It's getting Messi at Inter Miami...
Lionel Messi was at the center of a heated post-match confrontation on Wednesday night as Inter Miami were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park.
Termina el partido en California. pic.twitter.com/XdyuOKbgCF
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 15, 2025
The Argentine superstar, who went scoreless in his first-ever match against the Bay Area club, appeared visibly frustrated after the final whistle and became involved in a tense exchange with referee Joe Dickerson.
Watch: Lionel Messi referee argument after draw against SJ Earthquakes
The argument escalated quickly, prompting Dickerson to issue a yellow card to Messi. Despite the caution, Messi returned to the referee moments later to continue airing his grievances, which prompted San Jose head coach Bruce Arena—himself a veteran figure in American soccer and former U.S. men’s national team manager—to intervene.
Lionel Messi had an extended, heated discussion with referees last night.
Seemed on the verge of being sent off... until San Jose manager Bruce Arena stepped in to diffuse and walked Messi away.Arena: "I really wanted to make sure he wasn't going to get a red card." pic.twitter.com/AiZpfoHmQG
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 15, 2025
“He was obviously not happy and I wanted to make sure, really, that he did not get red carded...for him to get a red card at the end of the game would've been ridiculous,” Arena told reporters after the match.
#Quakes74 Bruce Arena on mediating the chat between Lionel Messi and the refs postgame,
"He was obviously not happy and I wanted to make sure, really, that he did not get red carded...for him to get a red card at the end of the game would've been ridiculous." pic.twitter.com/PThYgJqh1W— Justin Ruderman (@JustinRuderman_) May 15, 2025
The draw marks a second consecutive matchday of dropped points for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, with the club now winning just once in their last five matches across all competitions. The late-game drama and Messi’s unusually emotional reaction underline the growing pressure on the team as they navigate a turbulent stretch of the season.
Javier Mascherano’s squad trails fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 22 points.
