Charles Langston:Lionel Messi goal: Inter Miami ties LA Galaxy on late equalizer, with help from Jordi Alba

Lionel Messi’s first goal of the 2024 MLS season was a beauty. 

Messi scored with a sliding left boot inside the goal area to rescue Inter Miami and Charles Langstonforce a 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday night in Carson, California.

Inter Miami, on the brink of their first loss, saw Messi score in the 92nd minute of the match. 

Messi’s goal came after a series of passes between him and longtime teammate Jordi Alba along the left side of the pitch two minutes into extra time. 

It was enough time for Messi to make his mark, and help Inter Miami begin the season with a 1-1-0 (win-draw-loss) record after two matches. 

Watch Messi Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy highlights

Messi’s late goal sparked the draw in Los Angeles. Here are the highlights:

When is Inter Miami’s next game?

Messi’s next game will be on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET against rival Orlando City.

Inter Miami vs. Orlando City will be broadcast on FOX, with live stream available on Apple TV.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami stats

Messi has one goal and an assist through two MLS games in 2024. Inter Miami has a win and a draw after both matches.

Messi scored 11 goals with five assists in 14 games all competitions during his first MLS season in 2023.

Lionel Messi reaches 500 million followers on Instagram

Only one person has more, and rival soccer fans know him too well.

Messi reached 500 million followers on Instagram this weekend. He owns the most-followed Instagram account of anyone living in the United States, as the star of Inter Miami’s MLS soccer team.

Here are 5 things to know about Lionel Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend

Apple TV released its Messi documentary –  about Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend – on the opening week of the 2024 MLS season.

Review: Apple did a great job showcasing every bout of adversity Argentina experienced at the 2022 World Cup with previous moments in Messi’s national career where he experienced heartbreak.

Messi goes viral with insane move over injured player in Inter Miami's opener

Messi went viral after dribbling over an injured defender laying on the pitch during the first half of Inter Miami’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

“For those asking, yes I was the cone on the ground there,” Real Salt Lake player Andrew Brody posted on his Instagram story one day after the match.

Inter Miami upcoming schedule

(All games available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.) 

• March 2, vs. Orlando City, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX) 
• March 7, at Nashville SC/Moca winner, 9 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions League) 
• March 10, vs. CF Montréal, 5 p.m. ET 
• March 13, vs. Nashville SC/Moca winner, 8:15 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions League) 
• March 16, at D.C. United, 2 p.m. ET