LAFC opened the 2026 MLS season with a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami on February 21 at the LA Memorial Coliseum, with goals from David Martínez, Denis Bouanga, and Nathan Ordaz. The match drew 75,673 fans, the largest MLS season-opening crowd in league history. Lionel Messi played for Miami despite a hamstring strain but was held in check by LAFC's defense.
After the match, video captured Messi following match officials through a doorway in the stadium bowels. Teammate Luis Suárez attempted to restrain Messi by the arm, but Messi entered the doorway and emerged seconds later. MLS conducted a review and determined on February 22 that Messi did not violate league policy. According to the league spokesperson, the area Messi entered was neither the referees' locker room nor a restricted area, which would have been marked with signage. The Professional Referee Organization confirmed with match officials that Messi did not enter their locker room.
The incident drew comparisons to a 2023 case involving FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga, who received a three-match suspension (later reduced to two) for entering the referees' changing room after a playoff match. That case involved allegations that Miazga "angrily" confronted officials and was "forcibly removed," descriptions Cincinnati officials disputed. Messi has previously criticized MLS officiating in post-match interviews and received yellow cards for dissent, but has never faced disciplinary action for conduct toward referees.
