Morales (in blue jersey) engaged in a heated exchange with Messi (in pink jersey)
There was a heated exchange among three Argentines during Inter Miami’s 5-1 win over New York City in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference final on November 29, 2025.
During the game, Rodrigo De Paul called for a yellow card against Maxi Morales following a tackle on his teammate Falcón.
The action did not sit well with Morales, who confronted De Paul, sparking a tense exchange.
Football great Lionel Messi then joined the conversation to defend De Paul, telling Morales to meet him in the locker room, a comment that nearly escalated the situation before officials and teammates intervened to restore calm.
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This is how the conversation between the three players unfolded, as reported by martin_amestoy – picadotv:
De Paul: asked for a yellow card on a New York City player after his challenge on Falcón.
Morales: “Calm down, Rodrigo. And stop annoying everyone and asking for yellow cards.”
De Paul: “Shut your mouth. You got kicked out of Racing.” (De Paul’s former club in Argentina).
Morales: “And you should have the courage to go to the club and face things like I did.”
De Paul: “I go to Racing whenever I want, and if I want, I’ll buy the club.”
Morales: “If you go whenever you want, then you’re a coward for not going now to try to win the Copa Libertadores! And at 30 years old, you decided to come spend your vacation in Miami instead of competing for the Libertadores.”
Messi: “You need to respect me and respect him. You must show us respect.”
Morales: “Oh, sorry. I thought he was the one trying too hard to get close to you, not you trying too hard to get close to him.”
Messi: “I’ll be waiting for you now in the locker room.”
Morales: “Do you think I was born in New York? Of course I’ll go, you’ll find me at the locker room door… Who do you think you are?”
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