Lionel Messi's match turns into a comedy show

On February 27, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami took part in a disorderly friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico, occurring shortly after the opening match of the 2026 MLS campaign.

The match, originally scheduled for February 13, was postponed due to Lionel Messi's hamstring issue. At that time, the absence of the Argentine superstar left fans deeply disappointed.

In this rematch, Messi did not start but still made a significant impact. He came off the bench and successfully converted a penalty in the second half, a decisive goal that secured the victory for his team. However, what happened afterward drew even more attention than the brilliance of the number 10.

Chaos due to… matching jerseys

Even before the kickoff, the match descended into a farcical situation. Both teams took the field wearing nearly identical kits: black shirts, black shorts, and black socks. This similarity made it difficult for spectators in the stadium and viewers on television to distinguish between the two sides.

The jersey confusion forced organizers to delay the kickoff by an hour. However, the issue seemed not to be fully resolved, making the match hard to follow for much of its duration.

A chaotic ending because of Messi

With just two minutes remaining in the match, everything spiraled out of control. A group of fans suddenly rushed onto the field, all heading straight for Messi.

A shirtless fan managed to bypass security, ran up to hug and accidentally knocked over the former Barcelona captain. Two others approached for photos and autographs, turning the scene into complete chaos.

While Messi's Inter Miami teammates were slow to react, Independiente's Carlos Gonzalez quickly intervened, escorting Messi away from the crowd before security fully regained control.

Awaiting the Florida derby

Following the incident-filled match, Inter Miami will return to action this Sunday in the Florida derby against Orlando City.

The pink-clad team began their MLS title defense with a 0-3 loss to LAFC last weekend, in a match featuring Son Heung-min. Therefore, the clash with Orlando City is seen as an opportunity for Messi and his teammates to restore their image and fighting spirit.