Lionel Messi statement issued by MLS after appearing to break rules after debut

The MLS has cleared up the confusion surrounding Lionel Messi’s media access after it was claimed that the Inter Miami star had violated one of the league’s rules. Messi and other players in the MLS are required to be available for post-game interviews following a 15-minute cooling-down period, which is common practice across all US-based sports.

However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner is yet to speak to reporters after a game, despite featuring for Miami nine times since joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. “There was a misunderstanding regarding Lionel Messi’s media access,” the MLS said in a statement on Thursday. “He has not violated any guidelines for his media availability in Major League Soccer.”

According to the Miami Herald, MLS is in the initial stages of reviewing its media access policy, which hasn’t been updated in six years. The review of its media access policy did start prior to Messi’s arrival in the Sunshine State. Messi hasn’t been one to talk to the press after a game despite his unmatchable success on a soccer pitch. But he is having to climatize to the American media demands.

Messi’s transfer has paid off for Miami, with the franchise clinching its first trophy. The forward scored ten and assisted one in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup glory, which saw the team defeat a mix of Mexican and MLS competition. Messi and Co will also play another final next month after beating Cincinnati to a US Open Cup Final spot.

He also scored on his MLS debut in a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls on Saturday. Messi netted despite starting from the substitutes bench and it was one for the highlight reel after he played an eye of a needle pass to unlock Red Bulls’ defense.

Inter Miami are back in MLS action on Wednesday night against Nashville in a rematch of the Leagues Cup Final. That game ended 4-4 and had to be settled by a penalty shootout. Messi will start against Nashville, Miami’s manager Tata Martino has confirmed. “I think the game [Messi] needed to get some rest was the last one in New York, same as Busquets,” Martino said. “If there are no issues, [Messi] should [start].”

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Messi is hoping to help Miami climb up the Eastern Conference rankings and into the playoffs spots having sat rock bottom before Saturday’s win in New York. The team has 11 games left to eat into an 11-point deficit. Chicago Fire currently sits in the ninth and final spot with 32 points.

But Messi may be forced to miss some games in the remainder of the season due to international duty with Argentina. “It’s something we have to get accustomed to,” said Martino. “He’s going to miss at least three games — he’s going to get called up by his national team — and we need to keep winning.” 

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