Messi Hauled Down by Pitch Invader During Inter Miami Friendly Win

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Argentina captain Lionel Messi was briefly caught up in a chaotic moment after a pitch invader wrestled him to the ground during Inter Miami’s friendly victory over Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.

The incident occurred late in the match and raised fresh concerns about player security at high-profile fixtures.
What Happened
Messi, who came on as a half-time substitute, was approached by multiple fans who had already made their way onto the pitch in an attempt to get close to the Inter Miami star.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining, the situation escalated when:
Messi was taking a selfie with one supporter
Another spectator suddenly grabbed him around the waist
The pair, along with a security guard, fell to the turf in the struggle
Security personnel reacted quickly and restored order within moments.

Messi Unharmed
Fortunately for Inter Miami, Messi appeared unharmed after the incident. The Argentine forward calmly got back to his feet and moved away as additional security reinforcements arrived.

Despite the disruption, Messi had already made his mark on the match, converting from the penalty spot.
Match Result
Inter Miami secured a 2–1 victory over Independiente del Valle.
Goalscorers:
Lionel Messi (penalty)
Santiago Morales

The friendly had originally been scheduled for 13 February but was postponed after Messi was dealing with a hamstring issue.

Miami Looking to Bounce Back in MLS
Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, will now turn their attention back to Major League Soccer after beginning their MLS campaign with a 3–0 defeat to LAFC last weekend.

Their next test comes with a trip to state rivals Orlando City on Sunday, where they will be hoping to build momentum ahead of the new season.

Final Word
While the match ended positively for Inter Miami, the pitch invasion incident once again highlights the growing security challenges surrounding global superstars like Messi.

Clubs and organisers will likely review safety measures to ensure better protection for players in future fixtures.