Lionel Messi fumes live on TV and speaks directly to camera as he’s surprised by bizarre new MLS rule change
- Inter Miami came back from a 2-0 defeat to win 2-3 against Montreal
- The Herons remain on top of the Eastern Conference with an 8-2-3 record (WLD)
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Lionel Messi expressed his displeasure with Major League Soccer’s bizarre new rule by speaking directly to the camera while away against Montreal on Saturday.
The new rule requires players to stay off the field for two minutes if the medical team intervenes to help them.
The Inter Miami star was the target of regulation on Saturday as the Herons lost 2-0 to their Canadian counterpart. As he stood in front of the camera, the broadcast picked up on Messi’s complaint.
“With this kind of rule we are going in the wrong direction,” lamented the former Barcelona star in the 43rd minute of the match.
The rule prevents players from wasting time by faking injuries on the field. However, this could also be used to strategically keep the opposing team’s best players away – Messi being a prime example.
Lionel Messi fumed against Major League Soccer’s bizarre new rule live on TV against Montreal
The rule requires players to stay off the field for two minutes if they are helped by medical personnel.
Nonetheless, with Messi off the field, Inter Miami got on the scoreboard when Matias Rojas scored a free kick from around 50 yards out. Taking a free kick that usually fell at Messi’s feet, Rojas managed to spark a comeback for the Herons.
Luis Suarez equalized the score in the third minute of stoppage time before the half-time break.
After the intermission, Benjamin Cremaschi put Miami ahead with a goal in the 59th minute. The score would remain until the final whistle.
Montreal saw its lead dissolve despite goals from Bryce Duke in the 22nd and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint ten minutes later.
Inter Miami came back from a 2-0 loss to a 2-3 victory, extending their winning streak to six
Messi and the Herons remain on top of the Eastern Conference with 27 points and an 8-2-3 record
The hosts also dominated their guests 15-7 (6-4 on shots on target). Additionally, Montreal controlled 54 percent of the possession in their loss.
Inter Miami remains on top of the Eastern Conference with 27 points and an 8-2-3 record (WLD). The Herons will stay on the road to face Orlando City on May 15 and look to extend their winning streak to six games.
On the other hand, Montreal fell to 12th place with 12 points and a record of 3-5-3. Their next match will take place on Canadian soil as they host the defending champions, Columbus Crew, on the 15th.
