Major League Soccer has cleared Lionel Messi after reviewing post match footage from Inter Miami’s season opening defeat to Los Angeles FC. The league confirmed that the Argentine forward did not violate any policy when he briefly followed match officials through a doorway after the final whistle.
The incident took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum following Inter Miami’s 3 0 loss to LAFC. Video circulating online showed Messi walking behind the refereeing team into an interior corridor area. Teammate Luis Suarez appeared to try to pull him back by the arm before Messi continued through the doorway. He re emerged shortly after.
MLS conducted a review of the footage and assessed whether Messi had entered a restricted or prohibited zone. According to a league spokesperson, the area in question was not the referees’ locker room and was not designated as restricted space. As a result, no rules were breached and no disciplinary action will be taken.
The spokesperson added that any restricted areas within the stadium would have been clearly marked with visible signage. Following the review, the matter was considered closed.
The match itself drew significant attention, with 75,673 supporters in attendance. It marked the highest attended fixture of the MLS opening weekend and underlined the continued commercial and global appeal of Messi’s presence in the league. Despite the large crowd and anticipation, Inter Miami struggled on the pitch and were comfortably beaten by LAFC.
Messi had a relatively quiet outing compared to his usual standards, as Los Angeles applied consistent pressure and capitalised on their chances. The defeat was a disappointing start for the defending champions, who are expected to challenge strongly again this season.
Post match emotions often run high, particularly in season openers with intense atmospheres. The brief corridor moment sparked speculation online, prompting MLS to step in and clarify the situation. By addressing the matter swiftly, the league aimed to avoid unnecessary controversy at the start of the campaign.
Inter Miami have not issued a formal statement regarding the incident, focusing instead on preparations for their next fixture. For Messi, the focus now shifts back to football as Miami look to bounce back from their opening setback.
With expectations elevated and stadiums filling across the United States, every movement involving high profile players like Messi attracts attention. MLS has made it clear that, in this case, there was no misconduct and no breach of competition guidelines.
