Lionel Messi Attempts to Confront Referee After Inter Miami's 3-0 MLS Defeat
Argentine legend Lionel Messi was captured on camera attempting to confront the referee following Inter Miami's 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in the 2026 Major League Soccer opener. The incident occurred shortly after the final whistle at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, February 21, where Messi, the Inter Miami captain, appeared visibly frustrated with the officiating.
Match Details and Key Moments
Los Angeles FC dominated the match, taking the lead in the 38th minute with a goal from David Martinez, assisted by Korean international Son Heung-min. They extended their advantage in the 73rd minute, and Nathan Ordaz sealed the victory with a goal in the 94th minute, resulting in a perfect 3-0 win for the home side. Son was substituted off in the 89th minute, just before LAFC's final goal.
Messi's Confrontation with Officials
In a video shared on social media platform X, Messi was seen trying to force his way into the officials' dressing room after the match. Teammate Luis Suarez attempted to hold him back, but Messi persisted, briefly entering the room before re-emerging seconds later with Suarez and heading to Inter Miami's changing room. It remains unclear whether Messi directly confronted referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere or his assistants during this encounter.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
Football fans worldwide have reacted strongly to Messi's actions. Some, like @lebar4real, suggested he was provoked, stating, "He must have been provoked. Everyone has this kind of moment one way or the other." Others, such as @cryptiq0, speculated on the intensity of the situation, writing, "Whatever that ref said or didn’t call must’ve been CRAZY. Messi barely crashes out like that so you know tensions were high." However, @mr_yatt1 criticized Messi, saying, "This is absolute unacceptable from Messi. Refs should never be harassed for doing their job. If you are not comfortable with the referee’s decisions, there are chains of command that must be followed. He needs to be punished according to the rule book." Additionally, @thediabetes_doc commented, "If it was Ronaldo the Internet would have been filled with the news. Messi has always been a sore loser. Accept the results and move on."
Coach's Response and Team Outlook
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano addressed the defeat, emphasizing the need for improvement. He stated, "We clearly know we have a lot to improve. We need to keep building on the positive things we’ve done, correct the mistakes we made, and keep moving forward." This loss marks a challenging start to the 2026 MLS season for Inter Miami, who will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Historical Context and Similar Incidents
This incident echoes past controversies in football, such as when Algerian national team players confronted a match official after their 2-0 loss to Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, risking sanctions from CAF. Such events highlight ongoing tensions between players and referees in high-stakes matches.
