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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine icon has clashed with officials</li><li>Left frustrated at questionable decisions</li><li>Herons have been struggling for results</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Didn’t know the rule!' - Lionel Messi slams MLS referees as Inter Miami superstar calls on league to 'look at' standards of officiating

FIFA Club World Cup

Al Ahly SC

Inter Miami CF

<p>The Argentine superstar has been quick to air his frustrations over recent weeks, with Inter Miami enduring an uncharacteristic <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-reacts-bad-results-complicated-form-inter-miami-mls-outfit-more-united/blta1733070139441df" target="_blank">wobble that has delivered five defeats through their last seven games</a> in all competitions.</p><div data-name="Apple TV" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;" class="logo"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-furious-messi-grabs-opposition-coach-neck-argues-referee-inter-miami-dramatic-draw-2025-mls-season-opener/blt1bceab90335cee19" target="_blank">grabbed a rival coach by the neck</a> following a dramatic draw with New York City FC in February, before angrily confronting the match officials at the end of a stalemate against the San Jose Earthquakes - with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/unlikely-saviour-lionel-messi-ridiculous-red-card-inter-miami-match-officials-mls-draw-san-jose-earthquakes/blt5d1c21d6b7cd4b27" target="_blank">former USMNT coach Bruce Arena saving him from a red card there</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also had a bone to pick with those in charge of making important on-field decisions after seeing Inter Miami suffer a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/inter-miami-player-ratings-vs-orlando-city-lionel-messi-and-luis-suarez-lack-ideas-defense-falls-apart-in-rivalry-blowout-as-herons-go-winless-in-6-of-last-7/blt6435b725664ad9c6" target="_blank">derby defeat to Florida neighbours Orlando</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>He told <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/lionel-messi-inter-miami-search-for-answers-it-hurts-to-lose-another-game   " target="_blank"><em>Apple TV</em></a>: “We had a great first half, we were attacking, creating scoring chances. Then there was a strange play where one of their players gave the [Orlando] goalkeeper a pass and the referee said, he told me, he didn’t know the rule and didn’t see it that way.
</p><p>“From there came their long pass and the goal. Sometimes there are errors in critical moments. It happened in the last game, too. Not excuses, but there are always issues with referees and I think MLS has to look at some of the officiating.”</p>

WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

<p>Messi is, as the most decorated player of all-time, a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/world-cup-final-mls-training-lionel-messi-win-every-game-inter-miami-robert-taylor-explains-argentine-goat/blt7da9315808b3b61a" target="_blank">born winner and will never take losing lightly</a>. He demands the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/unacceptable-tie-game-lionel-messi-annoyed-draws-demanding-mindset-inter-miami-superstar-revealed-mls-team-mate/blted2e61a77794d48a" target="_blank">highest standards of himself and those around him</a>, with more major silverware being chased down in 2025.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Didn’t know the rule!' - Lionel Messi slams MLS referees as Inter Miami superstar calls on league to 'look at' standards of officiating | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has slammed the standard of MLS officiating, claiming that the referee in Inter Miami’s clash with Orlando City &quot;didn’t know the rules&quot;.

&apos;Didn’t know the rule!&apos; - Lionel Messi slams MLS referees as Inter Miami superstar calls on league to &apos;look at&apos; standards of officiating

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