Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano pointed to the media for creating a “circus” around the incident involving Lionel Messi, a New York City FC assistant and a referee during Saturday’s 2-2 draw to open the MLS regular season.
Messi was captured on video arguing with head referee Alexis Da Silva and then being aggressive toward NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy before leaving the pitch, even putting his hand on the back of Ballouchy’s neck.
???? The Whole Angry Messi Clip!
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) February 23, 2025
This video shows an irate Lionel Messi jawing at head referee Alexis Da Silva as well as grabbing New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy by the neck.
There’s lots to digest here, but it’s great to see Messi cares.#InterMiamiCF #Messi???? pic.twitter.com/KkfWOQTQbH
Widely considered as one of the world’s greatest players, Messi fumed at the end of Saturday night’s match and got into a heated conversation with Da Silva, who asked him to back away before Messi was given a yellow card.
Messi then found himself engaged in a conversation with Ballouchy on the sideline and put his hand near the back of Ballouchy’s neck and squeezed, causing the NYCFC assistant to lean forward.
“I don’t have too many things to say,” Mascherano told reporters Monday. “It’s difficult when you’re on the pitch and sometimes you think things aren’t in the right way because you can see some mistakes from the referee. But in the end in football, to understand the players and the emotions of the player you have to be inside the pitch. … It’s difficult sometimes to control the emotions.
“I think the press sometimes wants to whip up a circus about it. That happens in every game that you can discuss with the referee, with some opposite players. It’s important – what we say in Argentina – we say, the things that happen [on] the pitch stay [on] the pitch.”
An MLS spokesperson declined to comment to The Post; a New York City FC rep also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident.
MLS rules seem to indicate that the disciplinary committee can review Messi’s incident with the referee, though the contact with Ballouchy is a little more murky.
The league’s competition guidelines do allow for the disciplinary committee to dole out “a minimum of a fine” if it’s “witnessed” that individuals “have contacted the face, head, and/or neck of an opponent, which incites or escalates an individual incident (as determined by the Disciplinary Committee) and/or an incident that results in mass confrontation (as determined by the Disciplinary Committee).”
MLS guidelines also state that “major fines and/or suspensions, at the sole and absolute discretion of the league office, shall be levied against players, coaches, or other team officials for conduct detrimental to the league.”
Saturday’s season opener saw NYCFC let a 2-1 lead slip away in stoppage time, with Messi assisting on the equalizing goal from Telasco Segovia.
The soccer legend also had a hand in Inter Miami’s first goal and City defender Mitja Ilenic trolled Messi by doing Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration after scoring the opening goal in the 26th minute.
Ronaldo and Messi are archrivals.
“I’m a big fan of Cristiano, to be honest. That was basically my dream: to do it in front of Messi,” Ilenic said.