Lionel Messi will not face disciplinary action from Major League Soccer following an incident after Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat to LAFC on Opening Night, February 24, 2026. League officials reviewed footage showing Messi entering a hallway behind the referees following the match.
The MLS determined that Messi did not breach any regulations, as the area he entered was not a restricted space or the officials’ locker room. The league confirmed the area was accessible and did not violate any rules.
Footage showed teammate Luis Suarez attempting to calm Messi before he entered the hallway, and he quickly returned. The match at the Coliseum drew a record-breaking crowd of over 75,000 spectators, marking the largest attendance for an MLS opening game in league history. The heavy defeat for Inter Miami, despite the star power of Messi, underscores the competitive balance growing within the league.
