Inter Miami’s star player, Lionel Messi, recently expressed his frustration with the new Major League Soccer rule that forces an injured player to the sideline for two minutes. During a match against Montréal, Messi was fouled by defender George Campbell, resulting in a potential injury. Despite the severity of the incident, Campbell did not receive a yellow card for his actions. This left Messi visibly upset and shaking his head in anger as he was forced to leave the field at a crucial moment in the game. Miami’s coach, Gerardo Martino, also voiced his disapproval of the rule, stating that situations like Messi’s injury must be revised in the future.
In addition to Messi’s incident, Inter Miami faced another challenge with a new MLS rule during a substitution involving Luis Suárez. Suárez took too long to exit the field when being replaced by Leo Campana, causing a delay in the substitution process. This left Miami with only 10 men on the field in the final moments of the match. Martino explained that there was a disagreement with the fourth official regarding the timing of Suárez’s exit, highlighting the confusion and frustration caused by the new rule. According to MLS regulations, each player leaving the match must exit the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being raised for the final change.
Despite the challenges faced by Inter Miami due to the new MLS rules, the team managed to secure a 3-2 victory over Montréal. This win further solidified their position at the top of the Eastern Conference table, with 27 points in 13 games and an impressive 8-2-3 record. The victory served as a testament to the team’s resilience and ability to overcome obstacles, both on and off the field. Inter Miami’s performance demonstrated their determination to succeed in the face of adversity, showing that they are a force to be reckoned with in the MLS.
Inter Miami’s recent experience with the new MLS rules has highlighted the need for further review and consideration. The frustration expressed by Lionel Messi and Gerardo Martino reflects the challenges faced by players and coaches due to the implementation of these regulations. Moving forward, it is essential for the MLS to reevaluate these rules in order to ensure fair play and minimize disruptions during matches. Despite the setbacks faced by Inter Miami, the team’s resilience and determination have shone through, proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level in the league.