Messi in tense moment with Don Garber after winning Campeones Cup | OneFootball

Lionel Messi was once again at the center of attention after winning the Campeones Cup. Following Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, the Argentine was involved in a couple of tense moments with Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, during the title celebrations.

The footage shows a first exchange when Messi was getting ready to pose for a photo with the trophy. Garber approached the player to speak with him, but the Argentine responded with a firm “no.”

Minutes later, once the celebrations had ended, Messi approached the executive again and, according to the footage released, said the phrase “not with me.”

The incident once again put the relationship between the two figures in the spotlight, as they had already had public differences before.

A relationship that had already created tension

Last July, Garber acknowledged that his relationship with Messi was not ideal. One of the previous incidents was the suspension the Argentine received after not taking part in the 2025 All-Star Game.

MLS ruled that Messi had to serve the suspension following his absence, although the organization did not make public all the details related to the reasons why the forward decided not to play in that match.

Added to this have been Messi’s constant complaints about certain aspects of refereeing in MLS, especially after matches in which he has received heavy challenges.

Garber spoke about Messi and the referees

The MLS commissioner himself addressed his relationship with Messi during a conversation on the Front Office Sports News podcast.

“We’re communicating a little more. I’ve realized a couple of things, and that’s great.”

Garber also described an experience related to refereeing and explained that Messi does not always share his view of the decisions made during matches.

“I don’t think Leo was very happy during that match. That’s why he’s Messi — the guy has unbeatable passion and courage.”

The executive also rejected the idea that he has direct influence over the appointment of referees.

“I’m not sure he sees me as someone who chooses the referees. I don’t. I accept that.”

Messi and Garber, once again in the spotlight

The win over Cruz Azul made Inter Miami Campeones Cup champions, with Messi as one of the night’s main figures.

However, the post-match footage shifted part of the attention to his exchange with Garber. The Argentine’s “no” and “not with me” once again fueled doubts about the relationship between Inter Miami’s captain and MLS’s top executive, although the footage alone does not make it possible to determine the exact reason for the argument.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.