Major League Soccer has fined Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami captain grabbed a New York City FC coach by the neck.
An enraged Messi could be seen approaching NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy and grabbing the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
MLS also fined Luis Suarez for violating the same 'face/head/neck of an opponent policy' during halftime, when he pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa's neck. The precise amount each player was fined is unclear.
The 37-year-old Messi initially fumed at the referee after Inter Miami's 2-2 draw on Saturday night.
Messi had salvaged a point for Miami in their MLS opener, after weaving through New York City FC's defense to set up Telasco Segovia for a last-gasp goal.
But the Argentine star then suffered a dramatic meltdown following the final whistle. Messi first confronted the referee, angrily pointing at Rosendo Mendoza and berating the official.
The referee instructed Messi to walk away, only for the 37-year-old to continue his complaints. That earned him a yellow card.
As Messi then made his way off the field, NYCFC's Ballouchy appeared to say something to the Inter Miami captain, sparking to a fiery exchange between the pair.
Two Miami assistants stepped in to diffuse the situation, and it appeared Messi was ready to walk away.
But the 37-year-old then returned and put his hand on Ballouchy's neck - much to the coach's shock.
Yenciklstz
0
messi should relax and enjoy soccer....after all its just a game for public enjoyment nothing more...!!!
Lotdlmnsz
1
This big problem was created for the bad call of the referee, he is no good , he should suspend for one year , and takes to the referees school ,
Lotdlmnsz
0
La única persona que creó este problema fue el referí , por mal arbitraje, a él es quien tienen que suspender por malo menos un año , por no arbitrar bien y crear problemas muy delicados por su mal arbitraje
Yoeadklor
1
MESSI in GANGSTA mode.. Never thought I'd see this from Messi who's been a model of composure. That coach must have said something about his wife Antonella to get him so pissed off. LoL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
wizluvawak4u
0
There's nothing to defend he is human after all
better as you know so that if another player do it we will all believe too that he is a human
Dizelmrt
1
the Goat is Angry...
Blaqpablo
1
come back incomplete 🤐
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You haven't beaten them this season either when last did you even beat ATM
Blaqpablo
0
cannot pretend to be Mr nice guy anymore,
He doesn't pretend even Mr nice guy can get angry he is human
Blaqpablo
0
Only fine if it was other players then they should ban or kicked out from league, that’s why he got 8 Bdor and World Cup by favor of FIFA officials….bul***t
Mumu don talk
Blaqpablo
0
Messi always acts like a tout, with his win by all means syndrome
That's why he is the most successful player ever
Blaqpablo
0
this is the difference... 40 years old guru
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Guess you gotta show us their trophies at the end of the season
Blaqpablo
0
messi fan now gather to the media to defend him thus as they said...well we have nothing to said because he is mr good guy and he never do that before so it was a save defend
[image]
There's nothing to defend he is human after all
Blaqpablo
0
You better focus on your relegation team
cukkmouy
0
ban him life from footballing ⚽️ this corrupted boy
wisbdiuyz
2
And it will be all over the news
ChigozirimwisdomOnu
3
Shameless arrogant player 😂
wizluvawak4u
3
messi fan now gather to the media to defend him thus as they said...well we have nothing to said because he is mr good guy and he never do that before so it was a save defend
tudbclostz
0
Give red card to the coach because his neck is grabbing Messi’s hand
hahahahahaha. neck grabbing messi's hand
Rukabdnsz
0
this is the difference... 40 years old guru
[image]
Your post and comment has no sense because you did not check their minute they use in field first before praising your foolish 🐐
De-D
3
suarez to the coach
De-D
1
Give red card to the coach because his neck is grabbing Messi’s hand
it's a privilege for Messi's hand to touch him 😔😔😔😔
magnumpi
1
be thankful that Suarez did not bite him but pinch him
Debbkrsuz
5
most Argentina are bad guys
magnumpi
1
be thankful that Suarez did not bite him but pinch hin
Ibe7
6
this is the difference... 40 years old guru
AbSixers
0
Give red card to the coach because his neck is grabbing Messi’s hand
save your tears, you'll cry more in 2026 world cup
Yaser_Sobhan
3
Sometimes he can't hide his true identity that many people still don't know about.
DavidOscar
0
And nothing happened more than an unknown amount as fine. Fifa rules are only against Madrid players.
Why bringing Madrid into this?? Messi is in MLS
Shmonny
13
🎙 Cristian Tello: “When I had a baby, we played a match against Levante, and everyone brought me gifts except Messi. He congratulated me and said, ‘Your gift will be on the pitch.’ “We went into the match, and he gave me three assists. I scored a hat-trick. After the game, I took the ball with me and entered the locker room. Before I could even thank him, he said, ‘Give me the ball.’ I handed it to him, and he signed it with my son’s name. He hugged me and said, ‘This is your son’s gift.’ “I couldn’t find the words to express my gratitude. A gift in his own way, in the place he loves, making the difficult look easy. He is the king of world football.”
dawbcknpsu
0
😂😂yellow card
V_Hernandez
0
messi is on some thug energy bwai lives in Miami u got to understand
huoabestuz
0
😂😂 that guy want to cut off coach neck, CR7 won't do foolish things like that
he only pushes referees,which Messi doesn't 🤣🤣🤣
Fauzsmail
0
this two player didn't deliver good and peaceful behavior character to the fans in USA they bring hatred and ruins
pointless
Damcdeinsy
0
They've been looking for ways to downplay his success and now Messi just handed them one. Well, they say 99 good plus 1bad, equal a 100% bad. All the hate won't change the fact that he's THE GOAT🐐✌🏾✊🏾
just hand of goat bro ....look at him the way he behave you piz of shit
Damcdeinsy
2
this two player didn't deliver good and peaceful behavior character to the fans in USA they bring hatred and ruins
LEO-MESSI-GOAT30
0
come back incomplete 🤐
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you were waiting all night to type this🤡
Pumaknrtu
0
They've been looking for ways to downplay his success and now Messi just handed them one. Well, they say 99 good plus 1bad, equal a 100% bad. All the hate won't change the fact that he's THE GOAT🐐✌🏾✊🏾
you are a blind fool.
Pumaknrtu
4
Messi always acts like a tout, with his win by all means syndrome
Ribbemoru
5
Fifa says this calls for celebrations for Messi grabbing the referee neck
ArmaniK
2
They've been looking for ways to downplay his success and now Messi just handed them one. Well, they say 99 good plus 1bad, equal a 100% bad. All the hate won't change the fact that he's THE GOAT🐐✌🏾✊🏾
wuyaeiptu
2
Only fine if it was other players then they should ban or kicked out from league, that’s why he got 8 Bdor and World Cup by favor of FIFA officials….bul***t
u know the truth. He worked for all he has. ucl 2009 final against ronaldo, ucl 2011 semis against ronaldo still speak more sense than u have posted
Yosacdilpt
7
Only fine if it was other players then they should ban or kicked out from league, that’s why he got 8 Bdor and World Cup by favor of FIFA officials….bul***t
tuccdeiptu
1
no need for the punishment please gave him penalty...he is the only living hand of goat respect...not the football real goat.
Sonaekyz
6
If Ronaldo did this he will have like 10 matches ban.
Harshit1
0
And nothing happened more than an unknown amount as fine. Fifa rules are only against Madrid players.
He literally was Fined according to the rules
retcistz
5
cannot pretend to be Mr nice guy anymore,
jotbclmopz
8
😂😂 that guy want to cut off coach neck, CR7 won't do foolish things like that
loceimnptz
4
And nothing happened more than an unknown amount as fine. Fifa rules are only against Madrid players.