Major League Soccer (MLS) has fined Lionel Messi for grabbing the neck of New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy during a heated exchange at the end of a match. The specific amount of the fine was not disclosed.
The incident occurred on Saturday after Inter Miami’s season-opening game against NYCFC, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Chase Stadium. Messi, who played a key role in Miami’s late equalizer, was caught on camera in a tense confrontation with Ballouchy after the final whistle. During the argument, the Argentine forward placed his hands on the back of the assistant coach’s neck twice.
MLS released a statement confirming that Messi had been penalized for violating the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.” The disciplinary committee reviewed the footage before making its decision.
Messi was not the only player disciplined for physical altercations during the match. His Inter Miami teammate, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, also received a fine for a similar incident. Suárez was seen placing his hands on the back of NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck during a confrontation at halftime.
Messi, a World Cup-winning captain with Argentina, has been a major figure in MLS since joining Inter Miami in 2023. His presence has brought global attention to the league, but this latest controversy has sparked debates about player conduct and discipline.
Neither Messi nor Suárez has publicly responded to the fines, and it remains unclear whether Inter Miami will take any further action regarding the incidents.
