“That’s Cheating” – Referee Catches Lionel Messi’s Tactical Move in Inter Miami’s Goalless Game, Inviting Fans’ Fury

The game between Inter Miami and Nashville saw a striking incident unfolding. The incident, including Lionel Messi, had the soccer fans up in arms. As the video surfaced on social media, fans reacted to a cunning move by Messi when the referee awarded a free kick to Inter Miami in a goalless draw against Nashville. 

Resilient Nashville held the Herons to a 0-0 draw after Inter dominated the proceedings. Messi started the game for Vice City and was one of the best players on the pitch. However, his tactical maneuver over free kick made fans label him a cheat. 

Fans call out Lionel Messi for cheating

In the game against Nashville, the referee awarded Inter Miami with a free kick. Undoubtedly, Lionel Messi stepped up to take the set piece. However, a video that surfaced over Instagram showed the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner moving the ball from the original place to gain a tactical advantage. But the referee spotted it and asked the Argentine to place the ball in its original position.

But that was enough for the fans to react furiously, calling out the World Cup winner for cheating. One fan wrote, “That’s cheating. Not fair as a star.” “As always cheating,” wrote another fan. One fan slammed the Inter Miami superstar, “Dude thinks he can do whatever he wants.” 

A few fans linked the incident to the Qatar FIFA World Cup. There was a theory that referees favored the Argentina national team and La Pulga enormously. One fan wrote, “Bro thinks it’s World Cup refs,” while another fan wrote, “That’s how FIFA handed the World Cup to him,” recalling the World Cup. The fans didn’t stop here. “Maybe Messi thinks this is the same ref from Qatar, which he paid last year.”

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Many fans labeled him Pessi, while others slammed him by saying this is what he does when the free kick is out of his range. Meanwhile, Inter Miami had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Nashville after a winning streak.

Resilient Nashville holds Inter Miami

After starting on the bench on his debut, Tata Martino named Messi in the playing XI. As expected, the Herons dominated the game, with around 70% possession. But David Beckham’s side didn’t take advantage of its dominance. Of the 13 shots, they managed only four on target. 

Messi was the shining figure in the game. However, he didn’t score despite having seven shots (two on the target). Expectations were high from the Vice City, but resilient Nashville defended their lives to earn a point from the game. Nashville is seventh in the East Conference table with 39 points. On the other hand, Inter is 14th with 22 points on board.

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With a ten-point gap to the playoff places, can the Herons make it to the playoffs?