Despite scoring in Inter Miami’s recent victory and momentarily lifting his team out of a slump, Lionel Messi’s frustration behind the scenes has sparked speculation about deeper issues within the squad.
Despite scoring in Inter Miami’s recent victory and momentarily lifting his team out of a slump, Lionel Messi’s frustration behind the scenes has sparked speculation about deeper issues within the squad. The 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls may have looked dominant on paper, but for Messi, the performance exposed a problem that can’t be fixed by goals alone.
While fans celebrated the much-needed result, one moment told a different story: The Argentine superstar, after scoring his team’s fourth goal, walked off the pitch visibly dissatisfied, skipping the post-match celebrations and heading straight down the tunnel. Now, Javier Mascherano, his longtime friend and current Inter Miami coach, has offered a revealing explanation.
Though Messi’s highlight reel moment against the Red Bulls included a memorable goal and a warm gesture toward a pitch invader, it was clear that something wasn’t right. The Herons’ captain was not content, even in victory. And according to Mascherano, it all comes down to Messi’s standards—standards that not everyone in the squad seems able to meet.
“He’s a competitive beast. That’s normal,” the 40-year-old boss said, speaking about Messi’s mindset during and after the match. “We know his level of demand, not only with himself but with all around him.”
🚶♂️ Messi Immediately Walks Off at Final Whistle.
While Inter Miami stays on the field to relish the 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls, Lionel Messi walks directly to the locker room without much celebration.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/p26fvb0tIf
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) May 4, 2025
Messi’s intensity is no secret to those who have worked closely with him over the years. But in Miami, surrounded by a mix of veterans and young talent, that competitiveness has turned into tension. Three consecutive losses prior to the Red Bulls game had already stretched the patience of the Argentine icon, and even a strong rebound performance didn’t fix what he views as a lack of cohesion.
Messi without Suarez: Missing link
A major part of the issue, it turns out, is the absence of Messi’s close friend and long-time strike partner, Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward missed the recent game for “personal reasons” and isn’t expected to play against Minnesota United either.
Their partnership goes back to their glory days at Barcelona, and at Inter Miami, Suarez has been one of the few players with whom the Argentiine has consistent chemistry. The “Barcelona core” of Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets has been responsible for 13 of Messi’s 25 MLS goals.
Without Suarez, Messi is forced to adapt to a supporting cast that includes names like Fafa Picault, Allen Obando, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Telasco Segovia—players still trying to find rhythm and understanding with the Argentine. It’s a shift that has not come easily.
Former USMNT forward Hercules Gomez, who attended the match, shared his observations on ESPN’s Futbol Americas and later on social media: “Messi’s frustration with his teammates was evident,” Gomez posted.
“If he gives it to one of his friends — Alba, Busquets, Suarez — he knows there’s the capacity to return that play to him. A lot of times when he gives it to another player, he waits… because he knows, that’s probably not going to get there.”
