Africa-Press – Eritrea. While still dazzling on the pitch for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is drawing attention for a very different reason this season: his increasingly heated behavior toward referees.
With 5 goals and 2 assists in 10 league games, the Argentine remains a key player for his club, yet frustrations have begun to boil over. His recent outbursts — including criticism of referees on national television and confrontations on the field — mark a stark contrast to the usually reserved superstar who spent over two decades in Europe.
The most striking moment came during the season opener, when Messi received a yellow card after a verbal exchange with the referee and later grabbed NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy by the neck — an incident that shocked fans and media alike.
Despite growing calls for disciplinary action, including from U.S. media and former national stars like Alexis Lalas, the league’s response was limited to a discreet fine. As MLS enjoys the spotlight brought by its biggest-ever star, it may also be forced to confront the challenge of managing Messi’s fiery side.
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