The stage was set for a soccer spectacle unlike any other as Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue bursting with history and the promise of new legends, played host to the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season opener between LAFC and Inter Miami on February 22, 2026. This wasn’t just any opening match—it was the much-anticipated American debut of the ‘Messon’ rivalry, pitting Son Heung-min against Lionel Messi for the first time on U.S. soil, and for the first time anywhere since their last clash in the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League. Fans around the globe tuned in, hearts pounding, to witness two of football’s brightest stars rekindle their rivalry in a match that had the world talking long before kickoff.
MLS organizers pulled out all the stops for this historic event, moving the match from LAFC’s usual BMO Stadium, which seats 22,000, to the sprawling Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, capable of accommodating over 77,000 fans. The decision underscored the league’s ambition to stoke soccer fever ahead of the 2026 North American World Cup and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics. The anticipation was palpable, with more than 60,000 spectators expected to fill the stands, creating a cauldron of noise and excitement that would rival any European night.
Both teams arrived with star-studded lineups and no shortage of storylines. LAFC’s Son Heung-min, who shattered the MLS transfer record upon his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2025, was named as the central forward in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation. He was flanked by Denis Bouanga and David Martinez, with Marco Delgado, Timothy Tillman, and Stephen Eustáquio orchestrating the midfield. The defense boasted Sergi Palencia, Nkosi Tafari, Ryan Fortius, and Eddie Segura, while the ever-reliable Hugo Lloris stood guard between the posts.
Inter Miami, the reigning MLS Cup champions, countered with a 4-2-3-1 setup. Hermann Vertelame led the line, while Messi took up his favored role as attacking midfielder, orchestrating play just behind the striker. The wings featured Terrasco Segovia and Mateo Silvetti, with Rodrigo De Paul and Yannick Bright anchoring the midfield. Noah Allen, Mikael, Maximiliano Falcon, and Ian Fray formed the back four, and Dane St. Clair donned the gloves. Notably, Luis Suarez, Messi’s longtime friend and former Barcelona teammate, started on the bench, ready to provide firepower if needed.
The buildup to this clash was electric. Son Heung-min came into the opener in scintillating form, having just led LAFC to a 6-1 demolition of Real España in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on February 18. In that match, he racked up an astonishing 1 goal and 3 assists in the first half alone, earning rave reviews and sky-high player ratings from outlets like ‘Footmob’ and ‘SofaScore.’ Since his MLS debut, Son had notched 12 goals and 4 assists in just 13 appearances, trailing only Messi in attack points per minute across the league. The Korean superstar’s chemistry with Denis Bouanga, who netted a hat-trick in the same Champions Cup match, had LAFC fans dreaming of even greater heights this season.
Messi, meanwhile, was fresh off another MVP campaign, having steered Inter Miami to the MLS Cup and claimed both the league’s Golden Boot and MVP awards for a second straight year. There had been some concern earlier in February when Messi suffered a hamstring injury, but he returned to full training on February 19, quashing doubts about his fitness. According to the MLS official channel, “Messi has fully recovered from his lower body injury and is ready for action.” Even if not quite at peak sharpness, few doubted the Argentine’s ability to rise to the occasion. Messi’s head-to-head record against Son stood at one win and one draw, both from their Champions League encounters seven years prior, but this was a new chapter on a new continent.
Media outlets across the U.S. and South Korea heralded the match as a turning point for MLS, with one local report declaring, “What was once the domain of the Champions League is now rewriting the competitive landscape of MLS.” The league itself highlighted the fixture as the top must-watch game of the season, stating, “Two iconic teams and two of the world’s greatest stars will open the season at an iconic stadium.”
Fans who couldn’t snag a seat in the Coliseum had plenty of ways to tune in. In Korea, Coupang Play offered exclusive live coverage with Korean commentary, including a preview show starting an hour before kickoff. SPOTV Prime also broadcast the match, complete with a kickoff show and post-match analysis hosted by a team of well-known commentators and analysts, ensuring that every twist and turn was dissected in real time.
Inter Miami’s journey to the opener was just as compelling. The team had finished third in the Eastern Conference last season but caught fire in the playoffs, ultimately defeating Vancouver—led by Thomas Müller—in a dramatic MLS Cup final. The defending champions arrived in LA with momentum and a roster brimming with international pedigree, eager to spoil the homecoming party for Son and LAFC.
As the teams took to the field, the sense of occasion was impossible to ignore. This was more than just a soccer match; it was a celebration of the sport’s global reach and the star power that now calls MLS home. The sight of Son and Messi exchanging handshakes at the center circle was enough to give even the most seasoned fans goosebumps. For the first time in over seven years, these two icons were set to duel once more, this time with a new league, new teammates, and a new audience watching with bated breath.
Every pass, every dribble, every shot was charged with the weight of history and expectation. Would Son’s explosive pace and clinical finishing tip the scales in LAFC’s favor? Could Messi, even fresh from injury, conjure the magic that has defined his career? The crowd roared with every touch, the atmosphere electric with anticipation and respect for the legends on display.
As the match progressed, it was clear that both Son and Messi were determined to leave their mark. The tactical battle unfolded with intensity, each side probing for weaknesses, each superstar drawing defenders and sparking attacks. The Coliseum, echoing with chants and cheers, became the epicenter of world football for a day.
With the action still ongoing, fans remain glued to their screens and seats, eager to see which superstar will seize the moment. The MLS could not have asked for a more captivating opening to its 2026 season, nor a more fitting showcase for the beautiful game’s growing influence in the United States. One thing’s for sure: the Son vs. Messi saga has entered an exhilarating new chapter, and the world is watching every second.