A bottle was hurled toward Lionel Messi, the Argentine forward for Inter Miami, during an MLS match away from Los Angeles. Reports indicate the object came from the stands as Messi left the pitch with his security detail nearby. The ball was not hit, and Messi did not react physically to the throw, continuing along the sideline without incident. The incident was documented by the Daily Mail and later summarized by various outlets based on witness accounts.
The game concluded with Inter Miami dropping in a 3-1 loss to the visiting side, despite an early advantage for the opponents. Facundo Farias opened the scoring in the 14th minute, giving the visitors an early lead. In the 51st minute, Jordi Alba extended the lead, providing the assist for Messi who cushioned the advantage with a precise finish. Messi then supplied his second assist of the night in the 83rd minute, steering a through ball to Leonardo Campana. The home team managed a consolation goal in added time as Ryan Hollingshead found the net in the 90th minute.
Entering this fixture after 12 appearances for Inter Miami, Messi has tallied 11 goals and 5 assists across competitions. Earlier in the calendar year, the Argentine star helped Inter Miami clinch their first American trophy by lifting the League Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout against Nashville, finishing 10-9 after the match ended in normal time and extra time without a winner.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami came at the start of the 2023 season following a two-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain in France. He began his tenure with Inter Miami by scoring a free-kick on his debut, a moment that underscored the high expectations surrounding his arrival. As the season progressed, his productive run faced the usual ebbs and flows that accompany any elite player adjusting to a new league and a new team system. The club, meanwhile, continued to build around his presence, leveraging his vision and playmaking ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates and himself.
The league continues to monitor and report on such incidents as fans express their enthusiasm and sometimes frustration in the stands. Across the campaign, Messi has remained a central figure for Inter Miami, contributing consistently in both goals and assists while helping the squad compete in MLS as well as domestic cup competitions. Observers note that his impact reaches beyond the stat sheet, influencing the team’s tactical approach and drawing attention from audiences across North America.