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MLS fines Lionel Messi for striking opponent during match

Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for an incident involving Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan in a recent match that ended in a draw.

22 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: MLS fines Lionel Messi for striking opponent during match — Archive photoPhoto: Кирилл Венедиктов · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar of Inter Miami, has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS) for striking Philadelphia Union's Quinn Sullivan during a match on Wednesday. This incident occurred during the closing moments of the game, which saw both teams finish with a score of 2-2.

According to multiple reports, Messi was penalized for slapping Sullivan on the neck while the ball was out of play. This action was noted by officials and has resulted in disciplinary measures from the league.

The specific amount of the fine has not been disclosed by the MLS. The league issued its statement following an internal investigation into the incident.

Alongside Messi, Ian Fray from Inter Miami was also reported to have faced penalties for separate incidents during the same match against the Philadelphia Union.

The confrontation between Messi and Sullivan has drawn attention in the soccer community, as Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. Such actions, especially involving high-profile players, often lead to greater scrutiny.

This fine adds to the ongoing discussions surrounding player conduct in professional soccer, as leagues are increasingly focused on maintaining sportsmanship on the field.

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