Revealed: How MLS star Lionel Messi ‘complains’ to referees – with Inter Miami & Argentina icon taking a different approach to Cristiano Ronaldo

Honduran official Said Martinez has explained how Portuguese superstar CR7 can allow in-game passion to get the better of him, with emotion spilling out of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner when contesting decisions that he considers to be wrong.

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In contrast, Messi – who has eight Golden Balls to his name – prefers to indulge in considered debate. Martinez has told Rely Maradiaga’s YouTube channel of dealing with the World Cup winner, having taken charge of his first match at Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup: “He doesn’t get angry easily. When he complains about something, he is usually calm.

"I saw the most humble gesture of Messi that day. The whole stadium was chanting his name and he came to shake hands with four Honduran referees. The stadium was chanting 'Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi', and he went to shake our hands and congratulated us and gave us a pat on the back and said what a good game and what a good job. That kind of thing is worth more than anything else.”

Martinez has also revealed that he boasts a special Messi memento that he will be saving for his daughter. He added on another experience with Argentina’s GOAT: “There is something I've never revealed in the media. There is a very special object I have saved for when my daughter turns 15. I'm not someone who takes photos with players; for me, all players are the same. I'm there to do my job. However, I went with the dressing room delegate to check some things during a match involving Messi.

“At that moment Leo Messi was there signing some things. I decided to take out the FIFA card with which I officiated in the Gold Cup final between Mexico and Panama. It would be a memento for my daughter, not me. As you can see on the card, it says: 'For Siham Martínez, with love, Leo Messi'. This is Messi's original signature; this is the precious object I have from him. It's Messi's handwriting. He took the time to write it. These details are worth more than gold; it's an invaluable memory.”

Messi will be hoping to avoid any run-ins with match officials over the coming weeks as Inter Miami prepare to enter the MLS play-offs. They have already collected the Supporters’ Shield, with a record-breaking single season points haul in their sights, and are turning collective focus towards a historic MLS Cup triumph.