Lionel Messi hit with fine after striking 22-year-old opponent in the face during MLS match

LIONEL MESSI has been fined by Major League Soccer after appearing to strike an opponent in the face during Inter Miami’s draw with Philadelphia Union. The Argentina legend, 39, was punished over an off-the-ball clash with Union attacker Quinn Sullivan, 22. Lionel Messi has been fined by the MLS Credit: Reuters Messi was hit with a fine after striking 22-year-old opponent Quinn Sullivan in the face Credit: X formerly Twitter / @PhilaSJ_007 Sullivan reacted to the slap and went back towards Messi Credit: X formerly Twitter / @PhilaSJ_007 Referee Filip Dujic broke up the altercation. Credit: X formerly Twitter / @PhilaSJ_007 Footage circulated on social media showing the pair exchanging words near the halfway line during the second half of Wednesday’s 2-2 draw. Messi then appeared to make contact with Sullivan’s face with his hand before referee Filip Dujic stepped in. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner escaped without a booking at the time and play was allowed to continue. But MLS later announced Messi had been handed an undisclosed fine for breaching its rules regarding contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck. It is the second time the World Cup winner has been fined by the league since joining Inter Miami in 2023. Messi was also hit in the pocket in February 2025 following a post-match confrontation with New York City FC assistant coach Medhi Ballouchy, when he grabbed him around the neck during a heated exchange. And his latest punishment comes just a day after Argentina were hit with a string of major Fifa sanctions over their behaviour at this summer’s World Cup. The Argentine FA was fined £237,000 over offences including team misconduct, discriminatory chants and gestures from supporters, security breaches and the disgraceful Falklands banner displayed following their semi-final victory over England. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Argentina were also ordered to play their next two home matches with crowds limited to 50 per cent capacity. Leandro Paredes was handed a TEN-MATCH international ban over the ugly scenes following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, while Nahuel Molina received seven games, Thiago Almada one and assistant coach Roberto Ayala three. Messi was not personally sanctioned during Argentina’s disgraceful behaviour at the World Cup. Comment now