Messi and Don Garber had an animated exchange during the celebrations after Lionel Messi scored one goal and created the other in Inter Miami’s Campeones Cup win.
Miami’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul brought Messi to 100 goals in 115 appearances for the club across all competitions. The player who leads Barcelona’s all-time scoring list reached his Miami century with a header from Luis Suárez’s cross, opening the scoring in the 24th minute.
Messi and Don Garber haven’t disclosed the subject of their conversation at Nu Stadium. Whether it involved refereeing, their old All-Star disagreement or something else remains unknown.
In July, Garber had described a relationship that was improving without being fully repaired. “He’s still mad at me, man. We’re communicating a little bit more,” he told Front Office Sports before the World Cup final.
Why Messi and Don Garber’s relationship became strained
In July 2025, MLS barred Messi and Jordi Alba from Miami’s next match, against Cincinnati, after both missed the All-Star Game without the league’s approval. Its participation policy made an unapproved absence grounds for missing the next club fixture.
An exhibition absence had become a first-team selection problem. Miami managing owner Jorge Mas called the punishment “draconian,” publicly challenging a decision that left his club without two players for a competitive match.
Garber’s official statement tried to hold two positions together. He praised Messi’s contribution to MLS and respected his commitment to Miami, while defending enforcement of the existing policy. He also committed to reviewing the policy with players.
“I don’t think he wants to talk to me,” Garber said with a laugh at an August 2025 appearance hosted by Front Office Sports. He nevertheless defended the need to establish precedents and make league rules apply to everyone. Admiration for Messi hadn’t stopped the league from keeping him out of a match.
For Messi and Don Garber, the following summer brought a different outcome. MLS excused Messi and Rodrigo De Paul from the 2026 All-Star Game under an agreement with the players’ association covering individual rest and return plans after the World Cup. Neither faced a suspension. The league had punished one absence and approved another.
Against Cruz Azul, Messi’s value to Miami was easier to measure. His corner found summer signing Casemiro for the 81st-minute header that secured the result. Cristian “Kily” González finished his first game in charge with a trophy.
Cruz Azul had also conceded Messi’s first Miami goal, in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Three years later, the same opponent was on the receiving end of his 100th.
The history between Messi and Don Garber shows the awkwardness of celebrating that contribution while administering obligations that can put the league and its star at odds. It doesn’t identify the cause of the latest exchange. The commissioner who praises Messi’s importance is also the commissioner who has had to tell him no.
