- Inter Miami were held to a third consecutive draw by Charlotte on Saturday
- Lionel Messi was unhappy after his side were not awarded a penalty at the end
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Lionel Messi was involved in a heated altercation with the referee following Inter Miami’s latest draw.
Miami were held to a 1-1 draw by Charlotte on Saturday night, their third consecutive stalemate.
Charlotte had taken the lead in the 56th minute through a deflected strike before Messi drew his side level with a superb finish 10 minutes later.
The visitors had a goal ruled out for offside late in the game and a flurry of chances followed after the fourth official added nine minutes of stoppage-time.
Charlotte forward Kerwin Vargas missed a glorious opportunity in the 96th minute, curling an effort wide of the post.
Lionel Messi was involved in an altercation with the referee following Inter Miami’s latest draw
The Argentine forward reportedly told the referee ‘you’re a mean-spirited son of a b****’
In the 102nd minute, Messi lofted the ball over six defenders and towards Jordi Alba, who headed the ball across to Luis Suarez.
However, the Uruguayan striker failed to score from just a few yards out, instead skying the ball over the bar before rolling on the ground in agony having collided with goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
Messi was left seething in the aftermath as he felt his team should have been awarded a penalty in the end.
He approached the referee and according to ‘Ole’ via Mundo Deportivo, told him: ‘You’re a mean-spirited son of a b****.’
The former Barcelona and PSG forward escaped a sending off and was booked instead, even though the match had ended.
Despite three straight draws, Miami are close to winning the Supporters’ Shield, a title given to the team with the best regular-season record.
Luis Suarez missed a glorious chance from close-range in the dying moments of the match
Messi drew his side level with a superb finish 10 minutes after Charlotte had taken the lead
They remain top of the Eastern Conference and are eights points clear of second-placed Columbus Crew with three games left.
The top two will lock horns when Miami visit the Lowe.com Field on Wednesday evening (local time).
