Lionel Messi has undoubtedly raised the sports of major league soccer and soccer in the US with his mere presence. All eyes are in Messi. That’s why his viral video, squeezing the back of the neck of conflicting coaches, must be properly addressed by the league following the opening weekend of the 2025 season.
Messi made active contact with New York City’s FC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy, with the coach turning to the Intermiami star and clenching his shoulders. Messi also received a yellow card to discuss with the referee after a final whistle in a 2-2 draw on Saturday night. The case with the assistant could be reviewed by the MLS Disciplinary Committee this week.
The sequence between Messi, Messi and Ballouchy, a former 10-year MLS player, turned assistant coaches from Morocco, but was widely seen on social media after the game. Lead MLS and Apple TV analyst Taylor Twellman wrote on Sunday: Grab the assistant coach with his neck. Go after reference. ”
Certainly, Messi is not due to Messi as the 30th season in the league where he is likely to be the sport’s best player.
An MLS spokesman, like the NYCFC, declined to comment on the incident. Representatives from Messi and Intermiami did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee reviews all games on a daily basis. The league will not normally comment on the case under investigation until a final decision is reached after appeal. If the case does not fall under the parameters of a committee review, the league office can still issue sanctions. The committee consists of a former MLS referee, a former MLS coach and three former MLS players.
At the very least, Messi should be fined and forced to apologise for his actions. MLS doesn’t have to model him with overwhelming discipline, but the league’s players, coaches, personnel and fans look closely to see how Messi’s actions are handled.
The arrival of the Argentine World Cup champions at the MLS in the summer of 2023 led to a global exposure in the league, and his bestselling jerseys have elevated InterMiami as an international soccer brand. Messi, 37, has signed a contract with InterMiami throughout the 2025 MLS season and has yet to declare whether he will play in the next World Cup hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
“Leo Messi is a game changer for our league and our sports and we are gaining recognition all over the world,” MLS Commissioner Don Gerber said, “Onside: Major League Soccer. ” he spoke to USA Today Sports in an interview with Prime Minister Miami in the documentary. week.
Once the Inter Miami match was over, I asked Messi to retreat before drawing a yellow card at Messi’s instructions.
After Messi left the officials, Balaussy began a conversation with Messi near the sidelines. Messi temporarily left, and Intermiami assistant Javier Morales also approached Baruchy. Messi then returned to his assistant and was seen squeezing the back of Ballouchy’s neck.
It is unclear where contact with Messi’s assistant coach is located, but the case is subject to review by the Disciplinary Committee. The MLS guidelines state that in a wide range of rules, “at the sole and absolute discretion of the League Office, it shall be imposed on players, coaches or other team personnel for behaviour that is harmful to the League.” It’s there. ”
“Hands to the opponent’s face/head/neck” have been seen to have been contacted by the Disciplinary Committee on the face, head and/or neck of the opponent incited or escalated an individual incident (Individuals) are required. You will receive a minimum fine. “However, this rule is intended for player interaction during the game.
Messi assisted twice in a draw with New York City. One was saved by Aviles and one by Terrace Cosegovia in the 100th minute, the club’s home opener tie. Messi, Sergio Basquetz and Luis Suarez were calls for contests with staff during and after the match.
Intermiami played with just 10 players against the NYCFC’s 11 after Aviles was ejected in 23 minutes and quickly received a red card to tackle the players. Intermiami legend fought that NYCFC’s Strahinja Tanasijević should have received the second yellow card and subsequent ejection just before halftime. Tanasijević received the yellow card for Suarez’s tackle, but he didn’t do so when he worked on the basket shortly afterwards.
“We have no control over how the judge decides to preside over him. I don’t want to give his opinion because one day they don’t support you. That’s exactly what it is,” says Inter in Miami. Coach Javier Mascherano said after the match. “And I’m far from it and don’t believe in bad intentions. They have the right to make mistakes as we all make mistakes.”
Intermiami was approved by the Concacaf Disciplinary Committee last April for an incident involving Messi, following a Champions Cup match against La Liga MX side Monterrey at Chase Stadium.
Messi and several other members of Intermiami reportedly faced coach and refereeing Fernando Ortiz in the locker room area after a 2-1 loss to Monterrey on April 3, 2024. And “I want to fight me” in the audio clip he said, is shared with a close friend before it’s published and leads to an apology.
CONCACAF fined InterMiami for a private amount due to lack of security at the stadium.
Intermiami will return to action at home on Tuesday, playing against Sports Kansas City in the second round of the Concacafu Champions Cup matchup. Intermiami leads the series 1-0 in the overall score behind Messi’s goal. This is during a one-day postponed game that was postponed last Wednesday at sub-freezing temperatures in Kansas City, Kansas.
Intermiami’s second MLS game for the season will be played against the Houston Dynamo on March 2nd, in the second edition of the league’s Sunday Night Soccer showcase.
While the moment of controversy with Messi’s opponents and officials highlights his competitive nature, beloved by fans all over the world, this incident with an assistant coach has led to his career united. Draw Messi with negative light from the way you remember until the end.
Messi may be the biggest star to play in the MLS, but that’s exactly why the league should punish him just like any other player.