Lionel Messi expressed his anger with Major League Soccer’s new odd rule by addressing directly to the camera while on the sidelines against Montreal on Saturday.
The new rule forces players to leave the field for two minutes if the medical team arrives to assist them.
The Inter Miami star was on the receiving end of regulation on Saturday, with the Herons behind 2-0 to their Canadian opponents. While Messi was standing in front of the camera, the program caught up on his complaint.
‘With this kind of rule, we’re going in the wrong direction,’ the former Barcelona player complained in the 43rd minute of the game.
The rule prohibits players from wasting time by feigning injuries on the field. However, it might also be used to strategically keep the opposing team’s greatest players off the field, with Messi being a classic example.
Lionel Messi fumed over Major League Soccer’s bizarre new rule on live TV against Montreal
The rule demands players to stay off the field for two minutes if they are assisted by medical personnel.
Despite Messi’s absence, Inter Miami scored when Matias Rojas converted a free kιck from roughly 50 yards out. Using a set piece that would normally fall on Messi’s feet, Rojas was able to begin a comeback for the Herons.
Luis Suarez tied the game in the third minute of stoppage time, just before halfway.
After the break, Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi scored in the 59th minute to take the lead. The score would remain the same until the final whistle.
Montreal’s lead dwindled despite goals from Bryce Duke in the 22nd and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint ten minutes later..
Inter Miami came back from being down 2-0 to winning 2-3, extending their win-streak to six
Messi and the Herons are on top of the Eastern Conference with 27 points and an 8-2-3 record.
The hosts also outshot their guests by 15-7 (6-4 on target). In addition, Montreal had 54 percent possession in their losing effort.
Inter Miami leads the Eastern Conference with 27 points with an 8-2-3 (W-L-D) record. The Herons will continue on the road to face Orlando City on May 15, hoping to extend their winning streak to six games.
On the other hand, Montreal slid to the 12th seed with 12 points and a 3-5-3 record. Their next game will be on Canadian soil, when they face the defending champs Columbus Crew on the 15th..