Lionel Messi has risked punishment from the MLS after grabbing the neck of New York City’s assistant coach in an explosive full-time meltdown.
The 37-year-old helped Inter Miami secure a point against the Pigeons in their MLS opener over the weekend.
Messi notched up a fifth minute assist for Tomas Aviles to get the hosts off to the perfect start, before New York came from behind to lead.
But in the tenth minute of second half stoppage time, Messi helped salvage a draw after setting up Telasco Segovia having weaved through the opposition defence.
However he was seemingly not best pleased by the result, with a video doing the rounds of him angrily confront referee Rosendo Mendoza.
The 2022 World Cup winner could be seen getting in the face of the match official, where he pointed towards him.
It earned the Argentina international a yellow card, where he continued arguing with Mendoza as he headed towards the tunnel.
On his way off the pitch, New York assistant Mehdi Ballouchy seemingly said something towards the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner – which triggered a feisty response.
Ballouchy smiled in his direction as the duo exchanged words, with two City staff members coming over in their attempt to diffuse the situation.
Messi, covering his mouth when he spoke towards him, then proceeded to walk away from the argument.
But he instantly returned where he grabbed the back of Ballouchy’s next for a few seconds – squeezing it much to the coach’s shock.
He instantly turned towards Messi, who in turn pointed towards the tunnel – gesturing for Ballouchy to follow him.
It remains unclear what sparked Messi’s initial anger towards the referee.
Though he may have felt aggrieved that goalscorer Aviles had been sent off in the 23rd minute for a last-ditch tackle on Alonso Martinez.
It left the Herons to play with ten men for over an hour, with both of New York’s goals coming after the dismissal.
Next up for Inter is their Concacaf Champions Cup first round second leg clash against Sporting Kansas on Tuesday evening.
Javier Mascherano’s side lead 1-0 heading into the fixture thanks to Messi’s 56th minute strike.
Should Inter emerge victorious, they would battle against Jamaican outfit Cavalier FC in the last-16.