Lionel Messi 'strikes private agreement' to bypass strict MLS rule

Lionel Messi has reportedly struck up a 'private agreement' to partially bypass a strict MLS rule while he is at Inter Miami.

The 36-year-old has already made great waves since arriving in the United States, helping his new club to win the Leagues Cup last month.

He then scored on his MLS debut against New York Red Bulls last Saturday.

Remarkably, Wednesday's 0-0 draw at home to Nashville - Messi's first league game at his new home stadium - was the first time he failed to score or assist in his first 11 matches.

While Inter Miami fans may have been disappointed not to see their star player on the scoresheet on Saturday, Messi has brought great success to the club thus far.

But he has also been allowed to tow the line slightly when it comes to some of the MLS rules.

One such rule is that players must be made available to conduct post-match interviews with the league's media team, or broadcast partner Apple TV.

Another rule is that, before and after training sessions, players must be made available for 15 minutes each for content creation opportunities and interviews.

The Daily Mail reported that Messi broke that rule after the draw against Nashville by not speaking to reporters after the match, despite a request being put in for the Argentinian to do so.

But in a statement to The Athletic, an MLS spokesperson confirmed that there has been a 'misunderstanding' over Messi's media access, and that he has not violated any league rules in that regard.

It is claimed that Messi and his representation have their own arrangement with the league and Inter Miami, though the full details of this arrangement remain unclear, with a source claiming that the arrangement is a 'work in progress'.

The forward did, however, conduct an interview with Apple TV, via a translator, after his debut against Cruz Azul last month, indicating that he may well take up media duties in future when it is deemed suitable to do so.

SPORTbible has contacted Inter Miami for comment.