'He has refs in his pocket': Netizens not happy with Lionel Messi not getting red carded

Inter Miami faced Orlando City in the Round of 32 Leagues Cup clash. After a tense match, the Miami-based MLS outfit won, advanced into the round 16, and will face FC Dallas this Sunday. In the US, Lionel Messi has been in remarkable form for his new team and scored a brace against Atlanta United and Orlando City FC.

3 things you need to know 

• Messi, Busquets, and Alaba played together for the first time since 2021
• Lionel Messi has now scored 5 goals in his last 3 games for Miami
• After Messi joined Inter Miami last month, the club has remained unbeatable so far

Also Read: Lionel Messi Scores Superb Volley As He Continues To Mesmerise MLS With Messi Magic- WATCH

Messi is involved in a controversy during Inter Miami vs Orlando City?

Lionel Messi showed his magic to Orlando City in the opening ten minutes. He scored a volley with his left foot in the seventh minute after controlling the ball through his chest, giving his club a 1-0 lead. But after 10 minutes, Orlando City's Cesar Araujo equalised it. Josef Martinez's successful penalty kick in the second half gave Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. With Martinez's selfless act, Messi added another goal for Inter Miami in the 72nd minute to score 3-1.

However, the FIFA World Cup winner was involved in a big controversy as Messi received a yellow card in the 20th minute after a clumsy challenge. Following the match, during the extended period of the first half, Messi was seen having a physical battle against Cesar Araujo of Orlando, which resulted in a yellow card for the visitor.

Messi who’s on a yellow already clearly fouls the player off the ball and instead of getting a 2nd yellow he tells the referee to give the other player a yellow. 😭

Wherever he goes he has the refs in his pocket.

pic.twitter.com/fHxAWHLVa2

— Mu. (@FutbolMuu) August 3, 2023

Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja voiced his displeasure with the refereeing as he believed that the Argentine star was given a lot of preference during the match. After the match, the Colombian coach stated,

 Tonight was a circus. There was a second yellow on Messi [that wasn't given]. I don't care if he's Messi.

How did the fans react to the challenge by Messi on Araujo?

That's unreal 😂

— R🇩🇿/🤍 (@Sure_Seven) August 3, 2023

Also Read:  Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus to miss start of the season after another knee operation

If he wasn’t on a yellow he would’ve been booked coz he’s been booked he won’t get the red card . Anyone who’s played ball at any level knows this is the case

— Shawn Thomas (@shawnthomzzz) August 3, 2023

Forget about that Messis push what did the guy do to deserve a booking. If you watched the match you could see the referee was very terrible.

— lebraìn (@JonathanArk99) August 3, 2023

After Inter Miami vs Orlando City match, the team will eye for the Round of 16 clash against FC Dallas. The Orlando coach wasn't content with the decision of the referee, as he thought Messi was given the upper hand. Nevertheless, Inter Miami emerged as the victorious side as they advance further into the competition.