Lionel Messi’s heated exchange with Andres Cubas: What happened between the Inter Miami and Whitecaps stars?

Vancouver Whitecaps FC earned a crucial 2-0 home victory over Inter Miami in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals, moving a step closer to reaching the final. But beyond the scoreboard, much of the attention was drawn to a tense moment between Lionel Messi and Whitecaps midfielder Andres Cubas.

The incident occurred in the 28th minute. After leaving Cubas behind on a play and firing a shot that missed the target, Messi was seen turning back toward the Paraguayan midfielder, visibly frustrated and gesturing during a brief but heated exchange. Cameras caught the interaction before play resumed, showing Messi confronting Cubas as tempers began to flare.

Just minutes later, in the 31st minute, the tension escalated again as Messi clashed with Cubas while trying to recover the ball. Though contact was minimal and the Paraguayan managed to avoid a full-on collision, the moment underscored the growing frustration on the field.

That wasn’t the only flashpoint in the first half. In the 41st minute, Luis Suarez went down after taking an elbow from Tristan Blackmon near the edge of the box—a challenge that went unpunished, further fueling Inter Miami’s frustrations with the officiating.

The Whitecaps’ win at BC Place puts them in a strong position heading into the second leg for the Champions Cup on Wednesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. With a ticket to the final on the line, the return match promises to be just as intense—if not more so.

Cubas sheds light on the exchange with Messi

The exchange between Lionel Messi and Andres Cubas quickly became one of the standout moments of the first half between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps, leaving fans wondering what sparked the Argentine star’s frustration. Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Cubas explained what led to the heated interaction.

“They’re just things that happen during the match. He got upset over a foul, but it’s just the heat of the moment, when your adrenaline is running high. We all know the kind of player and competitor Messi is—he wants to be involved in every play,” Cubas stated.

Cubas emphasized that there were no lingering issues, adding: “It’s something that stays on the field, but we’re happy with the performance we were able to deliver.”