Lionel Messi again hit the headlines-not everyone was a positive-just draw of Inter Miami 2-2 with New York.
Messi played a key role in Miami to grab the last draw, slip through the ball, allowing the Telasco Segovia to equalize at a pulsating pulling out 2-2.
The Argentine superstar had previously assisted the Miami opener via Tot Aviles.
Aviles was then sent, and New York fully used Mitja Ilenic and Alonso Martinez goals, and it seemed like they were moving into an impressive outdoor victory for the new MLS season to the late SEGOVIA intervention.
So why did Messi receive criticism?
Messi is not often animated, but he was obviously angry with Judge Rosendo Mendoza’s performance.
Miami was dissatisfied not only by Aviles’s red card, but also by the official failure to reject New York Strahinja Tanasijavic just before halftime.
Messi persistently prevailed Mendoz in the last whistle, aggressively persecuted him and pointed him in his face before a yellow card was shown to him.
Conflict with Ballouchy
Messi was not over and, as he walked toward the touch line, he became involved in a conversation with New York’s auxiliary coach Mehdi Ballouchy.
It seemed pretty kind at the beginning, but after he left at first, Messi then turned and squeezed the back of Ballouchy’s neck and seemingly gestured to meet the couple inside.
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The right side of the ‘humble Lionel Messi’.
He maintained the disrespect for the judge until he booked and then continued to grab his auxiliary coach by his neck.
Shameful behavior. Man a child.pic.twitter.com/6lyg6repax
– CR7 time strip. (@Timelinecr7) 23. February 2025
What is happening now?
The MLS Disciplinary Committee views every game.
The Committee consists of a former referee of MLS, former MLS coach three former MLS players.
If Messi’s behavior does not belong to the committee parameters, the league can still surrender the sanction.
What could Messi charge for?
It is a little probably that his compound to the match will be re -examined while Mendoza acted at the time.
However, the conflict with Ballouchy was not.
MLS guidelines include the rule for which individuals of the state testified that they contacted the face, head and/or neck of the opponent, which will encourage or escalate an individual incident (as determined by the Disciplinary Committee) to receive a minimum penalty. “
If the Committee considers a fine that it is not enough, they could ban one or more games.
What did Miami Boss Mascheran say?
Javier Mascherano refused to talk directly about Messi’s behavior, but clearly strengthened his dissatisfaction with Mendoza’s account.
He said, “We cannot control how the judge can decide to serve, and I do not like to give an opinion because one day they are favored by you, the other day. It is just as it is.
“And I don’t believe in bad intentions, far from it. They have the right to go wrong as we all make mistakes.”
Mascherano, however, has singled out his former colleague Argentina for praise, adding: “Messi is the soul of this team. You have seen it on the field. He is a playing child and does not want to lose.
“So, for us it is a great, great advantage. So, we just need to keep it with that spirit. Because it is not just what he does on the field.
“This is what he translates to his teammates and everything he does at the age of 37. Not only plays in the attack, but helps us in defense, running the central back, running the whole midfielder. So he is magnificent.”
What next for Miami and Messi?
On Tuesday night, Miami returns to action when they face Sporting Kansas City in the second part of their Concacaf Compion Cup first round.
Messi scored the only goal in the first game last week after fixing was delayed in 24 hours due to cold weather.
