“We were 1-0 up at half time. Before we knew it, it was 6-1” - MLS star shares details of encounter with angry Lionel Messi 

Former New York Red Bulls star Lewis Morgan has recalled facing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi when the Argentine got angry. He believes that the Argentine is unstoppable when he is extra motivated on the pitch.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Morgan recalled the MLS clash between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls, when Meesi recorded five assists and a goal to help the home side win. The away side were 1-0 up at halftime, but Morgan believes the scoreline made the Barcelona legend angry, and it was impossible to stop him in the second half. He said:

“Messi’s the best player ever. And he showed it that day. I describe it as he was playing angrily in the second half. And when he’s angry you don’t want to be on the other side. We were 1-0 up at half time then he just flicked a switch. Before we knew it, it was 6-1 to Miami. Messi scored and got five assists! You could just tell that he's got that nasty side, that mentality to switch whenever he needs to." "He's not afraid to put a foot in or get involved in 50-50s or play the mind games, just to give a bit of verbals back to the opposition and get in some guys' heads. He was extra motivated that day to really drag his team to victory. He had a 25-minute spell where we were at a loss how to contain him. But that's what it's all about, playing and testing yourself against the highest level player.”

Emil Forsberg scored a late penalty for NYRB, but Lionel Messi's heroics saw Inter Miami run out 6-2 winners in the Eastern Conference clash and walk away with all three points.

Lionel Messi will play limited minutes in MLS next season, says Tim Howard

Former Premier League goalkeeper Tim Howard has claimed that Lionel Messi will manage his minutes in the 2026 season, as he will be keen to stay fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast when he said (via GOAL):

"By the way, don't forget, Messi, who runs this team. He's the heartbeat of his team, right? He's not gonna play a ton of minutes before the World Cup, FYI, MLS. He's basically gonna look at the calendar when it comes out, speak to Mascherano, and just say, 'All right, I'll play here, here, and here.' And I'm not, I'm not lying when I say that, right? He's gotta be fully fit and rested before the World Cup. And then after the World Cup.”

Lionel Messi has won three silverware in as many seasons at Inter Miami.

Edited by Sripad