Lionel Messi was cleared of any violations related to an incident captured on video after Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC on Saturday at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The soccer superstar was seen following referees towards a doorway after the game, raising concerns about a possible confrontation with officials.
The video that circulated online appeared to show Messi chasing the match officials into their locker area, with teammate Luis Suárez attempting to hold him back. Messi briefly disappeared through the doorway before returning to head to the team’s locker room.
Review Confirms Messi Did Not Enter Referees’ Locker Room
MLS officials reviewed the footage in response to the viral video and concluded that Messi did not enter any restricted zones or the referees’ designated locker room. This conclusion was also corroborated by the Professional Referee Organization, which oversees match officials.
Chris Rivet, director of communications for the Professional Referee Organization, confirmed in a statement to The Athletic,
“After speaking with the match officials, we can confirm Lionel Messi did not enter the officials’ locker room.”
Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, told reporters he had no knowledge of any dispute between Messi and the referees.
No, no, no, I didn’t see anything. The truth is that the match finished and then I went into the locker room,
Mascherano said, as reported by ESPN.
Messi’s Previous Disciplinary Issues with MLS
Although Messi was cleared this time, he has faced MLS disciplinary action before. Last season, he was fined for a hands-to-face violation during a match against New York City FC. He was also suspended for one game after missing the MLS All-Star Game.
At the time of his suspension, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas described Messi as being extremely upset over the league’s decision, which Mas harshly labeled as draconian. This history adds context to the heightened emotions visible in the recent footage after a tough loss.
Significance and Future Implications After the Controversy
The league’s prompt investigation and the Professional Referee Organization’s confirmation serve to protect Messi’s reputation from potential disciplinary action linked to the video. Given the global attention surrounding Messi and Inter Miami, clarifying the facts helps settle tensions among fans and officials alike.
This incident highlights the intense pressure players face during high-stakes matches and underscores the importance of clear communication between teams and referees. With no sanctions forthcoming, Messi is expected to focus on upcoming games as Inter Miami aims to recover from the decisive loss.
Lionel Messi salió molesto con el arbitraje tras la goleada de LAFC 3-0 ante Inter de Miami. #messi #intermiami pic.twitter.com/NiOlzYVKrW
— Giovanni Guerrero (@gioxguerrero) February 22, 2026
