Watch: Lionel Messi gets aggressive, grabs New York City coach by the neck, fined by MLS

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for grabbing one of New York City FC’s coaching staff on the neck after Saturday’s MLS opener, the league said.

Video footage showed Messi approach the coach and grab the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner after the 2-2 draw in Miami.

The fine was imposed by the MLS’ Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday.

???? Lionel Messi Gets Fined!

The Inter Miami captain has been fined an undisclosed amount by MLS for “violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” after the 2-2 draw vs New York City FC.

NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy not fined.#InterMiamiCF #Messi???? pic.twitter.com/7PMzH0gsog

— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) February 25, 2025

The top-flight North American league also fined Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez on Tuesday for violating the same “face/head/neck of an opponent policy” during halftime, when he pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa’s neck.

Miami are due to play Sporting KC later on Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.