Inter Miami won their first match of the 2026 MLS season after beating Orlando City 4-2 away from home.
The match saw Lionel Messi score two goals and provide an assist for the MLS champions. Inter Miami are on three points after two league games so far.
Fans also witnessed Messi showing more character on the pitch, making gestures towards the Orlando City bench after Inter Miami continued to score goals to complete their comeback win.
With Messi's gesture last night and his controversial moment with the referee last week in Los Angeles after the LAFC match, the Argentine star is labeled a 'villain' of the league.
Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/MLS via Getty Images
USMNT legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard reacted to Messi's exchange with the referee during the LAFC match last weekend, and Donovan considers Messi to have a villainous stature in the league with recent behavior.
Landon Donovan & Tim Howard on Lionel Messi
As they discuss Inter Miami, USMNT legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard agree that Messi has a villainous reputation in the MLS.
Landon Donovan reacts to MLS confirming that Messi did not enter the referee's locker room after the game, leading to him not being suspended.
Donovan gives Messi the benefit of the doubt that Messi did not violate any rules after confronting the referee after the LAFC vs. Inter Miami game last weekend.
Donovan said, "Messi picked up with his villainous stature. There's some confrontations with the match officials after the game. After further investigation, apparently, he never entered any restricted area. So he will not be suspended. Sometimes you know he did something, but for this one, I don't know."
With Messi's performative celebrations towards Orlando City fans and the team's bench, some fans believe he is slowly showing a different side of himself that many have not seen before.