New Delhi: Lionel Messi was shockingly knocked down on the ground, entangled in a tussle between a fan intruder and a security official during Inter Miami’s friendly match against Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Thursday. The fan stormed onto the pitch during the game and tried to hug Messi.
The incident happened during the 88th minute of the exhibition match, which was played at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon. Messi was standing next to a teammate and chatting when a fan came and grabbed his waist from behind, trying to hug the Inter Miami superstar.
Messi was pulled down to the ground as a security official tried to separate the fan from him. The Argentine football icon appeared unharmed after the incident and walked to another part of the pitch as the fan was escorted out by the security guard. A clip of the incident went viral on social media.
Watch Lionel Messi taken down by a fan and security official:
Un aficionado invadió el campo durante un amistoso entre Independiente del Valle (Ecuador) e Inter de Miami en Puerto Rico, empujando al delantero argentino Lionel Messi, comunicó el diario deportivo Marca.
El incidente ocurrió al final del segundo tiempo. El hincha corrió hacia… pic.twitter.com/ZOswulvNGD
— @REDSOCIALTV (@REDSOCIALTV1) February 28, 2026
Messi scored as Inter Miami defeated Independiente del Valle 2-1 in the friendly match. Santiago Morales opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 16th minute to give them an early lead before Messi scored the winner in the 70th minute to help his side win the exhibition game.
The friendly match was originally scheduled to be played on February 13, however, it was postponed due to Messi not being fully fit to take the field at the time. The Argentine maestro experienced some discomfort in his leg during Inter Miami’s friendly match against Ecuador’s Barcelona earlier this month, leading to the postponement of the friendly against Independiente del Valle.