Lionel Messi was wrestled to the ground by a pitch invader during Inter Miami CF’s 2-1 friendly victory over Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.
The Argentine captain, who came on as a half-time substitute, was confronted with just two minutes of normal time remaining. A spectator reportedly ran onto the pitch and grabbed Messi around the waist while he was taking a selfie with another fan.
Quick security response
Security personnel reacted swiftly to the incident, leading to a brief scuffle that saw Messi, the invading fan, and one security guard fall to the ground.
Fortunately, Messi appeared unharmed. He quickly got back on his feet and walked calmly to the other side of the pitch as additional security reinforcements arrived to restore order.
Season start and upcoming fixtures
The friendly match had originally been scheduled for February 13 but was postponed due to Messi’s hamstring injury.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, endured a difficult start to their Major League Soccer campaign, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC last weekend.
They will now turn their attention to a crucial clash against state rivals Orlando City SC on Sunday, as they look to bounce back and build momentum early in the season.
