LIONEL MESSI usually the picture of calm had to be physically restrained from confronting the referee after Inter Miami suffered a humiliating 3–0 defeat to Los Angeles.
It was a nightmare start to the season for Miami, who were comprehensively outplayed by a side led by Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris.
Inter Miami’s squad, managed by Javier Mascherano, struggled to match the intensity and precision of their opponents, leaving Messi and his teammates visibly frustrated.
Last season, Messi’s magic had guided the team through turbulence to lift the championship, proving that even in the toughest moments, the Argentine could inspire miracles.
But today’s clash offered no silver linings. Miami were forced onto the back foot early, and the goals came quickly, compounding the sense of frustration on the pitch.
Fans at the stadium could sense the tension building, and it became palpable by the final whistle.
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Several controversial refereeing decisions, including a dubious offside call and a questionable penalty shout, left Miami feeling wronged.
At full time, cameras captured a rare scene, Messi storming toward the tunnel behind the match officials, his frustration evident for all to see.
It was a side of Messi rarely shown in public. Known for his calm demeanor and quiet leadership, this open display of anger startled even seasoned observers.
Luis Suarez, a former Barcelona teammate and close friend, stepped in quickly to calm Messi down and pulling him away.
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Suarez’s intervention prevented the situation from escalating further, reminding everyone of the rare peacemaker role he can play off the pitch.
Messi appeared to take a moment before letting Suarez guide him away from the tunnel.
His body language spoke volumes, tension, disbelief, and frustration all rolled into one.
Social media quickly exploded with reactions, with fans divided between concern for Messi and criticism of the refereeing decisions.
Memes and clips of the incident began circulating within minutes.
For Inter Miami, the result was a stark reality check. The team had hoped to carry last season’s momentum into the new campaign but the defeat underlined the challenges ahead.
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