Lionel Messi accused of branding MLS referee 'son of a b****' in furious rant

Lionel Messi was booked for dissent in Inter Miami's 1-1 draw with Charlotte on Saturday night after the Argentina icon was alleged to have sworn at the referee

Lionel Messi has stirred controversy after avoiding a red card in Inter Miami's tense 1-1 draw against Charlotte, despite reportedly swearing at the referee.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient, was crucial for his side, netting a pivotal equaliser with a clinical strike from beyond the box in the 67th minute. Despite his on-field prowess, Messi didn't hold back his frustration post-match over the referee's decision to dismiss two potential late penalties for the Eastern Conference frontrunners.

Tension peaked when a penalty was annulled during added time following a collision involving Messi's former Barcelona cohort, Luis Suarez, and Charlotte's keeper Kristijan Kahlina. As per Argentinian publication Ole, relayed by Mundo Deportivo, the enraged Messi allegedly called the match official a "mean-spirited son of a b****" at the conclusion of the game.

While Messi escaped with just a cautionary yellow card as opposed to a red for his heated outburst, fans were left divided on social media. "How is he not sent off for that? " questioned one spectator online.

A self-proclaimed Messi admirer expressed disappointment, saying: "Honestly and being a Messi fan, he should have seen the red card," Another chimed in: "He's in so much trouble now."

It remains uncertain if Messi will face any retrospective disciplinary measures for the purported remarks. At 37, the Argentine hero, fresh from a World Cup triumph in 2022, has ambitions of guiding Inter Miami to their maiden Eastern Conference title and steering them towards claiming the MLS Cup.

The former Barcelona ace has been on fire, netting his 15th goal in just 16 league appearances this weekend. Despite the setbacks of an injury-plagued 2024 MLS season, Miami's boss Tata Martino is confident that Messi is working his way back to peak condition.

Messis campaign was marred by an injury sustained during the Copa America final against Colombia, hosted at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where he had to leave the pitch with a troubling right ankle issue. The painful blow captured Messi in tears on the bench as Argentina clinched another major title by retaining the trophy.

"Leo is going to get better and better as he adds 90 minutes," assured Martino. "Obviously, Leo does not need to do differentiated physical work in training, but he needs a rhythm of competition, which gives me the idea that he is going to reach the playoffs very well because in addition to the games with us he has the games with the Argentinian national team. So, we have high hopes that he will come into the playoffs in very good shape."

As the MLS season races to its climax, Miami is holding a comfortable lead over Eastern Conference competitors, Columbus Crew. With three games left on the roster, including an anticipated clash with Columbus on Oct.

2, Messi's influence could be decisive. Out West, LA Galaxy have nosed ahead, topping the table over their city rivals LAFC by amassing a staggering 58 points.