On Wednesday, Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union played to a 2-2 draw, with Lionel Messi scoring his 13th goal of this Major League Soccer (MLS) season. Scoring goals is synonymous with Messi, so that didn't raise any eyebrows. Instead, Messi drew attention for this chippy interaction with Philadelphia midfielder Quinn Sullivan: Messi and Sullivan appeared to be jawing at each other, and Messi lightly slapped Sullivan on the back of his neck.
That clearly aggravated Sullivan, who got right up in Messi's face. The referee swooped in to break up the interaction before things escalated. "As expected: Leo Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violating the policy regarding hands to face/head/neck of an opponent," Franco Panizo reported.
"Ian Fray also received a fine while Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan’s ban has been rescinded." ESPN also reported that Messi received a fine for an undisclosed amount. Messi rejoined Inter Miami on Aug. 2 after a transcendent performance at the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup in June and July. The 39-year-old star scored eight goals and notched four assists to lead Argentina to the World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Spain in extra time.
Messi's father, Jorge, died on Aug. 8. Messi's goal against Philadelphia was his first goal since his father's death. Messi is in his fourth season with Inter Miami, the reigning MLS Cup champions.
Messi is also the reigning back-to-back MLS MVP. Inter Miami currently occupies second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville SC and will next face Toronto FC in Miami on Saturday, Aug. 22.
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