Frank Christian
Lionel Messi and the Inter Miami team are currently facing a challenging phase, experiencing a string of disappointing performances in their recent games.
In their latest Major League Soccer match on May 18 at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Orlando City. This loss marked their third defeat in the last five league encounters.
Previously, the Herons missed a significant opportunity for club history, getting knocked out of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal last month.
During this challenging period, Messi has also expressed concerns over refereeing decisions within the MLS.
Following a dramatic 3-3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on May 14, Messi had a confrontation with referee Joe Dickerson, resulting in a yellow card for the Argentine star. He narrowly avoided a red card, thanks to the intervention of the San Jose coaching staff, who restrained him from escalating the situation.
Messi also disagreed with the referee’s calls during the game against Orlando. The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient has now raised his concerns regarding officiating directly to the MLS.
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What did Lionel Messi comment?
Orlando City opened the scoring in the 43rd minute after Inter Miami attempted to pass to goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The referee didn’t deem it a pass, which allowed Gallese’s long goal kick to catch the Herons’ defense off balance, resulting in Luis Muriel scoring.
Messi clearly disagreed with the referee’s decision, and after the match, he highlighted some ‘specific mistakes’ on Apple TV, urging the MLS to pay more attention to refereeing issues (comments via Marca).
“I think we had a strong first half today. We were attacking and creating chances while they had to play long balls. But from a confusing play where one of their players sent a ball to the goalkeeper—a scenario where the referee admitted he didn’t understand the rule—a goal resulted from that error,” Messi remarked.
“However, there are moments when specific errors occur, like the last match against the San Jose Earthquakes. They’re not excuses, but something often arises with the referees at critical moments. I believe MLS needs to scrutinize the refereeing issues more closely,” he stated.
Messi and his team will be back in action on May 24, facing the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.
Updates and related news on Lionel Messi
- Inter Miami manager expresses clear desire for Lionel Messi to participate in the 2026 World Cup
- Lionel Messi calls on Inter Miami to solidify as a ‘true team’ amidst their recent struggles in the MLS
- Major claim made by Inter Miami star regarding Lionel Messi’s 2026 World Cup involvement
