The USMNT icon was critical of the Argentine’s post-match confrontation with referee Tim Ford in Inter Miami's mid-week 3-3 draw

Lalas condemns Messi's approach toward refereePraises Bruce Arena's interventionSupported the referee's no-nonsense approachGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

After the final whistle of a 3-3 draw between San Jose Earthquakes and Inter Miami, Lionel Messi aggressively approached referee Tim Ford to voice his displeasure over several contentious decisions during the match.

As the Argentine superstar advanced toward the official with visible frustration, San Jose coach Bruce Arena intervened by pulling Messi away from the confrontation. Former USMNT star Lalas praised Arena for doing so, and also criticized Messi for his reaction after the game.

“Yeah, the postgame shenanigans, I thought Bruce Arena handled it well,” Lalas said on his podcast. “I mean, he is the home coach. It is his stadium. Obviously, he's a legend when it comes to MLS and pulling Messi. I thought it was a bad look for Messi, to be quite honest with you. I get that you're frustrated, but you signed up for the gig. You're being paid more than anybody in history in terms of, you know, what you are getting for your brand."

Lalas stressed that Messi should be more adept at handling his situation, considering he has been in MLS for a few seasons.

“And while Inter Miami is a good team – and at times can be a great team, and even going forward can be a great team – you're going to get frustrated because you're not playing on the best team with all of the best players, which is what you have done for most of your career," he said. "Now you're a couple of years into your MLS stay, so you should already understand what MLS is and what MLS isn't."

AdvertisementWHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID

The former USMNT defender also praised the referee for the way he officiated the match.

“And I loved the way that game was refereed last night," he said. "I loved that at times the referee was saying No, you get up. I don't care that you're Messi. You have plenty of deference. You are given the benefit of the doubt. I'm talking to Messi time and time again on the field. All right, so every once in a while, no, you're not going to be given that, given the opportunity to take a free kick, you know, get up and get on with it.

"There's a reason why you are, for a lot of people, the GOAT, because of what you were able to do. But it's just, it's just a bad look. There are times when I like a little bit of fire, and I like anger, and that can be useful. I just thought it made you look smaller and made you look whiny, and it made you look like a bully.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi's arrival has brought unprecedented attention to the league, but also highlighted cultural differences in how the game is officiated across different regions.

Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Following the 3-3 draw, Inter Miami remain in fifth on the Eastern Conference with 22 points after 12 league games played. The Herons play Orlando Sunday night, then take on the Philadelphia Union on the road on May 24.