of the midfield three. Inter Miami vs Club América lineups.
Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez provided attacking support around Martín. América also had a deep group of substitutes available, allowing the coaching staff to make several changes after halftime. Seven substitutions were made around the 46th minute, including changes involving players such as Néstor Araújo, Cristian Calderón, Ramón Juárez, Alan Cervantes, Richard Sánchez, Víctor Dávila and Javairo Dilrosun.
Inter Miami Substitutions
The Inter Miami lineup changed considerably as the friendly progressed. Julian Gressel replaced Robert Taylor in the 65th minute, while Yannick Bright came on for Messi. Leo Afonso replaced Jordi Alba shortly afterward. David Ruiz then replaced Sergio Busquets in the 72nd minute, followed by Santiago Morales replacing Fafà Picault.
These substitutions were typical of a preseason match, where coaches often prioritize fitness, experimentation and minutes for different members of the squad. The changes also introduced younger players into a high-profile environment. Santiago Morales eventually became particularly important because he converted the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Club América Substitutions
Club América made extensive changes after halftime. Néstor Araújo, Cristian Calderón, Ramón Juárez, Alan Cervantes, Richard Sánchez, Víctor Dávila and Javairo Dilrosun all entered around the 46th minute. Later, Rodolfo Cota replaced Luis Malagón, while Dagoberto Espinoza, Miguel Vázquez and Miguel Ramírez also entered the match.
The large number of substitutions meant that the second half featured a significantly different América side from the one that started the game. This is important when analyzing the lineups because the starting XI tells only part of the story. The final stages of a preseason friendly can involve extensive squad rotation, giving coaches an opportunity to evaluate players in different combinations.
Goals and Match Development
Club América took the lead in the 31st minute when Henry Martín scored after Brian Rodríguez provided the assist. Inter Miami responded only a few minutes later, with Messi equalizing in the 34th minute after receiving a pass from Suárez. The teams went into halftime level at 1–1.
América regained the advantage early in the second half. Israel Reyes scored in the 52nd minute to make the score 2–1. Inter Miami continued searching for an equalizer and eventually found it in stoppage time when Tomás Avilés scored in the 90+2nd minute, with Julian Gressel providing the assist. The game therefore finished 2–2 after regulation.
Penalty Shootout and Final Result
Because the preseason friendly remained tied after regulation, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Inter Miami eventually won the shootout 3–2. The decisive penalty was converted by 17-year-old Inter Miami Homegrown player Santiago Morales, giving the Miami side the victory.
The shootout also demonstrated how many different players had become involved by the end of the match. Inter Miami’s penalty takers included Federico Redondo, Héctor Martínez, Julian Gressel, David Ruiz, Marcelo Weigandt and Santiago Morales. América’s takers included Víctor Dávila, Alan Cervantes, Richard Sánchez, Javairo Dilrosun, Cristian Calderón and Ramón Juárez.
Why the Inter Miami vs Club América Lineups Were Important
The match was significant because it served as Inter Miami’s first preseason fixture ahead of the 2025 campaign. The club had finished the previous MLS regular season with a record-breaking 74 points and was preparing for a busy year that included MLS competition, the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
For Club América, the fixture provided an opportunity to face a high-profile MLS opponent in front of a large audience in the United States. The matchup also brought together recognizable players from MLS and Liga MX. With Messi, Suárez, Busquets and Alba on one side and Martín, Malagón, Fidalgo, dos Santos and Rodríguez on the other, the starting lineups naturally generated substantial interest among football fans.
Inter Miami vs Club América Lineups: What to Remember
The confirmed Inter Miami vs Club América lineups featured Inter Miami’s 4-4-2 against América’s 4-3-3. Ríos Novo started in goal for Miami, with Weigandt, Avilés, Allen and Alba in defense. Busquets and Redondo formed the central midfield, while Taylor, Picault, Messi and Suárez completed the starting group. América began with Malagón, Álvarez, Reyes, Cáceres, Borja, dos Santos, Fidalgo, Érick Sánchez, Zendejas, Martín and Rodríguez.
The match ultimately ended 2–2 before Inter Miami won the penalty shootout 3–2. Messi scored for Miami, while Martín and Reyes scored for América, and Avilés produced the late equalizer. The extensive substitutions on both sides also made the match useful as a preseason evaluation opportunity rather than a conventional competitive fixture.
Conclusion
The Inter Miami vs Club América lineups from the January 18, 2025 preseason match featured some of the biggest names associated with both clubs. Messi and Suárez led Inter Miami’s attack, supported by experienced players such as Busquets and Jordi Alba. Club América responded with a strong 4-3-3 lineup featuring Henry Martín, Luis Malagón, Álvaro Fidalgo, Jonathan dos Santos, Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez.
The game provided plenty of action, finishing 2–2 in regulation before Inter Miami won the penalty shootout 3–2. Beyond the final result, the confirmed lineups, formations and substitutions provide a useful picture of how both teams approached an important preseason test ahead of their respective 2025 campaigns.
