Lionel Messi rugby tackled by pitch invader and dragged down in safety failure
Lionel Messi was rugby tackled to the ground by an overzealous pitch invader and security during Inter Miami’s friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico
Lionel Messi was caught up in the security takedown(Image: Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi was rugby tackled to the ground after an overzealous pitch invader managed to grab hold of the superstar during an Inter Miami match.
The World Cup winner couldn’t remain upright in Thursday night’s friendly as the supporter wrapped their arms around him, before being brought down by a security official.
Inter Miami’s encounter with Independiente del Valle, at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was interrupted in the 89th minute as several supporters sprinted onto the pitch. Messi autographed one fan’s shirt, whilst another snapped a selfie with him.
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However, a topless pitch invader, who had already tumbled but evaded capture, then sprinted towards the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain legend and clung onto him.
A security member responsible for clearing the pitch brought the man down and dragged Messi with him, reports the Mirror.
The MLS superstar fortunately escaped uninjured and was quickly back on his feet. The fixture eventually resumed with a couple of minutes of stoppage time.
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Messi, who entered the fray in the 43rd minute, netted from the penalty spot to secure Inter Miami a 2-1 triumph over their Ecuadorian rivals. The pitch invasion wasn’t the evening’s first drama after kick-off was reportedly postponed for a full hour.
It’s understood that a kit clash, with Independiente del Valle and Miami both ultimately sporting predominantly-black strips, made the teams challenging to distinguish.
The friendly occurred just days following Inter Miami’s season-opening MLS fixture. Messi’s outfit lost to LAFC last weekend and return to action again Sunday for a trip to face Florida rivals Orlando City.
The fixture was originally scheduled to occur during pre-season. A clash arranged for February 13 was cancelled after Messi, as the primary attraction, experienced discomfort in his hamstring.
“Hi everyone, I wanted to send this message to the people of Puerto Rico and all the people that will be going to the training session and game,” Messi said in a video prior to the match being postponed.
“To be honest, during the last game in Ecuador I concluded with a muscle strain, which is why I left the field early. So, together with the people of the organisation and Inter Miami it was decided to suspend this game.
“We hope it can be reprogrammed, and we can see each other. Visit you soon. Sending a hug to you all and thank you for all the love that you always give. I hope we can do it in the future, all the best.”
