Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS) for grabbing the neck of New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy during a heated moment following the conclusion of a match on February 25, 2025. Messi's action, which violated the league's policy on inappropriate physical contact, occurred after the final whistle of the 2-2 draw. Although Ballouchy did not retaliate, the incident led to disciplinary action against the Inter Miami forward.

In addition to Messi, his teammate Luis Suárez was also fined for a similar violation. Suárez made contact with NYCFC player Birk Risa during a tense exchange just before halftime, touching the back of Risa's neck amid a heated discussion. Both players have been sanctioned, yet they remain eligible to play for Inter Miami in their upcoming matches, including a fixture against Houston Dynamo FC.

Inter Miami's head coach, Javier Mascherano, commented on the situation, emphasizing the emotional intensity that can arise during matches and suggesting that such incidents are often part of the game. He urged the media to avoid sensationalizing the events that take place on the pitch, reinforcing the idea that players' emotions can lead to heated exchanges, which should be left on the field. As the team prepares for their next challenges, Messi and Suárez will be looking to focus on their performances rather than past controversies.