Lionel Messi once again delivered a moment that transcended football. What started as a heated exchange during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlas in the 2025 Leagues Cup ended with a powerful act of sportsmanship between the Argentine legend and fellow countryman Matías Cóccaro.

What happened between Messi and Cóccaro during the match?

Tensions flared late in the game. After Rivaldo Lozano scored a dramatic equalizer for Atlas, Matías Cóccaro celebrated with passion, rallying his teammates. But in the 96th minute, Messi responded with a clutch assist to Marcelo Weigandt, who netted the winner for Inter Miami.

In the heat of the moment, Messi turned and shouted the goal directly in Cóccaro’s face, a fiery response to the earlier celebration. The footage quickly went viral, sparking debate over the emotional outburst from the World Cup champion.

How did Messi react after the final whistle?

Rather than let the tension linger, Messi approached Cóccaro immediately after the match, hugged him, and offered a sincere apology.

“He came over, hugged me, and apologized. That says everything about who he is as a player. He’s the greatest of all time—what can you say?” said Cóccaro.

To top it off, Messi gifted Cóccaro his match-worn jersey, a gesture that left the Atlas striker visibly emotional.

How did Cóccaro respond to Messi’s gesture?

Speaking to media, Cóccaro explained that it was all about the intensity of the moment:

“When we scored the equalizer, I fired up my teammates, and he didn’t like it. Then they scored and he celebrated back. After the match, we hugged, and I just said, ‘What could I possibly say to you?’”

Messi’s words left a mark: “He told me, ‘I’ll send you the shirt.’ For him to apologize like that shows the kind of person he is.”

“That gesture makes him even greater. He’s the best in history. I’ll keep quiet for him… for no one else. And Suárez too—he’s my idol.”

The image of Cóccaro smiling while holding Messi’s No. 10 shirt became the lasting memory of a hard-fought match, ending in mutual respect between two Argentine warriors.