A celebration that lit the fuse

The match between Inter Miami and Atlas in the 2025 Leagues Cup ended with anything but calm. After a dramatic 96th-minute assist from Lionel Messi that led to Marcelo Weigandt’s goal, the Argentine superstar celebrated with passion—going straight to Matías Cóccaro and shouting the goal in his face.

It wasn’t random provocation. Minutes earlier, Cóccaro had celebrated Rivaldo Lozano’s equalizer with intensity, and Messi clearly remembered it. The moment was caught on camera and went viral, sparking heated debate among fans.

The gesture that changed everything

Just when it seemed the tension might linger, Messi surprised everyone again. After the final whistle, he approached Cóccaro, hugged him, and apologized for the celebration. The Atlas forward later confirmed it: “He came over, hugged me, and apologized. That speaks volumes about him as a player. He’s the greatest of all time—you can’t say anything.”

Instead of prolonging the tension, the two Argentinians shook hands, and the match ended with a jersey swap. A far more sportsmanlike conclusion to a fiery game filled with arguments, shoving—and even Messi’s bodyguard stepping in.

Respect between cracks

Messi proved that even in the heat of the moment, he knows when to own up. His apology, his embrace, and his humility after the match spoke just as loudly as his football. And for Cóccaro, the clash didn’t end in bad blood… but in a story to tell involving the GOAT.