In the highly anticipated MLS season opener, Inter Miami’s star player, Lionel Messi, found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with the referee during the match against New York City FC. The iconic forward received a yellow card and was seen confronting an NYC FC assistant coach.
Fans were eager to witness Messi’s performance in Inter Miami’s MLS debut against New York City FC. While Messi delivered a stellar performance, contributing two crucial assists, the focus quickly shifted to the post-match turmoil, where he confronted referee Rosendo Mendoza and grabbed an NYC FC assistant coach by the neck.
The match against NYC FC escalated quickly. Following an early goal from Inter Miami, center-back Tomas Aviles was sent off, giving NYC FC an advantage. However, Messi’s late assist to Telasco Segovia ensured the game ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
After the final whistle, Messi approached referee Mendoza to express his frustration over controversial calls. The Argentine star received a yellow card after a tense exchange with the referee.
Messi’s grievances extended beyond the yellow card. He pointed out a foul committed by Keaton Parks on Luis Suarez in the 48th minute, insisting it warranted a card that never came.
As he left the field, Messi had a brief encounter with Mehdi Ballouchy, NYC FC’s assistant coach, who made a comment that triggered Messi’s reaction. In a moment of frustration, Messi grabbed Ballouchy by the neck before exiting the pitch, highlighting the intensity of the night.
Coach Mascherano Praises Messi’s Competitiveness
In addition to his remarkable performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup opener against Sporting Kansas City, Messi played the full 90 minutes in his MLS debut, showcasing his ability to push his team forward with two exceptional assists. Post-match, coach Javier Mascherano expressed admiration for Messi’s impact:
“Messi is the soul of this team. You saw this on the pitch. He is a kid playing and he doesn’t want to lose. So for us it’s a big big advantage. We just need to keep him with this spirit,” Mascherano stated during the press conference.
“Because it’s not just what he does on the pitch, it’s what he translates to his teammates and all that he does with his 37 years. He’s not just playing in attack, he helps us in defense, running the centre-back, running the whole midfield. So he’s magnificent,” Mascherano concluded.
