Lionel Messi faces MLS fine after emotional World Cup loss and father's death

Lionel Messi was fined by MLS for making contact with an opponent's head and neck during a match against Philadelphia on 21 August 2026.

What led to Messi's MLS disciplinary action?

Messi slapped Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck during second-half stoppage time in Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union. The incident occurred after an exchange of words. Sullivan was also involved in a separate altercation that resulted in a fine for teammate Ian Fray, who grabbed Sullivan's neck after a tangle in the penalty area. MLS confirmed both fines were undisclosed but issued for violent conduct under league policy. Minnesota United's Anthony Markanich was also fined for embellishment in a different match that same week.

How did Messi perform emotionally after the World Cup and personal loss?

Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father Jorge Messi and added an assist in the Philadelphia match. He had missed Inter Miami's first two games after the World Cup break against Chicago and Montreal to grieve. Jorge Messi passed away on 8 August 2026 after a prolonged illness. The forward had promised his father Argentina would reach the 2026 World Cup final so he could attend in the United States. Although they reached the final, Jorge could not be present due to his deteriorating health. Messi said he tried to push past his physical limits in the 1-0 loss to Spain but felt unable to continue.

What is Messi's current salary at Inter Miami in 2026?

Lionel Messi earns $545,000 per week at Inter Miami, making him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer. This figure places him ahead of teammates Casemiro and Rodrigo De Paul, who earn $325,000 and $186,000 weekly respectively. Robert Lewandowski of Chicago Fire also earns $325,000 per week. The data comes from salary tracking sites including salaryleaks.com, capology.com, and spotrac.com, reflecting the 2026 MLS season.

How did football figures respond to Messi's bereavement?

Cristiano Ronaldo left a comment on Messi's Instagram tribute to his father, writing: "A huge hug to you and yours during these tough times, Leo. Much strength." The comment received over 1.4 million likes within an hour. Other supporters included David Beckham, Carlos Alcaraz, Angel Di Maria, Arturo Vidal, Giuliano Simeone, Richarlison, and Thiago Almada. Barcelona and La Liga also issued formal condolences. Ronaldo noted his own experience losing his father in 2005, saying he could not live to see his son's achievements.

Is Messi considering retirement from football?

In a deeply personal social media post, Messi expressed doubt about continuing his career, stating: "I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer." He reflected on playing the 2026 World Cup while his father's health failed, saying every match ending left him waiting for a message that never came. Messi returned to Rosario, Argentina, after the funeral to spend time with his family. He said his father could not enjoy the tournament despite their run to the final.

• Lionel Messi scored a goal and provided an assist in his first match back after missing two games due to bereavement
• His weekly salary of $545,000 makes him the top earner in MLS for 2026
• Jorge Messi passed away on 8 August 2026, aged 68, after encouraging his son to play in the World Cup despite his illness
• Messi returned to Inter Miami training 10 days after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain on 11 July 2026