Lionel Messi was involved in an altercation with Inter Miami’s ultras as they beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Sunday night.
Messi opened the scoring in the 31st minute with his 12th goal in MLS this season and then provided a brilliant assist for German Berterame to double the hosts’ advantage three minutes before half-time as Miami finally secured their first victory at their new Nu Stadium.
The on-field action was fairly routine as Miami clinched their eighth win in 14 games to remain two points behind leaders Nashville in the Eastern Conference.
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Miami fans unhappy with lack respect from players
However, there was a wider story that lingered all evening with Miami’s La Familia fan group opting to remain silent for the first 85 minutes in protest at a lack of recognition from the players.
There was no chanting, no banging of a drum and no waving of flags until five minutes from the end when the usual noise and colour returned.
“The players have shown no respect to La Familia, have not come to our stand after the games when we have guys come in as early as 11am to set up our tailgate and set up our flags inside the stadium,” JC Aviles of the Southern Legion supporter group told the Miami Herald.
“Not to mention, we sing our hearts out for 90-plus minutes. The only player that came to say hi was Noah Allen and everyone else goes straight to the locker room. Not cool!”
When they did start their usual songs, one in Spanish went: “Players, salute your fans, acknowledge your people, who ask nothing else of you!”
Messi stood on the halfway line, hands on hips with a disapproving look on his face while listening to the chant before moving closer to the North Stand and making a gesture with his hand.
Messi snubs North Stand ultras at the final whistle
At the final whistle, some players went over to the North Stand but Messi and fellow senior players Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul applauded the other stands and walked off.
Miami right-back Facunda Mura attempted to build bridges after the game, saying: “We as players are all at peace and united. We appreciate absolutely everything, the coaching staff, everyone at the club that gives us all we need, and the fans, who always support us. Today was a victory that we all deserved and I feel we need to stay together. We are super appreciative of them, they are part of us and we are all a family.”
Miami boss Guillermo Hoyos added: “Inter Miami is a huge club because of the players who have been champions and won many things, the people made their display, but I have no opinion on it.”
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