Lionel Messi grabs coach around the neck in shock MLS act for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi snapped after Inter Miami’s opening match of the MLS season, grabbing a coach by the neck and berating a referee.
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi saw red but only earned a yellow card after a furious bust-up with a referee, before grabbing an assistant coach by the neck in a fiery MLS clash with New York City FC.
The Argentinian World Cup winner was in action for Miami on Sunday (AEDT) when his temper got the better of him, The Sun reports.
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The game ended 2-2, with Messi setting up a late equaliser for his side after a trademark slalom run.
However, after the final whistle the Barcelona legend appeared unhappy with his team’s result in their MLS opener.
First, he angrily berated referee Rosendo Mendoza as Messi’s meltdown began.
Watch the moments in the video player below
The ref moved back, gesturing for the playmaker to walk away, but Messi kept coming towards him.
As he continued to talk and point his finger in Mendoza’s direction, the official brandished a yellow card for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
That didn’t deter Messi, who continued his tirade before finally making his way off the pitch.
But, the Argie bargy didn’t end there.
As a disgruntled Messi exited the fray, New York City FC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy appeared to say something to him.
That further riled the little Argentinian up, who covered his mouth with his hand during their fiery exchange.
Two Inter Miami assistants then joined the heated argument with the intent of diffusing the situation.
At that moment, Messi looked like he was going to leave the situation, until he appeared to take exception to another comment and returned to put his hand on Ballouchy’s neck.
Messi then gave Ballouchy’s neck a squeeze and pulled the assistant towards him.
The Moroccan appeared unhappy with Messi’s actions and gave him a stare.
That prompted Messi, who by now was walking off the field, to gesture towards the coach to come with him.
One video of the incidents on X described Messi’s actions as “embarrassing behaviour”, while another was titled “the whole angry Messi clip”.
It was another heated moment in a match that also featured Inter’s opening goal scorer Tomas Aviles sent off in the 23rd minute.
Aviles scored the first goal in just the fifth minute of the match, with New York then replying with strikes from Mitja Ilenic and Alonso Martinez in the 26th and 55th minutes respectively.
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Miami then secured an equaliser through Telasco Segovia deep into second half stoppage time.
Inter Miami are next in action in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round on Wednesday against Sporting KC.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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