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Lionel Messi Issues Demand To MLS After Inter Miami Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated May 19, 2025 12:11 AM ET

Inter Miami CF only has one win in its past seven games following a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Florida rival Orlando City SC on "Sunday Night Soccer" during MLS Rivalry Week.

Pressure was already mounting on captain Lionel Messi and head coach Javier Mascherano to turn things around before the match against Orlando, but the Herons' funk only worsened on Sunday. Inter Miami has now conceded at least three goals in five of its last six matches in all competitions.

After the game, Messi did a rare postgame interview. The international soccer star used the platform to issue a demand to MLS about another dynamic causing frustration amid the Herons' poor form: the officials.

The Argentina forward spoke with Apple TV's Michele Giannone on the Spanish-language broadcast airing via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

It is worth noting that as the face of the league since his arrival in July 2023, the Inter Miami star reportedly has contract incentives tied to the success of the streaming service.

"There’s always something going on with the referees, some isolated plays," Messi said in Spanish, as translated and shared by USA Today writer Safid Deen on X.

"I think MLS needs to look a little more closely at the referees,” demanded Messi, 37.

MLS' Spanish-language account originally posted a 1:56 video of Messi's interview on X, but it was deleted and a shorter version was reposted to remove his comments about the officials.

Messi complains of a back pass which would have resulted to a penalty but the ref decides the game to play on conceding in less than a minute

Robbery! pic.twitter.com/9nl85kWuub
— Bamche ⚓ (@BamcheUtd) May 19, 2025

Messi received a yellow card for showing "poor sportsmanship" toward the referee in the 75th minute of the loss to Orlando.

Following Inter Miami's 3-3 draw on Wednesday, he had to be held back by San Jose Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena while going at the referee after the final whistle.

Bruce Arena had to step in and calm Messi down before he caught another yellow

Coach moves off the pitch! pic.twitter.com/1ue7tmbd3O
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 15, 2025

MLS has a policy that prohibits public criticism of officials or other league members, which can result in fines . Former Inter Miami manager Phil Neville was fined in 2021 for claiming that the team is refereed differently from MLS opponents.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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