Lionel Messi Jersey Confusion Upsets LA Galaxy’s John McCarthy Post Game

On the books, the Inter Miami-LA Galaxy game is just a diminishing 1-1 draw. But for soccer fans, drama peaked at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Tinsel Town. Kim Kardashian’s son Saint West walked Lionel Messi out to the field. Novak Djokovic and some NFL royalty were seen in the stands to watch Messi’s action. It is safe to say those A-listers were not disappointed. In yet another dramatic moment, Lionel Messi equalized the game with a 92nd-minute clutch goal. Anyhow, the drama did not stop there. Messi has left LA Galaxy goalie John McCarthy complaining over a jersey swap with him.

John McCarthy did a decent job at challenging Inter Miami’s star-studded offense. He kept out the Herons’ four attempts on goal but succumbed to Leo Messi’s clutch strike.

John McCarthy on failing to get Lionel Messi’s t-shirt

John McCarthy was quizzed about the Inter Miami-LA Galaxy tie in a post-game interview. For McCarthy the disappointing highlight from the match was him failing to get Lionel Messi’s jersey despite expecting the contrary. “I did not get another Messi jersey…I don’t know who did,” said John McCarthy in the press conference. It is yet to be learned who got Messi’s jersey or if the Argentine swapped shirts with anyone at all. However, McCarthy’s disappointment does not come as a surprise. He already has a La Pulga jersey in his collection.

Last year, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami made it to Tinsel Town to play against the other LA club, Los Angeles FC. Then, John McCarthy was guarding LAFC’s post. LAFC lost 3-1 to Inter Miami. Despite McCarthy conceding three goals, the goalie impressed Messi, and he exchanged his t-shirt with the former. And so, it was rather obvious for the LA Galaxy GK to expect Messi would reward him again, especially when he put up a relatively decent display. Anyhow, it ended as a forgetful night for McCarthy. But for Messi, the night added yet another feat to his impressive resume.

Messi’s clutch-scoring reputation soars after a late equalizer

Had Lionel Messi not scored in the 92nd minute, Inter Miami would have lost their top-seeded run in the Eastern Conference. Messi’s clutch knock earned Miami a point and an edge over other Eastern rivals. From an individual standpoint, this was La Pulga’s 14th result-changing goal that came in the additional time for both club and country. Notably, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner began his Miami run with such a goal at the death. The 36-year-old rose at the 94th minute and sent home a stunning free-kick and took the lead against Cruz Azul.

READ MORE: Inter Miami Enters Billion Dollar Club Domain; Richer by $400M+ Thanks to Lionel Messi’s Move to MLS

Besides, Messi now has 12 goals in his Inter Miami tally. He scored 12 goals in 16 appearances- a better ratio than any other serial goal scorers for the club. La Pulga is 17 goals away from dethroning his ex-teammate Gonzalo Higuain as Inter Miami’s all-time top goal scorer.

READ MORE: “I Felt Stupid” – After Injury Forced Pre-Season Exile, Inter Miami Star Narrates First Encounter With Lionel Messi