On February 21, the MLS season kicked off at the LA Memorial Coliseum with LAFC securing a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami. Despite Lionel Messi’s efforts, Inter Miami struggled to break down the home side’s defense. Tensions escalated after the match when Messi aggressively approached the referees, leading to a confrontation that Luis Suárez intervened to prevent.
Denis Bouanga’s Key Contributions Propel LAFC Win
Denis Bouanga played a crucial role in LAFC’s success, scoring the second goal and assisting in the final moments of the game to set up the third goal. His performance stood out as a defining factor in the match’s outcome. Meanwhile, Messi was Inter Miami’s most active player in the second half but visibly unsettled by multiple refereeing decisions, which he repeatedly questioned on the field.
Viral Footage Captures Messi Chasing Officials Post-Match
After the game ended, video clips circulating on social media showed referees entering their designated room as Inter Miami players began heading to their locker room. Messi was seen pursuing the officials, intent on confronting them about the decisions. Luis Suárez stepped in, attempting to hold Messi back from entering the referees’ area. Still, Messi was determined and followed by a member of the Inter Miami staff as he proceeded inside.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Footage shows Lionel Messi trying to CONFRONT the referee after full-time, with Luis Suárez pulling him back to stop him entering the officials’ dressing room. 😳🇦🇷 — CentreGoals. (@centregoals) February 22, 2026
The Barcelona legend came out shortly after, leaving some teammates confused by the noises heard from inside the room. Neither the referees nor Inter Miami have provided official details regarding what was discussed, leaving fans and analysts waiting for the referee’s formal report.
Messi’s Ongoing Frustration With MLS Officiating
This is not the first time Messi has publicly questioned MLS refereeing. Last season, he pointed out an error involving the backpass rule during an important moment in a game against Orlando. He criticized the referee’s understanding, stating,
“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. 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.”
Messi’s unhappiness with officiating has been a source of tension throughout his time in the league, especially given the high expectations surrounding his performances.
MLS Season Opener Draws Record Attendance Amid Controversy
The match between LAFC and Inter Miami attracted a record-setting crowd of 75,673 spectators, marking the largest attendance for an MLS season opener in history. Despite the lively atmosphere and historic turnout, Inter Miami’s defeat and the post-match referee confrontation have dominated conversations. As this incident unfolds, the league faces increased scrutiny regarding officiating standards, which could influence future matches and the league’s reputation.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Footage shows Lionel Messi trying to CONFRONT the referee after full-time, with Luis Suárez pulling him back to stop him entering the officials’ dressing room. 😳🇦🇷
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) February 22, 2026
History made. 👏
▪️ Largest Opening Day crowd in MLS history
▪️ Second-highest single-game crowd in MLS history
▪️ Highest-attended match in global soccer today pic.twitter.com/2KjWMr2zVe— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 22, 2026
