Lionel Messi appears to rebuff MLS commissioner Don Garber during Inter Miami celebrations

Lionel Messi was involved in a tense exchange with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber during Inter Miami’s celebrations after they won the Campeones Cup early on Thursday.

The Argentina captain had lifted the trophy only minutes earlier when Garber approached him. Messi appeared visibly angry and was heard telling the commissioner: “Not with me, no,” according to footage shared online.

The incident followed an almost perfect night for Messi, who led Inter Miami to a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul. He scored the opening goal with a header, reaching 100 goals for the American club, before setting up the second for team-mate Casemiro.

Messi was named player of the match and collected the trophy after the final whistle. He then celebrated with his team-mates and supporters before his expression changed when he met Garber.

The video shows the MLS commissioner trying to speak to Messi as the player walked towards a team group photograph. Messi appeared to reject the conversation and continued speaking to Garber, who seemed to remain smiling.

The two men met again after the photograph, when Messi returned to celebrate with his team-mates. The exchanges have raised further questions about the relationship between the player and the MLS commissioner.

According to Argentine newspaper Ole, it was not the first sign of tension between them. The background to their disagreement dates to 2025, when Messi did not take part in the MLS All-Star Game.

Messi chose to protect his fitness and play in competitive matches after appearing in nine games over 30 days. MLS then suspended him for one match, citing its rules which state that a player who misses the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league cannot play in his club’s next fixture.

Garber said at the time: “We have had a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was an extremely difficult decision.”

Messi served the suspension, but has shown his frustration with some refereeing decisions during Inter Miami matches on several occasions, including the recent meeting with Cruz Azul.

The latest incident comes amid an already strained relationship, according to the report, between Garber and Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas.

Garber has been MLS commissioner for 25 years but is due to leave the role on 1 January 2027, bringing to an end his long period leading the American competition.

Messi, meanwhile, continues to add to his record with Inter Miami. The victory gave him another trophy and came on the night he scored his 100th goal for the club.