Lionel Messi Grabs Coach’s Neck and Rages at Referee After Inter Miami v New York City

Lionel Messi was furious after Inter Miami’s first game of the MLS season, and he was seen grabbing a New York City FC coach by the neck. In horrifying scenes, the Argentine could be seen raging at the referee. After winning the Eastern Conference previous year, Miami experienced a heartbreaking collapse in the first round of the playoffs, being ousted by Atlanta United.

Messi and his teammates began the new season against New York, hoping to improve on their previous performance, but were forced to settle for a 2-2 tie. After taking the lead in the seventh minute through Tomas Aviles, the Florida-based team was forced to play the balance of the game with only 10 men after the defender was sent off 16 minutes later. The red card turned the game on its head, and Mitja Ilenic and Alonso Martinez scored to help New York recover.

Miami, however, refused to concede, and Telasco Segovia equalised in the 100th minute of the game. Messi also had another excellent effort, assisting on both of his team’s goals and reminding everyone why he is regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. He wasn’t happy when the full-time whistle was blown, which resulted in the eye-opening scenes.

Messi Angrily Confronted the Referee at Full Time

He then got into it with a New York coach

While Miami’s last-minute equaliser was cause for joy, things could have turned out differently if they hadn’t been dropped to ten men so early in the game, something Messi was unhappy about. He was also eager to express his frustrations, confronting referee Rosendo Mendoza following the final whistle. The Argentine confronted the official and angrily pointed at him before receiving a yellow card for his troubles.

Messi began to leave the pitch after saying his bit, but was interrupted by another incident, this time with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy. The former MLS player appeared to speak to the 37-year-old as he passed, resulting in a heated altercation. They were separated by a few of Inter Miami officials before Messi returned and grabbed Ballouchy’s neck.

🚨 Lionel Messi ended up furious with the referee after the controversial Inter Miami vs. New York match, which ended 2-2.

The Herons had to play over an hour with one player less.#MLS #Messi pic.twitter.com/wSGhtrZuuA

— MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) February 23, 2025