Just before halftime, Messi spent several minutes lying on the pitch after being tackled by Montreal’s George Campbell. Messi extended his left foot to control the pass that came his way, but Campbell’s pace took him straight to the 2022 World Cup champion.
Messi went to the sideline after being assessed by trainers. He appeared to be troubled by the two-minute wait to re-enter the game at the next stoppage point, per a new MLS rule implemented this season.