LM 10

 23 June, 2025

Lionel Messi 'breaks' FIFA protocol after Inter Miami's win over Porto, and no other player has got away with it at the Club World Cup.

Lionel Messi broke strict FIFA protocol during the Club World Cup, a feat no other player has achieved to date.

On Thursday evening, footballing great Messi led Inter Miami to a crucial 2-1 win over Porto in their second fixture of the Club World Cup.

After conceding a penalty early in the first half, the Argentine side came out firing in the second half, scoring two goals within the first nine minutes of kick-off.

Midfielder Telasco Segovia scored the MLS side's first goal of the match before Messi scored a spectacular free kick to win the game and significantly boost Inter Miami's chances of making it to the round of 16.

However, immediately after the match, one reporter following Inter Miami noticed that the Barcelona legend broke one strict protocol that all players have been following during the competition.

Messi's impressive performance during the match led to him being named the Player of the Match.

So far throughout the tournament, the player given the award has held a postgame press conference, but, despite hopes within the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, journalist Franco Panizo confirmed that Messi decided not to on Thursday.


How can Lionel Messi's Inter Miami progress to the round of 16?

Inter Miami will be back in action for their final group stage match of the Club World Cup in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as they take on Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock Stadium.