Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS) after making contact with Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw against the Union. MLS announced the disciplinary action on Friday but did not disclose the amount of the fine.
Messi fined after late clash
The incident involving Messi took place during second-half stoppage time on Wednesday. The Argentina captain and Sullivan exchanged words near midfield before Messi appeared to slap the Philadelphia midfielder on the back of his neck.
Neither player was booked for the incident during the match. However, MLS later reviewed the footage and determined that Messi had violated the league’s policy concerning contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck. Despite the retrospective punishment, Messi has not been handed a suspension and will remain available for Inter Miami.
Ian Fray also fined
Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined for a separate incident involving Sullivan during the same match. The confrontation began after Sullivan lost his footing while dribbling into the penalty area and became tangled with Fray. The Miami defender then grabbed
The confrontation began after Sullivan lost his footing while dribbling into the penalty area and became tangled with Fray. The Miami defender then grabbed Sullivan around the neck area, prompting the Philadelphia player to react.
Sullivan subsequently jumped up and tackled Fray. MLS later imposed a fine on Fray under the same disciplinary policy used in Messi’s case. Like Messi, Fray was not suspended.
Messi scores after Father’s death
The disciplinary action came after an emotional night for Messi, who scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Messi opened the scoring in the 26th minute after cutting inside onto his preferred left foot from around 12 yards before curling the ball into the corner of the net. He also provided an assist as Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union played out a 2-2 draw.
Messi has been in impressive form in MLS this season, registering 13 goals and nine assists in 17 league appearances. He has also recorded six goals and four assists in six matches across all competitions against Philadelphia.
Cavan Sullivan’s red card overturned
The heated finale also resulted in two red cards. Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan, Quinn Sullivan’s younger brother, were sent off following an off-the-ball confrontation.
Philadelphia appealed Cavan Sullivan’s dismissal, and MLS later confirmed that its Independent Review Panel unanimously voted to rescind both the red card and the accompanying one-match suspension. The decision means Cavan Sullivan is available for Philadelphia’s next fixture.
Messi previously fined by MLS
This is not the first time Messi has been fined under MLS’ policy governing contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck. The Inter Miami star was also fined by the league in February 2025 following an incident involving New York City FC.
