2 min learnFeb 28, 2026 02:57 AM IST
Lionel Messi was nearly wrestled to the bottom by an over-enthusiastic fan and a safety guard in the course of Inter Miami’s pleasant match in Puerto Rico towards Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle. Simply minutes earlier than the full-time whistle went off, a fan got here dashing to the ahead and grabbed the ahead round his waist in a forcible embrace. The safety guard, chasing the fan, quickly caught up and tackled the fan to the bottom, within the course of pulling down the Argentine soccer legend as effectively.
In keeping with a report on The Related Press, the footballer seemed to be unhurt. He obtained up and walked off to a different a part of the pitch. Messi scored a objective whereas Santiago Morales netted the second to assist Inter Miami rack up a 2-1 win.
Miami, which began its MLS season with a 3-0 loss to LAFC, faces Orlando Metropolis subsequent Sunday.
The incident occurred when a number of followers had invaded the pitch at Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium on the 88th minute of what was an exhibition tour match with Messi was the central attraction. The truth is, the sport was initially meant to be performed two weeks in the past, however was deferred solely as a result of Messi had a niggle in his leg that he had reportedly picked up throughout the workforce’s earlier exhibition match towards Barcelona SC of Ecuador.
Messi was in India in December not too long ago as a part of an occasion referred to as the G.O.A.T India Tour — together with teammates from Inter Miami, Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez — the place Kolkata followers had gone on a rampage and vandalised the stadium as a result of the star had minimize his look brief after being jostled by over-eager VIPs. Messi had additionally travelled to cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and New Delhi throughout his go to to India.
(With inputs from The Related Press)
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