Lionel Messi’s frustration boiled over late against Philadelphia and MLS has given their verdict
Lionel Messi slapping 22-year-old USMNT and Philadelphia Union forward Quinn Sullivan in the back of the head 😮 pic.twitter.com/E87sMnhvng
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 20, 2026
The Incident
Major League Soccer confirmed that Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for violating the league’s policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent.
That moment came in the 101st minute of Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw between Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union when Messi and Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan exchanged words after a stoppage.
The video shows Messi hitting Sullivan in the back of the head with an open hand. In retaliation, Sullivan got in Messi’s face and the two had to be separated, helping spark a wider clash between both benches.
The Fallout
Messi was not the only one punished. Teammate Ian Fray was also fined for contact with an opponent’s neck in the same chaos of stoppage time.
In another ruling, MLS rescinded the red card shown to Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, Quinn’s 16-year-old younger brother, who jumped in to defend him in the scuffle.
The timing adds another dimension to the story. Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge, in Wednesday’s draw.
Fines for such breaches are generally kept confidential by the league, and neither MLS nor Inter Miami have commented further on the punishment given to their captain.
