An unlikely person helped save Lionel Messi from receiving a postmatch red card on Wednesday night — San Jose Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena.
Messi of Inter Miami was irate when he was tackled just outside the box during second-half stoppage time of the 3-3 tie in San Jose. He barked at the officials after the non-call and his frustration increased after the contest ended, resulting in a yellow card.
Messi was still barking at the officials while shaking hands with assorted players on the field when he headed over to further confront the trio. Head referee Joe Dickerson said “walk away now” to the fuming Messi.
But there was Arena standing in the mix with Messi and the three officials, serving as part peacemaker and part negotiator before personally walking Messi away.
“He was obviously not happy, and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to get a red card,” Arena said during his postgame news conference. “I just tried to move him out of the way, because for him to get a red card at the end of the game would have been ridiculous.
“I just wanted to make sure we get him out of there and he’s ready to play the next game for Miami.”
Messi has five goals and three assists in nine MLS matches this season entering Sunday’s home game against Orlando City.
The tie with the Earthquakes gave Inter Miami a point but the club is just 1-2-1 over the last four MLS matches and 1-4-1 across all competitions. Miami has allowed 17 goals in the six matches.
–Field Level Media
