Lionel Messi knocked down as fans storm the pitch during Inter Miami friendly in Puerto Rico

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A fan who got onto the field grabs Inter Miami's Lionel Messi at the end of an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
A fan who got onto the field grabs Inter Miami's Lionel Messi at the end of an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Fans wearing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi jersey are seen before the start of an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Fans wearing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi jersey are seen before the start of an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi grabs the jersey of Jhegson Méndez of Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during an international friendly soccer match in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi grabs the jersey of Jhegson Méndez of Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during an international friendly soccer match in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi competes for the ball with Ronald Briones of Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during an international friendly soccer match in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi competes for the ball with Ronald Briones of Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during an international friendly soccer match in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Lionel Messi, center, Micael Dos Santos Silva, left, and Rodrigo de Paul of Inter Miami are seen during warmups before their international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Lionel Messi, center, Micael Dos Santos Silva, left, and Rodrigo de Paul of Inter Miami are seen during warmups before their international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
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11:22 AM on Friday, February 27

The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Soccer star Lionel Messi was knocked to the ground by a fan and a security guard at the end of Inter Miami's friendly match in Puerto Rico.

Inter Miami was playing Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in Bayamón on Thursday when a fan ran to the center circle and grabbed Messi by the waist before both were pulled down by a security guard.

Messi appeared to be unharmed. The Argentine star immediately got up and walked to another part of the pitch.

It happened around the 88th minute of the exhibition tour match. Several fans jumped onto the pitch at Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium.

The match was originally scheduled for Feb. 13, but was postponed because Messi felt discomfort in his leg during the previous exhibition match against Barcelona SC of Ecuador.

Santiago Morales and Messi scored in the 16th and 70th minutes respectively to give Inter Miami a 2-1 win.

Miami, which started its MLS season with a 3-0 loss to LAFC, faces Orlando City next Sunday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

This content is used here with permission. To view the original visit: https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-inter-miami-puerto-rico-59a8656c1930dc78109c5d53b40749af
 

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