Image Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

WATCH – Angry Lionel Messi argues with referee over Tomas Aviles red in Inter Miami vs New York City

Lionel Messi was not happy with the referee, Rosendo Mendoza, who was awful on Saturday.

Image Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi was in action for Inter Miami for the MLS 2025 season-opener against New York City FC and the 37-year-old forward was unhappy with the referee, Rosendo Mendoza, who was awful on Saturday. Miami survived a potential defeat at home ground, thanks to an extra-time strike.

Lionel Messi bagged two assists in the game and the second one came when Inter Miami were struggling to get equalizer. The Argentine was very upset with the refereeing and was cautioned. Immediately after the final whistle, he went to recriminate the centre-back.

🚨Watch: Lionel Messi still arguing with the referee after the FT whistle 🔥

That referee was awful tonight 😶

🎥 @Jarm21 pic.twitter.com/ebAVIggLlK
— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) February 23, 2025

Also Read:

Messi’s Inter Miami struggle through poor referrals

New York City were held for a 2-2 draw but few referrals were on the radar. Miami started the scoring in the 5tgh minute through Aviles and Messi assisted the goal. In the 23rd minute, Inter Miami goal-scorer, Aviles was handed a red card which created a drama.

Aviles brought down New York City forward Alonso Martinez right at the edge of the Miami box. The referee issued a red card to the Miami forward, which helped the visitors equalize three minutes later through Ilenic.

The early red card in the game shifted all the momentum Inter Miami enjoyed in front of home support. Meanwhile, Messi and Co. had 56% possession in the first half despite being down to 10 men.

In the 41st minute, the Herons saw one more booking as Cremaschi received a yellow card for a late challenge. If it was a red card, it could be disastrous for Messi and Co. However, New York City also received a booking just before halftime as Strahinja Tanasijević was handed a yellow for his late challenge on Busquets.

No Card given for this reckless tackle on inter Miami player 🥹

Inter Miami getting robbed here!

pic.twitter.com/rxS6Uqh716
— MC (@CrewsMat10) February 23, 2025

Lionel Messi demanded one more yellow card against New York City when the referee denied a card for the reckless tackle on an Inter Miami player. It could be another yellow card for New York City but Rosendo Mendoza had a different plan.

Lionel Messi and Co. will get a one-week break from the MLS as they will play their second-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup clash at home. The Argentine’s winning-streak helped Miami to take a 1-0 lead in two-legged encounter against Sporting KC.

Image Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.