MIAMI — The Lionel Messi preseason traveling show continues this weekend as the Argentine legend and his Inter Miami teammates head to Colombia to face Altetico Nacional in Medellin for the second game in their Champions Tour.

It will be the first time Messi plays for a club team on Colombian soil, and it figures to be a good test for Inter Miami, which understandably looked rusty in a 3-0 loss to Peruvian team Alianza Lima last weekend after just five days of training.

“The game in Peru was a great atmosphere, a great experience for us, obviously not the best performance, not something we want to remember,” said Inter Miami defender Noah Allen. “But at the end of the day, it’s the first match. We’re getting our fitness [back] and chemistry. We were thrown off a little bit. We came together and are trying to move forward.”

Allen added that the early-game knee injury to newly signed Spanish left back Sergio Reguilon threw off the team’s rhythm.

The club medical report confirmed that after undergoing medical examinations, Reguilon “suffered a Grade II knee sprain in his right leg, and his recovery time will be determined as his rehabilitation progresses.”

Reguilon, who was signed to replace retired Jordi Alba, came to Inter Miami with an impressive pedigree, having played for Real Madrid and Tottenham, but he struggled to fit in Tottenham’s system, played limited minutes and became a free agent last May. He had not played a competitive match in a long time and was eager to kick-start his career with his new Miami teammates.

Facundo Mura, a new Argentine fullback who typically plays on the right side, stepped in for Reguilon against Alianza. Allen, who has played on the left side, could be another option going forward.

Asked whether he might shift from center back to left back to replace Reguilon, Allen said “Whatever position I play I will do my best and give my all.”

Miami looks a bit different this year than it did during the 2025 championship season after the retirement of Alba and Sergio Busquets.

The club restocked on the defensive end with Reguilon, Mura, Brazilian center back Micael Dos Santos, goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and defensive midfielder David Ayala.

“We’re working on different things, the group is good, we’re also missing some players with the visas and stuff,” Allen said. “Once the whole group comes together we’re going to continue working. We’ve been training really well. Coach [Javier] Mascherano has been giving us that identity that we don’t want to slack off.”

St. Clair, the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with Minnesota United, made his Inter Miami debut against Alianza but has not been able to train with the club in Fort Lauderdale as he finalizes his U.S. visa paperwork. Tadeo Allende, re-signed on a permanent basis after being on loan from Spanish Club Celta de Vigo, is always awaiting his visa.

Micael received his visa midweek and is expected to join the team in Colombia.

Atletico Nacional is Colombia’s most successful club having won 18 league titles, eight Colombian Cups, four Super Cups and two Copa Libertadores trophies. Last season, they won the Colombian Cup and Super Cup.

Nacional began its 2026 season with a 4-0 victory over Boyaca Chico.

Among the players to watch are David Ospina, Edwin Cardona, Matheus Uribe, William Tesillo, and Dairon Asprilla.

Inter Miami Uruguayan center back Maxi Falcon is familiar with Colombian soccer from his years playing for Colo Colo in the Chilean league.

“When I was with Colo Colo, we played against Colombian teams numerous times and physically, they are strong, fast and the climate there is similar to what we have here with the heat and humidity,” he said Thursday. “We are happy to be playing this match to continue preparing for what’s to come.”

Falcon said he had to adjust to the physicality and speed of MLS after playing his whole career in Uruguay and Chile. He conceded that the Miami defense was vulnerable early last season, but that came together later in the year and in the playoffs.

“We are now in preseason, so you won’t see the best Inter Miami [in Colombia] this weekend, but we will do all we can to be protagonists with the ball and try to hurt the opponents and win everything we can this season.”

One player who is extra motivated is Little Havana native David Ruiz, a product of the youth academy who plays for the Honduran national team. He missed last season due to a prolonged leg injury.

“Everything is completely resolved, I’m 100 percent and thank God I’m back,” he said. “I had a circulatory problem that required surgery. It’s difficult to make the decision to be off the field and not be able to play for the MLS Cup, even though I wanted to, but I had to do it to start this year from scratch. Thank God I recovered, and we are ready to compete for a title.”

After facing Atletico Nacional, Inter Miami will play its third preseason match Feb. 7 in Ecuador against Barcelona de Guayaquil and then will travel to Puerto Rico for a Feb. 13 game against Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A champion, Independiente del Valle

Miami opens the MLS regular season Feb. 21 on the road against LAFC.

How to Watch Inter Miami vs Atletico Nacional: The match kicks off at 5 p.m. and is available on OneFootball for $4.99.

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