Messi's on-pitch comment won't be forgotten by opponent who refused to back down

01 March 2024 , 16:49

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Edwin Cerrillo will remember Lionel Messi's trash talk for the rest of his life (Image: Getty)

LA Galaxy star Edwin Cerrillo says his bad interaction with Inter Miami' s Lionel Messi will "remain" with him for the rest of his life.

The pair clashed during the tight 1-1 contest on Sunday that saw Messi score a late equaliser following Marco Delgado's red card. In the first half, Galaxy midfielder Edwin Cerrillo squared up to Miami star Luis Suarez, provoking a reaction out of Messi.

"First I was surprised that [Messi] was talking to me, so I didn’t understand the first thing he said to me, nor did it register with me," Cerrillo told TyC Sports. "He was serious and at that moment I knew I needed to stay calm because it was early in the game.”

Throughout the game, Cerrillo refused to back down from the four Barcelona legends, who have all joined David Beckham 's project in the Sunshine State. "Like with anyone, I wasn’t going to stay silent," Cerrillo continued.

"And when Suárez and [Sergio] Busquets came to defend [Messi]... Well, it’s nice, but it’s part of football and at that moment was when I had to be calm.”

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Cerrillo has refused to reveal what Messi said to him, though. And it's not the World Cup-winning Argentine's iconic: "Que miras, bobo?"

"What was said will remain with me, it is something that I will always have in my mind and I will keep that," Cerrillo said. Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba all joined Inter Miami during the 2023 season and helped the franchise win the Leagues Cup, as well as reach the US Open Cup final.

Edwin Cerrillo had a confrontation with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi (Getty)

However, they were unable to help Inter Miami climb back into playoff contention. They will fancy their chances this year, though, with the team unbeaten in their first two fixtures and sitting top of the Eastern Conference, while boasting four iconic legends.

Galaxy Manager Greg Vanney was left in awe of Messi. “Everybody sees his quality on the ball,” Vanney said. “For me, it’s his brain. It’s what he sees on the field. He recognizes different spaces. He knows where everybody is all the time. He’s already organized what the next series of plays is looking like – not just the next pass, but the next series of passes. It’s just 90 minutes of calculation.”

Inter Miami will contest a Florida Derby at the weekend when they host Orlando City. A second MLS win of the season will solidify Inter Miami's spot at the top.

Joshua Mbu