MLS
Controversy as lip readers reveal Messi’s angry outburst at referee after Inter Miami - Charlotte
The Argentine star was saved from a direct red card despite directing his abuse towards the referee at the end of the match.
Inter Miami’s tied game at home to Charlotte FC put Lionel Messi in the spotlight once again. The Argentine, who found the back of the net with a stunning goal around the hour mark – the 841st of his career – also provided one of the match’s most talked-about moments following a tense exchange with the referee, Ramy Touchan, at the end of the game.
What did Messi say to referee Touchan?
Messi was shown a yellow card, but the incident could easily have resulted in a straight red. Despite the tension, Messi’s goal and his post-match interaction with the official became the focal points of the evening.
Messi’s frustration boiled over, leading to the altercation with Touchan. Messi was visibly furious after the referee failed to award a potential penalty in the final minutes when Luis Suárez was brought down in the box after hitting the crossbar.
The Argentine was seen mouthing, “Sos un mala leche, sos un mala leche. Hijo de puta, mala leche” repeatedly in anger. Messi’s outburst nearly resulted in a red card, with Jordi Alba stepping in to calm the situation and prevent Messi from being sent off. That phrase in Argentinian Spanish is often directed at someone who is spiteful or acts in bad faith. One potential translation would be “You’re a cheat!” or “You’re a disgrace!” with an added “you’re a son of a bitch, you’re a jerk,” thrown in for good measure.
Have Inter Miami qualified for the postseason?
Despite the draw, Miami remains atop the Eastern Conference with 65 points and has secured mathematical qualification for the postseason and the next edition of the Concachampions. However, the club still needs to lock down the Supporters’ Shield (awarded to the best regular season team) in their final three matches against Columbus Crew, Toronto, and New England.
The recent run of three consecutive draws has allowed the LA Galaxy, leaders in the Western Conference, to close the gap, now just seven points behind Miami. With little room for error, the pressure is on in Fort Lauderdale as Beckham’s boys aim to secure the Shield.