Lionel Messi has been cleared of any wrongdoing after Major League Soccer reviewed his postmatch confrontation with referees following Inter Miami CF’s season-opening defeat to Los Angeles FC.
MLS Investigation Finds No Violation
Tensions ran high after Miami’s 3–0 loss in Los Angeles, with video showing Messi arguing with officials in the stadium tunnel before briefly following them through a doorway. Reports initially suggested the Argentine star had entered the referees’ locker room without authorization—a potential league policy violation.
However, the Professional Referee Organization confirmed that Messi never accessed the locker room area. Communications director Chris Rivett told ESPN the door did not lead to restricted premises, and the league’s disciplinary committee will take no further action.
Messi is expected to be available for Miami’s next match against Orlando City SC.
Frustrating Night for Miami
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner endured a difficult evening as LAFC dominated play at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Forward Denis Bouanga played a key role in the victory, contributing to two goals weeks after reportedly declining a move to Miami. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris also denied Miami’s few scoring chances, including an effort from Germán Berterame.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano argued the result was somewhat misleading, but statistics showed LAFC generated significantly more scoring opportunities and shots on target.
Defensive Issues Persist
LAFC exploited Miami’s vulnerability in transition—an issue that plagued the club last season. The absence of former midfield anchor Sergio Busquets, along with veteran defender Jordi Alba, was noticeable as Miami struggled to control the tempo.
Mascherano urged calm despite the heavy defeat, saying the team should not “make it a tragedy when we lose.” Still, Messi’s visible frustration underscored broader concerns about Miami’s defensive organization heading into the 2026 MLS campaign.
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