Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was fined on Tuesday over a surprising incident with an assistant coach from the New York City FC after their match to open the Major League Soccer season ended.

The amount Messi was fined was not published.

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Messi left the field after 2-2 draw. He had received a yellow shortly after a verbal exchange with Judge Alexis da Silva. Then he exchanged words with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy.

Messi began to walk away from the Frakians as he turned back towards the coach and put his right hand on the back of his neck and squeezed. It is unclear what the two said to each other, but it seemed enough for MLS to issue the fine.

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Inter Miami Forward Lionel Messi, No. 10, celebrates scoring his page’s first goal against Sporting Kansas City during the first half of a Concacaf Champions Cup football match on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

“MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi a non -public amount for violating the hands of the face/head/neck in an opponent policy after the end of Inter Miami’s match against New York City FC on February 22,” League said.

Luis Suarez, Messis Miami teammate, was also fined a non -public amount “for violating the hands of the face/head/neck of an opponent policy during the break” in the same match. He grabbed NYCFC Birk Risa at the back of his neck.

Inter Miami followed the controversy with a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City later Tuesday to move on to the next round of the Concacaf Championship Cup.

New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese stops a scoring attempt from Inter Miami -tip Lionel Messi, as New York City FC Midfielder Justin Haak, #80, looks at, during the second half of an MLS football match, Saturday 22 . February 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Messi and Suarez both scored.