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MLS Clears Messi After Tunnel Video Ahead of Inter Miami Friendly

The 38-year-old is juggling Inter Miami’s title defense with captaining Argentina for a World Cup campaign based in Kansas City.

Overview

  • Messi was found to have committed no policy breach after video showed him near the referees’ area postmatch, and he will not be suspended.
  • Inter Miami’s next fixture is a Feb. 26 friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico, rescheduled after an earlier injury concern.
  • Messi has one appearance for Inter Miami in 2026 and was held scoreless in a 3-0 season-opening defeat to LAFC.
  • The opener drew an announced crowd of about 75,672–75,673, the highest attendance ever for an MLS season opener and second-highest in league history.
  • Argentina will be based in Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup, opening Group J against Algeria on June 16 before facing Austria and Jordan.