Angry fans wanted Lionel Messi booked for trying to gain an advantage during Inter Miami vs. Nashville.
Inter Miami and Nashville renewed their hostilities on Thursday following the Leagues Cup final earlier this month.
The Florida-based outfit beat Nashville to win their first-ever trophy, with the two sides playing against each other last night.
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They met in a MLS fixture, with both teams earning a point following the goalless draw at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi produced a moment of magic to pick out Jordi Alba, but failed to inspire Inter Miami to victory.
His outrageous pass wasn't his only talking point as people online slammed the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner for trying to gain an unfair advantage.
Inter Miami were awarded a free-kick, with Messi standing over the ball. But before he took the set piece, he kept moving the ball ever so slightly to create a better angle for himself.
However, the match referee noticed his trick and told him to move the ball back to the original point of the foul.
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Though the 36-year-old continued to position the ball in a different spot before eventually taking the free-kick.
Despite moving the ball, he was able to score or assist. But his trickery angered fans on social media as they slammed the Argentine.
One X user wrote: "No card for Messi lol. But Ronaldo can get his goal disallowed by doing what every football would do to get on a corner kick."
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A second added: "This is too much it's embarrassing... there should have been a card because he kept doing it."
A third fumed: "Should have gotten a yellow after the first warning."
A fourth said: "He is so shameless."
Another commented: "He has been doing this his whole career."
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Was Messi lucky to avoid a yellow card? Let us know what you think.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Football, Fan Reactions
Nasir Jabbar