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Lionel Messi reportedly confronted Monterrey boss Tano Ortiz following Inter Miami’s 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions Cup quarter-final.
The Herons have it all to do in order to keep their dreams of ultimate glory in that competition alive after coming unstuck with 10 men on home soil. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was restricted to a spectator role in that contest as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
Messi was, however, at Chase Stadium for the game in question and was not in the best of moods afterwards. He is said to have been caught up in an angry post-match exchange with Monterrey staff and match officials – with Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Tata Martino also involved.
According to FOX journalist Fernando Schwart, Messi and Co marched to the referee’s office to complain about some of the decisions made in a keenly-fought contest, while also taking issue with pre-game comments from Monterrey coach Ortiz.
Ortiz had said in the build-up to the game, in a hint towards Inter Miami receiving favouritism from the officials: “Everything that surrounds Messi can lead to sporting and non-sporting decisions being made. Obviously, I don’t know if it will harm us, but the business is not for us. Sportingly, we are going to win. Afterwards, I can’t handle other things.”
Monterrey are said to have requested that CONCACAF look into the incident, although no official comment has been made by either club or any of the players and coaches involved. The report is said to mentioned Messi, Alba and Suarez by name. The second leg of a heavyweight Champions Cup tie will take place in Mexico on April 10.
