Inter Miami drew with New York City FC 2–2 in their opening game of the 2025 Major League Soccer season last Saturday. Lionel Messi walked away from the game with a point, but he also walked away with a fine.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee fined Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the "hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent" rule. Following the final whistle, Messi was seen grabbing NYCFC's assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy by the back of the neck. The altercation didn't escalate further as Messi walked off the pitch, but that was enough for Messi's wallet to take a hit.
