Inter Miami CF opens its Champions Tour this Saturday in Lima against Alianza Lima, and the friendly offers a first real snapshot of what the club wants to be in 2026. As the 2025 MLS Cup champions, the Herons head into the new season without the benefit of surprise and with a clear demand hanging over them, to prove the title wasn’t a one-off. The match at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva kicks off a demanding stretch in South America and immediately puts the roster under the microscope, especially in how it responds to recent changes.
The tour also includes games against Atlético Nacional and Barcelona SC before Inter Miami’s official 2026 MLS opener, on the road against LAFC. This is not a comfortable preseason. And, as is usually the case, everything starts and ends with Lionel Messi, the biggest name on the trip and the focal point in every stadium the team visits.
A remodeled Inter Miami with less cover
The Inter Miami arriving in Lima no longer has Sergio Busquets or Jordi Alba, both now retired, and that alone changes how the team functions. Losing two pillars forces the club to redistribute responsibility and speed up adjustments. In this new setup, the connection between Messi and Rodrigo De Paul immediately takes on greater importance.
Up front, Luis Suárez remains the reference point and helps preserve the team’s attacking identity. The winter signings point to a more balanced roster, with defensive and physical reinforcements such as Dayne St. Clair, David Ayala, Micael, Facundo Mura and Sergio Reguilón, who could make his debut as soon as Saturday. There’s also anticipation around the possible arrival of Germán Berterame, which would increase competition in the attacking line. Under Javier Mascherano, the challenge is to get things in sync quickly and compete from the opening whistle, without hiding flaws behind the friendly label.
An Alianza Lima in transition but strong at home
Alianza Lima come into the match in the middle of a transition. Peru’s second-most successful club, with 25 league titles, is undergoing a rebuild and trying to steady the environment after disciplinary decisions that sidelined experienced players. An uneven preseason in the Serie Río de la Plata has only added pressure on head coach Pablo Guede.
Even so, playing in Lima often changes the picture. The stadium is expected to be full, the atmosphere intense, and the presence of Paolo Guerrero adds emotional weight to the matchup. Alianza are also preparing for the Copa Libertadores, and facing the MLS champions serves both as a level check and a chance to respond to their own supporters.