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5 hours ago
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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are going through a bit of a rough patch with a series of underwhelming performances in recent matches.
Inter Miami faced a crushing 3-0 defeat against Orlando City in their last Major League Soccer clash on May 18 at Chase Stadium. This loss marked to be their third loss in their last five league matches.
Last month, the Herons slipped up on the chance of making club history by getting eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
Amid this turmoil, Messi has also faced repeated issues with refereeing decisions in the MLS.
Following Inter Miami's 3-3 draw against San Jose Earthquakes on May 14, Messi had a disagreement with the referee Joe Dickerson that led to the Argentine icon receiving a yellow card. He was able to avoid a red card as the opponents' San Jose coaching staff held him back from remonstrating further.
Messi also had a difference in opinions with the referee's decision in Inter Miami's clash against Orlando. And now, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has voiced his complaints about the refereeing to the MLS.
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What did Lionel Messi say?
Orlando City opened their scoring in the 43rd minute after Inter Miami claimed a pass to opposition goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. While the referee did not rule it as a pass, the Peruvian shot stopper's long kick inexplicably caught the Herons' defense off guard, followed by Luis Muriel finding the back of the net.
Messi was understandably not in agreement with the referee's call, and after Inter Miami's defeat, he pointed out 'specific errors' on Apple TV and urged MLS (comments via Marca) to 'look a little more at the issue of referees.'
"I think today we had a great first half. We were attacking, creating situations, they couldn't get out, they were kicking long balls. And from a strange play, where one of their players gives a pass to the goalkeeper and the referee himself told me that he did not know the rule, that he did not understand it... And, well, from there came a ball and came the goal," said Messi.
"But the truth is that there are times when there are specific errors like the last game (against the San Jose Earthquakes), you know? They are not excuses, but something always happens with the referees in some specific play. I think MLS should look a little more at the issue of referees," he added.
Messi & Co. are set to return to MLS action on May 24, against Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park, Pennsylvania.
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