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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterLionel Messi may have avoided a disciplinary sanction from Major League Soccer, but he did not escape renewed scrutiny over a growing pattern.Messi made headlines during MLSs season-opening weekend not for his attacking brilliance, but for heated post-match scenes that marked his latest run-in with North American referees.The Inter Miami captain gave match officials an earful in the tunnel after his teams 30 road loss to Son Heung-Min and LAFC in front of a record crowd of more than 75,000 fans, with multiple videos capturing the confrontation as it unfolded. The images went viral. You may like Muted Lionel Messi ceremony reveals MLS divide as commissioner issues clubs and players familiar warning Lionel Messis MLS Cup victory punctuates successful first act with Inter Miami as new era appears on the horizon with 'Barcelona Reunion' over Lionel Messi in talks with former club as Argentina legend puts MLS stint on pause: report Messi continues to take issue with MLS officiatingMessi initially walked alongside the referees while seemingly sounding off over calls that did not go in his favor in the ugly defeat at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Argentine then tried following the officiating crew towards its locker room even as teammate Luis Suarez attempted to restrain him.The footage brought into question whether Messi had broken the league's rule of not entering the referee locker room, one that came into focus in 2023 when veteran American center-back Matt Miazga was banned three matches during FC Cincinnati's play-off run for violating the protocol.Lionel Messi sali molesto con el arbitraje tras la goleada de LAFC 3-0 ante Inter de Miami. #messi #intermiami pic.twitter.com/NiOlzYVKrWFebruary 22, 2026Major League Soccer quickly investigated the Messi incident this past weekend, ruling in less than a day that the 38-year-old superstar had not entered the referee locker room. MLS determined that Messi briefly walked into a corridor leading towards the dressing area without ever entering the actual room, a distinction that proved decisive.While Messi did not enter an unauthorized area as Miazga did, Saturdays widely-debated episode reignited questions about where the line is drawn between routine protests and punishable conduct.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.More notably, it marked another visible clash between Messi a player long known for keeping a low profile and MLS officials.Messi's frustrations with the league's refereeing have surfaced in an increasingly public manner over the past year, beginning with Inter Miami's 2025 season opener last February.After a 2-2 home draw with New York City FC that included an early red card for the South Florida side, an irate Messi was booked for dissent after confronting official Alexis Da Silva. Argentine outlet TyC Sports reported that Messi said to Da Silva, "You're a coward!" You may like Muted Lionel Messi ceremony reveals MLS divide as commissioner issues clubs and players familiar warning Lionel Messis MLS Cup victory punctuates successful first act with Inter Miami as new era appears on the horizon with 'Barcelona Reunion' over Lionel Messi in talks with former club as Argentina legend puts MLS stint on pause: report Three months later, Messi took issue with referee Joe Dickerson following a 3-3 road draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. The agitated MLS MVP was again given a post-game yellow card for dissent, with Dickerson even appearing to threaten a red after Messi's initial refusal to walk away. Walk away now!Head ref Joe Dickerson reaching for his back pocket threatened Leo Messi with a red card if Inter Miamis captain did not stop jawing at him.Messi earned a yellow earlier in the tense post-game exchange.#InterMiamiCF #Messi
