Revealed: What Lionel Messi said during furious exchange with MLS referee as Inter Miami superstar brutally labels official a 'coward'

The Argentine superstar registered two assists for the Herons as they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with New York City FC at Chase Stadium. A point was snatched in the 100th minute of an absorbing contest that saw the hosts reduced to 10 men midway through the first half.

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Messi was less than impressed at that decision, which saw Tomas Aviles dismissed 18 minutes after he had opened the scoring, while various other big calls led to anger boiling up inside Inter Miami’s talismanic captain. He was ready to explode at the final whistle.

Messi grabbed a member of New York City’s coaching team by the neck, having already been involved in a bad-tempered exchange with referee Alexis Da Silva that led to him being shown a yellow card. That caution was handed out for dissent.

According to TyC Sports, who have had a lip reader on the case, Messi yelled “you’re a coward” at Da Silva when taking issue with how Inter Miami’s game had been officiated. The South American had plenty more to say, but made a point of using a hand to cover his mouth.

Messi, who remains as determined as ever to emerge victorious in every game that he graces, will be back in action on Tuesday when facing Sporting KC in CONCACAF Champions Cup competition. It was his goal, registered in freezing weather conditions, that earned Inter Miami a 1-0 win in the first leg of that encounter.