Lionel Messi’s emotions boiled over in a dramatic ending to Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with New York City FC on Saturday night.
The Argentine superstar, who had earlier provided a trademark assist for a late equalizer, made headlines for all the wrong reasons after a fiery confrontation with the referee and an assistant coach.
Messi Confronts the Referee, Then Escalates the Tension
Tensions flared after the final whistle as Messi stormed toward referee Rosendo Mendoza, pointing his finger aggressively while voicing his frustration.
The official wasted no time in flashing a yellow card, but that did little to calm the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
As Messi made his way off the pitch, he exchanged words with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy.
The situation quickly escalated when Messi, visibly furious, reached for Ballouchy’s neck before walking away. The incident added fuel to an already intense night, which saw Inter Miami’s Tomas Aviles sent off earlier in the match.
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— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) February 23, 2025
The real side of the ‘humble Lionel Messi.’
Kept disrespecting the referee until he got booked and then went on to grab their assistant coach by the neck.
Embarrassing behaviour. Man child.pic.twitter.com/6LYG6REpAx
Inter Miami Faces Quick Turnaround
With emotions still high, Messi and his teammates must quickly shift focus to their next challenge—the CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round clash against Sporting KC on Tuesday.
Ronaldo Nazario Weighs in on Messi vs. Cristiano Debate
Meanwhile, Messi fans found new bragging rights in the eternal G.O.A.T debate, thanks to Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario.
In a social media game where R9 had to pick between two players, he confidently chose himself over Cristiano Ronaldo, sparking debate among fans. However, when asked to choose between Messi and Ronaldo, he hesitated briefly before answering: “Messi.”
This subtle endorsement from the former Real Madrid star was quickly seized upon by Messi’s supporters, who saw it as another win in the never-ending battle over football’s greatest-ever player.
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