Former Major League Soccer (MLS) forward Alan Gordon has openly criticized Lionel Messi, alleging that the Inter Miami captain threatened his fellow Argentine, Pedro de la Vega, during a heated moment in the Leagues Cup final.
According to Gordon, Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, allegedly told De la Vega that he would “never play for Argentina” following an on-field clash. The shocking claim has sparked intense debate within the football community, especially as it involves Messi in his role as captain of both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
The Heated Leagues Cup Final
The controversial incident reportedly took place during the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders last Sunday. Seattle stunned Messi’s side with a convincing 3–0 victory, which set the stage for tempers to flare at the final whistle.
Players and staff from both clubs engaged in heated confrontations after the match. Among the notable clashes was the face-off between De la Vega and Messi, with the involvement of Messi’s long-time Argentina teammate, Rodrigo de Paul.
Pedro de la Vega, who played a crucial role for the Sounders and was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, found himself in direct conflict with Messi and De Paul during the game.
Messi’s Alleged Threat to De la Vega
Alan Gordon claimed on the Major League Journeymen podcast that Messi used his influence as Argentina’s captain to threaten the 24-year-old midfielder.
“Messi told him to his face, ‘You will never play for the national team as long as I am involved,’” Gordon said. “He basically blackballed him on the field, and to me, that is absolutely disgusting.”
De la Vega, who has not yet made his debut for the Argentina senior squad, could see his future at the international level jeopardized if the allegations are true. Gordon insisted that Messi’s actions went beyond the spirit of competition, describing the behavior as manipulative and damaging for a young player’s career.
What This Means for Argentina
Despite the controversy, Argentina continues to focus on their journey toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with upcoming fixtures against Venezuela and Ecuador. For De la Vega, the allegations, if proven true, could significantly affect his international aspirations.
This situation also raises broader questions about the role of senior players in national teams and the influence they hold over the selection process. Messi’s global reputation and legendary status make the accusations even more impactful, drawing widespread attention from both fans and analysts.
As of now, neither Messi nor De la Vega has made an official public statement addressing Gordon’s claims.
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