Brits Abroad: McTominay & Kane chase down titles

Perfect parting gift? Trent silences the haters in style

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: Is Rice now in the race?

The best Didier Drogba interview you'll ever read

Saka stars despite kicking in easy Arsenal win

Editors' Picks

WATCH: Son's priceless reaction as he's asked if he's better than Salah

How to buy Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey tickets

Scotland World Cup 2026 qualifying: Group, fixtures & results 

Santos Laguna vs Monterrey: Stream, TV & where to watch

Where to watch Ronaldo's Al-Nassr games: Stream & TV info

How to buy Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey tickets

Where to watch & stream MLS games live

Man Utd live stream and TV channel broadcast info

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Herons required 100th-minute leveller</li><li>Played with 10 men for much of the game</li><li>Captain let frustration show at final whistle</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>

VIDEO: Furious Messi grabs opposition coach by the neck & argues with referee after Inter Miami’s dramatic draw in 2025 MLS season opener

CONCACAF Champions Cup

Vancouver Whitecaps

Inter Miami CF

Major League Soccer

Toronto FC

New York City FC

<p>The Herons opened their 2025 campaign on home soil against rivals from the Big Apple. They took the lead inside five minutes, but were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Tomas Aviles was shown a red card.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><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" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Lionel Messi ended up furious with the referee after the controversial Inter Miami vs. New York match, which ended 2-2. <br><br>The Herons had to play over an hour with one player less.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Messi</a> <a href="https://t.co/wSGhtrZuuA">pic.twitter.com/wSGhtrZuuA</a></p>— MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MARCAinENGLISH/status/1893505936532136339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</center>

WATCH THE CLIP

<p>Messi’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-records-two-assists-as-10-man-inter-miami-steals-late-point-vs-nycfc-in-2025-mls-opener/blt22f5c14f80b4d4f0" target="_blank">second assist of the game was required in the 100th minute to snatch a point</a> from a 2-2 draw. While the Argentine superstar was able to ensure that his side were not left completely empty-handed, he was still fuming at the final whistle.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Cameras caught Messi involved in a heated exchange with match official Rosendo Mendoza, leading to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner being shown a yellow card. The 37-year-old forward was not done there, as he ran into NYCFC coaches when making his way off the field.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Another exchange saw Messi take issue with Nehdi Ballouchy, New York’s former MLS star assistant. It appeared at one stage as though Messi had made his point and was prepared to walk away, but he then put his hands on Ballouchy’s neck for several seconds – generating a bemused look from the coach in question, who was invited to join Inter Miami’s captain in heading down the tunnel.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>The incident proves that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kid-playing-doesnt-want-lose-lionel-messi-soul-praise-inter-miami-boss-argentine-goat-inspiration-mls/bltc7b1dfca6d3408ff" target="_blank">Messi has lost none of his passion for the game</a>, with anything but victory leaving him frustrated. Inter Miami will be hoping that their skipper has calmed down slightly by the time that they face <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-rivals-demand-review-referee-lionel-messi-shirt-request-mexican-official-shock-approach-inter-miami-superstar/bltc76c19172e9c6f28" target="_blank">Sporting KC in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash</a> on Tuesday.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

VIDEO: Furious Messi grabs opposition coach by the neck & argues with referee after Inter Miami’s dramatic draw in 2025 MLS season opener | Goal.com

Lionel Messi grabbed an opposition coach by the neck and argued with the match referee after Inter Miami’s dramatic MLS draw with New York City FC.

Next matches