Lionel Messi gets amazing payback on player who celebrated right in his face
Lionel Messi got his revenge on a player who had gotten under his skin during Inter Miami’s 3-1 win away at Atlanta.
Messi recently ended his amazing international career with Argentina, receiving a heartfelt farewell in his last game. But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner isn’t done yet—he’s still making magic happen in the MLS with his club.
He scored two stunning solo goals just four minutes apart at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, bringing his season total to 29 goals. Now 39, Messi has scored over 900 goals in his career, but he seemed to enjoy his second goal the most.
That goal came after he skillfully left defender Junior Alonso struggling behind him before scoring and celebrating with a big smile. When Messi returned to the halfway line, he couldn’t resist teasing Alonso a little. Alongside his close friend Rodrigo De Paul, he celebrated right in front of the defender. This was unusual for the normally low-key Messi, who also made a spinning gesture, hinting at what he’d done to Alonso.
There was a backstory to Messi’s reaction. In a previous game between Inter Miami and Atlanta that ended 2-2, Alonso had celebrated right in Messi’s face after blocking one of his shots. Messi stayed calm on the field but was clearly upset afterward when he confronted Alonso. Players from both teams tried to calm things down, but Messi was clearly displeased with Alonso’s disrespect.
Alonso later explained their clash, saying: “Messi was angry because I celebrated a clearance near him. He told me that was out of line. I told him that when his Argentina teammates Romero, Paredes, and De Paul do that, he doesn’t say anything to them.”
This time, Messi got the better of Alonso with no reply from the defender.
Messi was named Man of the Match in a game played at the same stadium where he and Argentina beat England in the World Cup semi-final. Reflecting on the win on Instagram, he wrote: “Another victory with @intermiamicf in a stadium that brings back beautiful memories from a little while ago…..”
Inter Miami are currently second in the MLS Eastern Conference after 30 games. They’re back in action Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.