Lionel Messi fined for slapping opponent during MLS match

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest soccer player in history, has been fined by Major League Soccer for slapping an opponent during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union on August 19. The league announced the disciplinary action two days after the match, citing a violation of its policies regarding contact with an opponent’s head.

What happened at Subaru Park

The incident took place during the second half at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, in what had already been an emotionally charged game. Messi scored a goal and added an assist in the match, marking his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8.

During an off-the-ball moment, cameras caught Messi delivering what appeared to be a light slap to the back of Quinn Sullivan’s head. The confrontation stemmed from a verbal exchange over an alleged elbow. The referee intervened to separate the two players but did not issue any cards at the time.

MLS reviewed the incident after the final whistle and determined it warranted punishment. The league announced on August 21 that Messi had been fined for the contact. His Inter Miami teammate Ian Fray was also penalized for a separate incident involving Sullivan during the same match.

In a separate decision announced the same day, MLS rescinded a red card that had been issued to Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan during the match, allowing him to participate in future matches.

Not Messi’s first MLS disciplinary issue

This isn’t the first time Messi has run into trouble with MLS’s disciplinary committee. Back in February 2025, he was fined for making neck contact with an NYCFC assistant coach during a match. That incident, like this one, didn’t result in an on-field card but drew a league-imposed penalty after review.

The Sullivan factor

Quinn Sullivan, the Philadelphia Union forward on the receiving end of Messi’s slap, found himself at the center of multiple incidents during the match. Both Messi and Fray were penalized for separate confrontations with him. None of the publicly available reports suggest Sullivan was penalized for his role in the incidents.

MLS has historically taken a firm stance on head contact, treating any strike to the head or neck area as a serious violation regardless of perceived force. The league’s disciplinary framework allows for post-match review and punishment even when referees choose not to act during play, which is exactly what happened here.

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