A possible conflict of interest from Lionel Messi following an image of Inter Miami’s latest trophy celebrations has been quashed.
Messi scored two goals for the club in a 3-2 win against Columbus Crew that sealed their first ever Supporters’ Shield title.
Messi extended his MLS goal tally to 17 in 2024 to help win the Supporters’ ShieldGetty
The award is given to the MLS side that have the best record in the regular season, with Inter Miami topping the Eastern Conference.
They have won 20 of their 32 matches and have 68 points to ensure their celebrations were far from quiet at full time.
In images posted on Messi’s Instagram account, he and his Inter Miami teammates are surrounding the shield in the dressing room.
Another picture shows him holding it aloft alongside managing owner Jorge Mas, with a bottle of his Mas+ sports drink in one hand.
This may have raised questions amongst eagle-eyed viewers as one of MLS’s corporate sponsors is rival drinks brand BODYARMOR.
Taking to X, Inter Miami podcast co-host Franco Panizo seemingly added to the questioning when he said: “Double-whammy [though have to imagine MLS sponsor Body Armor will not be pleased].”
However, it appears as though Messi was more than welcome to have his own brand, which is manufactured by White Claw Hard Seltzer and was launched in June, in the celebration pictures.
As reported by SPORTbible, one of their sources claimed that there is no conflict of interest regarding the bottle of Mas+.
It is said that, even though BODYARMOR are an MLS partner, clubs and players are permitted to have ‘respective category sponsors’ of their own.
Messi’s final picture on his Instagram post was of him holding the shield next to his former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
A picture of Messi in Inter Miami’s celebrations shows him holding a bottle of Mas+@leomessi Instagram
Rival brand BODYARMOR have been partnered with MLS since the 2020 seasonGetty
However, it is said that there was no conflict of interest from Messi@leomessi Instagram
The ex-Camp Nou quartet have been excellent additions to the Inter Miami squad and could help deliver the club’s first ever MLS title.
Messi has scored 17 goals and assisted a further ten in the league in 2024, with Suarez their top scorer on 18.
Inter Miami have already secured a first-place finish in the MLS Eastern Conference with two games left to play.
After facing Toronto FC and New England Revolution, they will enter the first round of the MLS Cup play-offs.
Victory will see them advance into the Eastern Conference semi-final and then final ahead of the MLS Cup 2024.
A Western Conference side will arrive as their opposition should Inter Miami make it that far, with the club arguably one of the favourites to go all the way.
