Lionel Messi was stopped by teammate Luis Suarez as he tried to approach the referee after Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 loss to LAFC in their 2026 Major League Soccer season opener at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The encounter unfolded on Sunday, highlighting tensions after Miami, the reigning MLS champions, were outplayed by their opponents led by Son Heung-min.
LAFC Dominates Miami with Key Goals in Season Opener
Miami faced a tough challenge as Son Heung-min assisted the opening goal in the 38th minute, scored by David Martinez, giving LAFC an early lead. The 2022 MLS Cup winners then extended their advantage with goals from Denis Mouanga and Nathan Ordaz, sealing a comprehensive victory over Miami. This result marked Miami’s heaviest loss since September and broke their unbeaten streak against LAFC in their last three meetings.
Post-Match Incident Involving Messi and Match Officials
After the final whistle, video footage circulated on social media capturing Messi’s attempt to enter the referee’s dressing room, where Pierre-Luc Lauziere and his officials had retreated. Before Messi could confront the officials, Luis Suarez stepped in to pull him away, guiding him back toward the Inter Miami locker rooms along with other teammates. The incident underscored the frustration Messi felt following the defeat.
Miami’s Barcelona Veterans and Contract Developments
Messi and Suarez now remain the sole former Barcelona players on Inter Miami’s roster after recent departures of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retired during the offseason. In October, Messi secured a multi-year contract extension with the club, committing to stay in South Florida until 2028. Since joining Miami in the summer of 2023, Messi has become the highest-earning player in MLS by a significant margin.
The initial contract reportedly earned Messi over £14.8 million annually, which is more than most players in the 30-team league. Reflecting on his commitment, he said,
“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality – playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park,”
illustrating his passion for the club and the city.
David Beckham Highlights Messi’s Role in Miami’s Vision
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham praised Messi’s influence on the team and city, stating,
“Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that’s exactly what we have done. We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo’s commitment to the city, to the club, and to the game. He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win.”
Significance of the Match and What Lies Ahead
The defeat represents a wake-up call for Inter Miami as they prepare to defend their MLS title this season. Messi’s confrontation with the referee suggests the intensity and high stakes surrounding their campaign. Suarez’s intervention prevented further escalation, indicating team unity despite frustration. Miami will aim to bounce back in upcoming matches, seeking to maintain momentum at home in Miami Freedom Park while meeting the expectations placed on a squad led by high-profile players like Messi and Suarez.
