San Jose’s head coach stepped in at the last moment to prevent a potential suspension drama for the superstar
It’s not every day you see an opponent step in to help Lionel Messi – but that’s exactly what happened after the final whistle in the MLS clash between the San Jose Earthquakes and Inter Miami.
Following an intense and goal-packed 3–3 draw, Messi couldn’t hide his frustration with the referee team. The Argentine superstar voiced his complaints loudly and was promptly shown a yellow card. But that didn’t stop him. On the contrary, he kept going – and was clearly close to talking himself into a red card.
Bruce Arena stepped in – and stepped up
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That’s when San Jose’s head coach, Bruce Arena, unexpectedly intervened. He walked straight over to Messi and led him away from the situation – and from the referee’s potential red card.
“He was obviously upset, and I just wanted to make sure he didn’t get sent off,” Arena explained afterwards, according to Reuters. “It would’ve been silly to get a red after the match. I just wanted to make sure he’s available for Inter Miami’s next game.”
A rare sight – and a fair gesture
Arena was praised for his actions, which showed not only respect for his opponent but also an understanding of the match’s emotional intensity. With Messi being one of the league’s biggest stars, a red card and subsequent suspension would have been a loss – not just for Inter Miami, but for the entertainment value of the entire MLS.
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So instead of a sending-off and a dramatic headline, the night ended with an unexpected – and almost comical – act of fair play, where the rival became the rescuer of an enraged superstar.
Source: Bold
