Lionel Messi of Inter Miami has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS) after striking an opponent on the back of the neck during a heated exchange in a league match.

According to foreign media reports such as AFP, the MLS Disciplinary Committee announced on August 22 (KST) that "Messi violated the rule prohibiting players from putting their hands on an opponent's face, head, or neck," resulting in a fine.

However, the exact amount of the fine was not disclosed.

During an away match against the Philadelphia Union on August 20, with the score tied 2-2 in stoppage time, Messi engaged in a brief verbal altercation near the centerline with Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan.

While expressing frustration over Sullivan's use of his elbow, Messi struck Sullivan on the back of the neck with his left hand. An angered Sullivan immediately confronted Messi, squaring up head-to-head before the referee rushed in to separate them.

The referee, who did not witness the strike, did not issue a card during the match, prompting the MLS Disciplinary Committee to hand down the fine after the game concluded.