“Can’t Have Lionel Messi Get a Broken Ankle From Some Rumdum” – After Refereeing Controversy, $18 Million Rich American Host Sides With MLS to Protect Inter Miami Star

Lionel Messi seems to have enamored American soccer fans. No club has yet been able to stop the Argentine, with Messi scoring five goals and picking up an assist in just over 200 minutes on the pitch. However, concerns about La Pulga’s safety while playing have been brought to the forefront. This comes after yesterday’s fixture between Miami and Orlando, where the Herons’ No. 10 had to face some physical challenges from the away side.

Messi’s last-night scuffles have encouraged many in the MLS to extend support. In fact, a popular American host also jumped on the bandwagon.

Popular American hosts take sides with MLS to protect Lionel Messi

Messi’s scuffle against Orlando became a topic of discussion on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, where host Pablo S. Torre spoke with Tony Kornheiser. The conversation soon took a turn around Messi and if he needs to be protected by the MLS. Kornheiser had some bold words to claim. “Let’s be perfectly clear about this. Lionel Messi at the moment is the league,” he said.

While speaking highly of the new-Florida man’s popularity, the presenter gave his thoughts on protecting Messi. “They should have an enguard out there with him. If anything happens to him or if he gets knocked off the game. The guy who runs Apple TV should be allowed to run on the field, grab the perpetrator, kick him out of the league forever. You cannot have Lionel Messi get a broken ankle from some rumdum. That’s not the way it works.”

The $18 million rich presenter again heaped praise on the “great” Messi, saying, “He’s is demonstrably better than anyone else.” Kornheiser also laid down two reasons why the 36-year-old is the greatest player to play in America. “One, he’s one of the four-five greatest players in the world anywhere and anytime, and two, he’s ever come here closer to his prime than the great Pele or Beckenbauer hardly came to America 50 years ago. We are watching art. We are watching Michael Jordan and Tom Brady.”

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Indeed, these are some massive claims from Kornheiser, who was quite vocal in praising the Miami star. However, let’s dive deeper into the refereeing controversy surrounding Messi.

What was the refereeing controversy?

During yesterday’s match against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup, Messi clinched yet another brace and led Miami to a 3-1 victory. However, he also received his first yellow card. The booking came after the skipper gave a challenge to a rival player from behind. A warning may have been nice, but the card seemed extra, according to some.

However, the match soon became ‘each man on his own,’ as Messi faced a lot of physical lashing from the away side. The Miami skipper scuffled with a few Orlando players, who were deliberately trying to stop him using force. In fact, La Pulga fell to the pitch, barely moving after colliding with Mauricio Pereyra. Be that as it may, the striker was presented with a lot of physicality. It remains to be seen what the MLS has to say about his protection.

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