Former Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez were fined for their action in Inter Miami's draw vs. NYCFC in their opening game of the 2025 MLS season.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer following a controversial exchange at the end of the match against New York City FC. Lionel Messi started the year in top form, scoring two goals and providing two assists in three matches for Inter Miami.

Miami, who is coming off the first leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup with Cavalier, started off the season with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with New York City FC. Then, on the road last Sunday, Luis Suarez and Telasco Segovia led the charge in a 4-1 thrashing of the Houston Dynamo.

Lionel Messi returned to the active roster on Sunday after missing back-to-back games, but he was not in the Inter Miami starting lineup against Charlotte FC. The Argentine captain began the game on the bench on a sunny afternoon at Chase Stadium.

Lionel Messi is feeling “much better” with a possibility he could play for Inter Miami on Sunday against Charlotte FC, coach Javier Mascherano said.

Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said he is optimistic Lionel Messi could make the roster for the match against Charlotte FC on Sunday night at Chase Stadium, though added he was unwilling to take unnecessary risks with the star player.

There was promising news from the Inter Miami training grounds on a sunny Saturday morning: Coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi, who sat out the past two games with muscle fatigue, has improved and he is hopeful the Argentine captain will be on the game roster for Sunday’s MLS home game against Charlotte FC.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi returned to the club's training sessions Saturday, a potentially positive sign for the team ahead of its clash against Charlotte FC Sunday. The Herons manager Javier Mascherano is hopeful of a return of his star player but insisted he will be cautious in determining if the 37-year-old can play.