An enraged Lionel Messi grabbed the neck of an opposing coach and fumed at the referee after Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw on Saturday night.
Messi salvaged a point for the Herons in their MLS opener as he weaved through New York City FC’s defense and set up Telasco Segovia for a goal in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time.
But the Argentine star was seemingly dissatisfied with the result, as video from after the final whistle shows him melting down.
An enraged Lionel Messi grabbed the neck of an opposing coach and fumed at the referee after Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw on Saturday night.
Messi salvaged a point for the Herons in their MLS opener as he weaved through New York City FC’s defense and set up Telasco Segovia for a goal in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time.
But the Argentine star was seemingly dissatisfied with the result, as video from after the final whistle shows him melting down.
Messi first got in the face of the referee, as he angrily pointed at official Rosendo Mendoza and continued berating him.
The referee gestured for Messi to walk away but he continued talking, earning himself a yellow card.
Messi even briefly continued arguing with the referee after his booking before finally making his way off the field.
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Lionel Messi grabbed the neck of NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy after a 2-2 draw
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He also fumed at referee Rosendo Mendoza and earned himself a yellow card with his arguing
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Messi’s team played most of the match with 10 men as they earned a late point at home
On his way to the sideline, NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy appeared to say something to Messi, which led to a fiery exchange between the pair as the Miami star covered his mouth.
Two Miami assistants stepped in to diffuse the situation, and it looked as though Messi was about to exit the situation before he returned and put his hand on Ballouchy’s neck for several seconds.
Ballouchy, a former MLS player from Morocco, looked stunned as Messi finally walked off the field – and gestured for the coach to come with him.
It’s not clear what set Messi off towards Ballouchy or Mendoza, though the latter sent off Miami’s Tomas Aviles in the 23rd minute of the game for a last-ditch tackle on Alonso Martínez.
Aviles opened the score for Miami in the fifth minute – also via a Messi assist – before New York City’s Mitja Ilenic levelled the match in the 26th.
Martinez later pounced on a Miami giveaway in the 55th minute to give the visitors a lead, before Miami tied it up late.
Miami now has a quick turnaround ahead of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first round on Tuesday against Sporting KC, who they lead 1-0.
