Lionel Messi expressed his discontent with Major League Soccer’s new rule by addressing directly to the camera when sidelined against Montreal on Saturday.
The new rule forces players to leave the field for two minutes if the medical team arrives to assist them.
The Inter Miami star was on the receiving end of regulation on Saturday, with the Herons behind 2-0 to their Canadian opponents. While Messi was standing in front of the camera, the program caught up on his complaint.
“With this kind of rule, we’re heading in the wrong direction,” the former Barcelona player complained in the 43rd minute of the contest.
The rule prohibits players from wasting time by feigning injuries on the field. However, it might also be used to strategically keep the opposing team’s greatest players off the field, with Messi being a classic example.
Lionel Messi fumed over Major League Soccer’s bizarre new rule on live TV against Montreal
Las nuevas reglas de #MLS obligan a que si el equipo médico entra a asistir a un jugador, este permanecerá fuera del campo 2 mins. #Messi ha dicho a la cámara "con este tipo de reglas, mal vamos".
Se equivoca: con esta regla los jugadores pierden menos tiempo fingiendo lesiones. pic.twitter.com/pSCqaStoqf
— Jaime Ojeda (@jaimeor96) May 12, 2024
The rule requires players to stay off the field for two minutes if they’re aided by medial staff
Nevertheless, with Messi off the pitch, Inter Miami got on the scoreboard when Matias Rojas scored a freekick from about 50 yards out. Taking a set piece that would usually fall on Messi’s feet, Rojas was able to spark a comeback for the Herons.
Luis Suarez tied the game in the third minute of stoppage time before the halftime break.
After the intermission, Benjamin Cremaschi put Miami in front with a goal in the 59th minute. The score would remain up to the final whistle.
Montreal saw their lead dissolve despite goals from Bryce Duke in the 22nd and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint ten minutes after.
Inter Miami came back from being down 2-0 to winning 2-3, extending their win-streak to six
Messi and the Herons stay on top of the Eastern Conference with 27 points a a 8-2-3 record
The hosts also outshot their guests 15-7 (6-4 on target). Additionally, Montreal controlled 54 percent of the possession in their losing effort.
Inter Miami remains on top of the Eastern Conference with 27 points and an 8-2-3 (W-L-D) record. The Herons will stay on the road to face Orlando City on May 15 and look to extend their win streak to six games.
On the other hand, Montreal dropped down to the 12th seed with 12 points and a 3-5-3 record. Their next game will remain on Canadian soil as they welcome the defending champions, Columbus Crew, on the 15th.
