Lionel Messi was surprised by the performance of referee Guido Gonzalez. The Argentine claimed that the official told him he didn’t know an important rule of the game. He also criticized the league's management regarding the appointment of referees.
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Inter Miami are currently facing one of the toughest stretches since Lionel Messi's arrival at the club.
After thirteen league matches, the team co-owned by David Beckham has already dropped points in seven of them, including several unexpected draws and losses. This inconsistent form is beginning to raise questions about the club’s ability to challenge seriously for the MLS title this season, despite having assembled one of the most high-profile squads in the league.
The latest setback came on Sunday night, when Inter Miami suffered a demoralizing 0-3 defeat at home against state rivals Orlando City. The loss not only highlighted Miami’s current struggles but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities and a growing sense of frustration within the team. It was a night to forget at the DRV PNK Stadium, where the atmosphere quickly turned tense as Orlando took control and capitalized on key moments.
One of the most controversial incidents of the night involved a clear backpass by an Orlando player to his goalkeeper, who then picked up the ball with his hands a violation of the rules. Lionel Messi, known for his composure and experience, was left shocked by what followed. After approaching referee Guido Gonzalez for an explanation, Messi was stunned by the response.
"There was a rare play where one of their players passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, and he picked it up with his hands," Messi said in a post-match interview with MLS media. "The referee told me himself that he didn’t know the rule. He said he thought it was nothing and that he didn’t understand it. From that moment, they launched a long ball and ended up scoring."
The play in question could have led to an indirect free kick inside the penalty area for Inter Miami a golden opportunity to shift the momentum. Instead, the missed call allowed Orlando City to regain possession and eventually convert that same sequence into a goal. The moment symbolized a broader concern voiced by Messi and echoed by many observers: the overall standard of officiating in Major League Soccer.
Following the match, Messi didn’t hold back his frustration. "Those are specific mistakes, and the same thing happened in the previous match as well. There are no excuses for that," he said. "There’s always something going on with the referees here. I think MLS needs to take a closer look at the referees they appoint."
His comments have sparked widespread debate in the football community, both in North America and abroad. While some have defended the league’s officials, others agree that MLS needs to invest more heavily in training, development, and accountability for referees, especially as the league continues to attract global stars and grow its international profile.
Adding to Inter Miami’s concerns is their disciplinary record. The team has already received three red cards in the early part of the 2024 season more than any other club in the league. Whether due to frustration, fatigue, or simply poor decisions, these dismissals have affected the team’s ability to perform consistently, especially during high-pressure moments.
The defeat to Orlando has also impacted Inter Miami’s position in the standings, placing extra pressure on upcoming fixtures. Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino now faces the challenge of regrouping his squad, managing expectations, and restoring confidence both on and off the pitch. With Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba in the squad, the quality is there but questions remain about whether the system around them is stable enough to deliver results.
As the season continues, the eyes of the football world remain on Miami, not just because of Messi’s presence but because of what his involvement means for the league as a whole. For MLS, ensuring fairness, consistency, and credibility through its refereeing will be critical if it hopes to maintain the momentum that Messi’s arrival brought.
Updated: 11:49, 21 May 2025
