Lionel Messi Walks Off After Scoring in Inter Miami 4-1 Victory

Just like the headlines suggested, Lionel Messi caused a stir despite scoring in Inter Miami’s 4-1 win over New York Red Bulls on May 4, 2025. While the victory snapped a three-match losing streak, it was Messi’s unusual post-match behavior that grabbed attention as he walked straight down the tunnel without joining teammates in celebration. Messi netted his team’s fourth goal with a classic finish, joining Luis Suarez, Fafa Picault, and Marcelo Weingandt on the scoresheet in a dominant performance.

The match, held at Chade Stadium, gave Inter Miami a much-needed boost and moved them up to fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference. Despite the big win, Messi looked visibly fatigued during the second half and left the pitch immediately after the final whistle. There's been no official explanation for his early exit, leaving fans and media to speculate. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano praised the team’s clinical first-half performance and highlighted the focus on ball control in the second half to keep New York at bay.