Although Lionel Messi did not participate in the match between Inter Miami and Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals, he was the hero of the match from the stands.
According to American media, Messi quarreled with Monterrey coach Fernando “Tano” Ortiz because of the latter’s statements against the Argentine star.
Before the match, Tano said that the referee was being courteous to Inter Miami because of Messi’s presence there, and as soon as the player met the coach, he began to reprimand him, and a huge quarrel occurred between them at Chase Stadium.
Tano confirmed that the altercation with Messi had occurred, but he refused to give details and merely said, “What happened there will remain there, and my intentions were always good.”
The Monterrey administration filed a complaint with CONCACAF against Messi because of his behavior towards the coach, while Tano confirmed that he does not know the truth about this matter yet.
Monterrey won at Inter Miami Stadium 2-1, and the two teams are scheduled to meet again in Mexico next Thursday in a match that is expected to witness Messi’s participation as he finally recovers from the injury.
