Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi received an undisclosed fine from Major League Soccer for placing his hand on the neck of New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy. The confrontation occurred moments after a tense 2-2 draw last Saturday when Messi appeared visibly frustrated with several refereeing decisions. He was already on a yellow card for dissent and left the pitch in a heated conversation with the official.
Messi initially walked away, then returned to speak with Ballouchy. Video footage shows the Argentine star putting his right hand on the back of the coach’s neck, prompting Ballouchy to recoil. MLS later stated that both Messi and his teammate Luis Suárez “violated the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.”
The MLS also fined Suárez for a halftime incident in which he grabbed NYC defender Birk Risa’s neck. Neither player has issued a public comment.
Tempers flare as Miami salvages a draw
The match itself boiled up high drama. Inter Miami fell to ten men early when Tomás Avilés received a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Despite being a man short, Miami battled back. Messi delivered two assists, including a stoppage-time pass for Telasco Segovia’s equalizer.
That late goal seemed to spark a fresh wave of tension. Spectators reported hearing raised voices, and as the final whistle blew, Messi approached the match officials. The refs promptly booked him for protests.
Messi’s actions toward Ballouchy drew swift scrutiny online. Fans remain divided about whether the league’s biggest star had crossed a line. Some pointed to passion and competitive drive, while others voiced concerns about the message it sends to younger players. Does the MLS call set the right precedent?
Although MLS did not reveal the exact figure of Messi’s fine, it is known to be a disciplinary measure in US currency. Fines in the league can vary widely, but the undisclosed amount signals a serious response to physical confrontations—especially those involving the head or neck.
This wasn’t the first high-profile controversy for Inter Miami’s star duo. Earlier that week, Suárez was involved in a sideline scuffle, while Messi drew attention when a referee from a different match was reprimanded for requesting his jersey post-game. Both events highlight the intense spotlight surrounding the club since Messi’s arrival last year.
Inter Miami has yet to announce any additional internal penalties. The team will now focus on its next league fixture, where eyes will no doubt linger on Messi’s interactions with opposing players and staff. The Argentine will also look to channel his emotions back into his on-field performances, just as he did by setting up two crucial goals against NYC FC.
For now, the league hopes its response will set a precedent. Certain boundaries should not be crossed, even for the GOAT.
