Former Major League Soccer (MLS) star Alan Gordon has accused Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi of threatening the future of Seattle Sounders winger Pedro de la Vega.
Messi cut a frustrated figure in the Leagues Cup clash against Seattle Sounders on Sunday. With Messi neutralised, the Herons suffered a 3-0 defeat to Seattle.
Despite their heavy defeat, Inter Miami are 5/1 favourites with UK betting sites to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Inter Miami Lose the Plot in Seattle Sounders Defeat
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were the overwhelming favourites to beat Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final. The Sounders, however, flipped the script, taking control of the game from the first quarter.
They pulled ahead with a goal from Osaze De Rosario in the 26th minute, before Alex Roldan (penalty; 84′) and Paul Rothrock (89′) put the game to bed. Seattle did not have much of the ball, but they finished the game with six shots on target. Miami, meanwhile, dominated possession, but none of their nine shots landed on target.
The End. https://t.co/ZOMdNMnjn7 pic.twitter.com/o6n5orX85L
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 1, 2025
After the final whistle, a full-out fight broke out between the two teams. Luis Suarez was at the heart of it all and appeared to spit at a Seattle Sounders staff member. While Inter Miami wait to find out whether their striker will get punished, another accusation has been hurled at them.
Gordon Claims Messi Threatened De la Vega’s Argentina Career
Speaking on the Major League Journeyman podcast, Alan Gordon has claimed Lionel Messi threatened Pedro de la Vega during the Leagues Cup final. The pair were involved in a scuffle during the match, where Messi supposedly threatened to deny him any playtime for Argentina.
[Retired MLS veteran Alan Gordon on Major League Journeyman podcast]: “Messi told (Seattle winger Pedro de la Vega) to his face: ‘You’ll never play for the national team as long as I am involved.’”
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Gordon said:
“Messi told him, [to hosts] you remember when they got into that little scuffle during the game? Messi looked him straight in the face and said: ‘You’ll never play for the national team as long as I’m involved.’ He basically blackballed him right there on the pitch.
“To me, that’s disgusting. The way they’re acting is disgusting. Like Dax said, they’re the villains now. And honestly, it’s gross to watch. I want them to lose every single time I see them play. It’s just really sad to watch.”
De la Vega, 24, represents Argentina U23. He has scored one goal in two appearances for them. De la Vega is still waiting to get his first senior-team call-up. For Seattle Sounders, he has played 57 games in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists.
