Lionel Messi hogged the headlines for his comment during a live MLS match between Inter Miami and Montreal on Saturday night, MySportDab reports.
The Argentine sensation and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been on a prolific run of form for Inter Miami since the start of the season.
In 9 MLS appearances, Messi has scored a league-leading 10 goals with 9 assists, taking his overall goal contributions to 19 goals.
The 2022 World Cup winner’s insane tally has seen the Florida-based outfit stay top of the MLS Eastern Conference table with 8 wins, 2 defeats, and 3 draws.
However, against Montreal on Saturday, Messi and his indomitable Inter Miami side suffered a huge scare. They were down to two unreplied goals after 32 minutes.
Bryce Duke had put the hosts in front in the 22nd minute before Jules-Anthony doubled the lead two minutes after the half-hour.
While Inter Miami were down by two unreplied goals, Lionel Messi was taken off the pitch for medical attention.
Based on MLS new sideline rules, players who need medical attention are taken off the pitch immediately to prevent time wasting and must remain on the sidelines for at least two minutes before being allowed back into the game for adequate attention and assistance.
After being hurled off the field by Inter Miami medics, Messi was back again on his feet and was ready for his game but was restrained for the two-minute timeline.
Apparently frustrated on the sideline, the 36-year-old could be heard voicing his displeasure over the new rule.
He said right on the face of the camera, “This kind of rule is not good. With this kind of rule, we’re headed in the wrong direction.’
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 footballing sensation was later allowed to come on after the two-minute recovery timeline elapsed, but before he was on, Matias scored a stunning freekick to pull one back for Inter Miami and reduce the deficit.
Matias’ goal paved the way for Inter Miami’s comeback. In the stoppage-time of injury time, Luis Suarez chalked off Montreals remaining one-goal lead , scoring Inter Miami’s second to peg the hosts to a 2-2 draw before the break.
Cremaschi would score the only goal in the second half to complete the comeback for the away side.
The win has seen Inter Miami consolidate their lead in the MLS Eastern Conference table with 27 points from 13 games.
