Messi Tackled During Exhibition Match in Puerto Rico

During a friendly match in Puerto Rico on Thursday, soccer superstar Lionel Messi experienced a surprising moment when he was tackled and brought to the ground. This incident took place in the 88th minute of the game, which was part of an exhibition tour. While his team, Inter Miami, was facing Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, a fan dashed onto the field and grabbed Messi around the waist, only to be quickly pulled away by security.

Fortunately, Messi seemed to be unharmed by the encounter, promptly getting up and moving to another area of the pitch. This kind of situation raises eyebrows—especially considering the ongoing concerns about Messi’s safety since he joined Major League Soccer. His main bodyguard, Yasin Chueco, has been noticeably protective, following Messi closely during matches. However, in a controversial decision last year, Inter Miami altered Chueco’s role, preventing him from being on the field during games to safeguard Messi.

Chueco, expressing frustration over this change, noted the risks involved. He mentioned, “I’ve been in Europe for seven years, working in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people have invaded the pitch. I’ve been in America for just over a year, and already it’s happened 16 times.” His concerns seem valid, especially after the incident in early 2026 when an intruder managed to reach Messi during a game.

Originally, Thursday’s match was set for February 13 but was delayed due to Messi feeling discomfort in his foot during a previous game against another Ecuadorian team. In this latest match, Miami secured a victory with a score of 2-1, with goals coming from Santiago Morales and Messi.

As the team prepares for their next match against Orlando City after a tough loss to LAFC, one can’t help but wonder how they’ll address the safety concerns that have been bubbling under the surface for quite some time.