Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer (MLS) after an intense confrontation in Inter Miami’s season opener against New York City FC (NYCFC) on Saturday. The reigning league MVP was caught on camera grabbing the neck of NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy as he walked off the field, sparking controversy.
The heated moment followed a tense end to the game, where Messi, visibly frustrated, had just received a yellow card for an exchange with the referee. In a statement released on Tuesday, MLS confirmed the fine, citing a violation of the league’s “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent” policy.
Messi wasn’t the only Miami player penalized. His longtime teammate, Luis Suárez, was also fined for a similar incident after grabbing the back of NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck during the first half. Inter Miami has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the disciplinary actions.
Despite the controversy, the match ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Miami salvaging a point in stoppage time. NYCFC initially took a 2-1 lead after goals from Mitja Ilenič and Alonso Martínez, but Miami found a last-minute equalizer thanks to Messi’s brilliance. The Argentine star, who had already provided an assist earlier in the game, set up Telasco Segovia, who calmly chipped the ball into the net.
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Miami had to fight through adversity after being reduced to 10 men in the first half, following a controversial decision that saw Tomás Avilés sent off despite appearing to win the ball.
The drama didn’t end there. Just days later, Inter Miami bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Messi, Suárez, and Tadeo Allende all found the back of the net, sealing Miami’s place in the round of 16.
As the dust settles, all eyes remain on Messi and Inter Miami, with fans and analysts debating whether the MLS fines signal a crackdown on high-profile player behavior or just another chapter in Messi’s legendary career.
