Despite not featuring for Inter Miami in their cup clash in the early hours of Thursday, Lionel Messi was reportedly involved in an angry altercation with the opposition's manager in the stadium tunnel.
The 36-year-old has played only five games in all competitions so far for his MLS club this season, having been ruled out action by to muscular injury in mid-March.
Read: African star brags over wondergoal vs Bafana: 'It's in me'
While his return date is yet to be confirmed, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was in attendance in the VIP section of the stadium as Inter Miami lost 2-1 at home to Mexican outfit Rayados de Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup early on Thursday.
With the Herons having not lost a game he has played in this season, the Florida outfit have since lost three of the five games Messi has missed.
Heading into Thursday's match, Monterrey boss Fernando Ortiz suggested that referees were influenced by the presence of Messi being on the pitch, stating in a press conference, Football Espana: "Everything that surrounds Messi can lead to making sporting and non-sporting decisions. Obviously, I don't know if it's damaging, but the business is not aimed at us. Sportingly, we are going to win. Afterwards, I can't handle other things."
Indeed, a point of contention would come from a refereeing decision as an Inter Miami player, David Ruiz, was sent off in the 65th minute while his side was 1-0 up.
Just minutes later Monterrey equalised in the 69th minute, before scoring a winner in the 89th.
Ultimately, this left many of Inter Miami players' enraged, with the likes of Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba furiously complaining to the referee after full-time.
Per the abovementioned Spanish publication, it is said that Messi went down from the stands to join in on the complaints, with the matter escalating as the 2022 World Cup winner was seen in an angry spat with Ortiz in the tunnel on the way to the dressing rooms.
it is not known, though, if Ortiz's earlier words about Messi's influence on matches was part of the former Barcelona talisman's ire during the incident.
Read: The Real Madrid stars who could be affected by Mbappe's arrival
The Argentine has seven goal contributions in the five games he has played for his US club this season.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH:
