Miami, FL – Major League Soccer (MLS) has fined Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount following a physical altercation with New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy. The incident occurred at the end of Saturday’s heated match between Inter Miami and NYCFC, which ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Chase Stadium.
Messi Caught on Camera in Heated Confrontation
Messi, the World Cup-winning captain of Argentina, was caught on video engaging in a tense exchange with Ballouchy after the final whistle. Footage shows Messi placing his hands on the back of Ballouchy’s neck twice during the argument.
MLS confirmed in an official statement that its Disciplinary Committee found Messi in violation of the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent” policy. As a result, he has been fined, though the exact amount remains undisclosed.
Tensions Rise After Controversial Match
Before the altercation with Ballouchy, Messi had already displayed visible frustration with referee Alexis Da Silva. The Argentine star confronted the official after the game, protesting a series of contentious calls. His actions led to a yellow card for dissent as he made his way toward the tunnel.
Messi’s frustration likely stemmed from the match’s chaotic final moments. He had just delivered a crucial assist to teammate Telasco Segovia, setting up a stoppage-time equalizer to rescue a point for Inter Miami. Earlier in the match, Inter Miami’s Tomás Avilés was shown a red card for a last-man foul on NYCFC forward Alonso Martinez, further intensifying the tension on the field.
Luis Suárez Also Penalized
Messi wasn’t the only player facing disciplinary action. His longtime friend and Miami teammate Luis Suárez received a similar fine for grabbing the back of NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck during a halftime altercation. The league has been firm in enforcing its conduct policies, emphasizing that such physical confrontations will not be tolerated.
Referee Controversies Continue for Messi
This incident marks the second time in a week that Messi has made headlines involving match officials. Earlier in the week, the referee in charge of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup opener against Sporting Kansas City was disciplined after asking Messi for his jersey post-game.
That match saw Messi score the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory, played in subzero temperatures in Kansas City. The unusual weather conditions sparked discussions about whether Messi could perform under extreme cold—a challenge he seemed to handle with ease.
What’s Next for Messi and Inter Miami?
Despite the controversy, Messi’s focus will now shift back to leading Inter Miami in their next MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures. The disciplinary fine is unlikely to significantly impact his season, but it serves as a reminder that even the world’s greatest players are not above league regulations.
Inter Miami will need their star player in top form as they continue their push for domestic and international success. With emotions running high early in the season, fans will be watching closely to see how Messi and his teammates respond to this latest setback.
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