Lionel Messi fined by MLS for contact on opponent

Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer for making contact with an opponent's head and neck. The incident occurred during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Philadelphia on Wednesday. Messi slapped the Union's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck in second half stoppage time.

Why was Lionel Messi fined by MLS?

The league announced the undisclosed fine on Friday. It was for an incident in the closing moments of the August 26 match. Messi and teammate Ian Fray were both penalized for separate clashes involving Sullivan. Messi had just scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, and added an assist in that game.

Is Lionel Messi considering retirement?

Earlier in August, Messi sparked global speculation about his future. "I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer," he said. The 39-year-old made the comment in an emotional Instagram tribute to his late father. He wrote, "You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end." This has led many to believe the legendary forward's career is winding down. He recently turned 39 but performed brilliantly at the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals in eight games to lead Argentina to the final.

Will Messi play for Inter Miami against Montreal?

Yes, Lionel Messi is expected to feature for Inter Miami against CF Montreal. The match is a round 22 fixture in MLS 2026. Messi has trained with the first team and remains a central part of their attack. He has scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in 18 league appearances this season. Inter Miami, currently second in the Eastern Conference, needs a win after a poor run of form. They have lost four of their last five matches. The team's defensive issues are a concern, having conceded 12 goals in that same five-game stretch.

What did Jose Mourinho say about Messi and the Ballon d'Or?

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho recently argued individual brilliance should define the Ballon d'Or, not just trophies. He named Lionel Messi as a prime example of a player whose impact transcends team success. "For me, the Ballon d'Or has to go to one of those players we will miss for eternity when they stop playing," Mourinho said. He listed Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, and Zinedine Zidane. The Portuguese manager suggested that if the award was purely for team achievements, it should go to a coach instead.

• Lionel Messi was fined by MLS for making contact with Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan on August 26.
• Messi hinted at retirement in an emotional post about his father on August 19, 2026.
• He is set to play for Inter Miami against CF Montreal in their next MLS fixture.
• Jose Mourinho cited Messi as the type of transcendent player the Ballon d'Or should honor.