Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi was visibly frustrated during a recent game against Montréal, when a new Major League Soccer rule forced him to the sideline for two minutes after sustaining an injury. The Argentine forward expressed his anger towards the regulation, stating, “These types of rules…it’s going bad,” as he left the pitch in the 40th minute of the match. This rule, implemented by MLS, requires a player to leave the field for two minutes if the referee stops play due to a potential player injury lasting over 15 seconds.
Team’s Displeasure
In support of Messi, Miami coach Gerardo Martino voiced his team’s frustration with the new rule, emphasizing that there are situations that need to be revisited. Martino highlighted the fact that Campbell, the Montréal defender who fouled Messi, did not receive a yellow card for the incident, which would have prevented Messi from being sidelined for two minutes. The team felt that they were being unfairly punished for the actions of their opponents.
The issues for Inter Miami did not stop there, as another new MLS rule came into play during the game. Striker Luis Suárez was slow to exit the field when being substituted in the 92nd minute, leading to a delay in the game. According to MLS regulations, each player leaving the match must vacate the field within 10 seconds of the substitution being signaled by the Fourth Official. This delay left Miami with only 10 men on the field during the crucial final moments of the match.
Despite the off-field challenges faced by Inter Miami, the team managed to secure a 3-2 victory over Montréal, solidifying their position at the top of the Eastern Conference table. With 27 points from 13 games and a record of 8 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws, Inter Miami continues to demonstrate their strength and resilience on the field.
The frustrations expressed by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s coach Gerardo Martino shed light on the challenges posed by the new MLS rules. These regulations not only impact individual players like Messi and Suárez but also influence the outcomes of important matches. As Inter Miami continues to navigate these rule changes, their performance on the field will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
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