The incident took place at Subaru Park during a tense match that saw both teams repeatedly clash, ultimately resulting in two red cards. Messi's actions may now be subject to review by the MLS Disciplinary Committee. Deporte Total USA reports that the Argentine star is likely to face an investigation, which could lead to a financial penalty.

In the 12th minute of stoppage time, Quinn Sullivan, Cavan's older brother, tangled with Inter Miami defender Ian Fray, falling to the ground. Fray then appeared to step on Quinn, causing the Philadelphia player to react, which led to a scuffle between the two.

Cavan Sullivan immediately rushed to his brother's defense. The 16-year-old midfielder then confronted Inter Miami's Yannick Bright. The two players pushed each other as other players intervened.

Messi also appeared, tapping Sullivan's head. This incident drew attention, as Messi is always a focal point on the field. The 16-year-old midfielder then attempted to confront Messi, but Inter Miami players quickly moved to protect their captain.

Both Sullivan and Bright ultimately received direct red cards for violent conduct, while Quinn was shown a yellow card. This marked Sullivan's first red card in his brief professional career.

At just 16, Sullivan has emerged as one of MLS's most promising young talents. He signed with Philadelphia Union in 2024 and has a pre-arranged agreement to transfer to Man City when he turns 18. In this match, Sullivan played the full 90 minutes, challenging Inter Miami's defense with his speed, dribbling, and link-up play.

Messi falls after a collision with Philadelphia Union's Kai Wagner (27), while Quinn Sullivan (33) watches in the second half of an MLS match in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on 19/8/2026. Photo: AP

Philadelphia interim coach Ryan Richter stated that Cavan did not deserve a red card. He also criticized Fray for instigating the incident, arguing that the Inter Miami defender acted disrespectfully towards Quinn. "I don't think Cavan's reaction warranted a red card. He pulled a player's shirt and then was hit on the head", Richter said, expressing hope for a fair review of the situation.

Prior to the altercation, Messi had a strong performance. The 39-year-old forward scored in the 26th minute, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. This marked Messi's first goal since his father, Jorge Messi, passed away on 8/8.

Earlier, Messi contributed to Inter Miami's equalizer, delivering an accurate pass to Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward then headed the ball across the goal for Daniel Pinter to tap in his first MLS goal.

Despite Messi's contributions, Inter Miami could not secure a win. Philadelphia equalized in the 58th minute and maintained pressure throughout the remaining match. The home team registered 17 shots, while Inter Miami managed 5.

In the final moments, the focus shifted entirely to the altercation. Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos characterized the incident as a natural outcome of a competitive match. "That's part of the game. We want to win, and they want to win too", Hoyos stated. "Both teams played with maximum effort, so emotions ran high."

However, Messi's actions may be reviewed independently of the two red cards issued at the match's conclusion. Should the MLS Disciplinary Committee determine that tapping Sullivan's head violated regulations, the Inter Miami captain could face a penalty.

Messi remains Inter Miami's most crucial player, especially during a challenging period for the club. The Florida side has not secured a win in its last four matches, earning only one point against Philadelphia despite Messi's goal. Inter Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference, trailing Nashville by seven points.

Hoang An compiled