Messi angers Mexican fans with goal celebration in Las Vegas. Here’s what happened

Days after Lionel Messi scored Inter Miami’s first goal of the preseason in Las Vegas against Mexican champion Club America, it was his controversial celebration that still had fans around the world buzzing.

Messi was heckled nonstop by large groups of Club América fans among the crowd of 46,000 at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night, and there were reports that some of the derogatory chants were of the vulgar and homophobic variety that have led to sanctions against Mexican clubs and the Mexican federation in recent years.

Messi apparently took note and retaliated.

When the Argentine icon scored in the 34th minute to tie the score, he faced the América crowd, pointed to his name on the back of his shirt, then pointed to his chest and put three fingers up in the air, then proceeded to point toward the fans and made a zero with his hand.

His message was abundantly clear: Argentina three World Cup trophies, Mexico none.

The rivalry between the countries has been heated. Messi and Argentina beat Mexico in three of the past five World Cups, and Messi is viewed as a thorn in Mexico’s side by some fans. Also, Argentina beat Mexico 3-0 in the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela. Messi was 20 years old at the time and scored in that game.

Messi’s post-goal gesture on Saturday night went viral on social media.

“I haven’t spoken to Leo and have not given it much importance; we have more important things to be concerned about,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Tuesday, when asked about Messi’s celebration.

Mascherano then smiled and continued: “Obviously, I have had to play against Mexican teams and against the Mexican national team, we know that they tend to be hostile towards us Argentines, and I think that after the World Cup that wound is still open.”

Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista, a retired Mexican player, wrote to Messi on Instagram: “I admired you as a player. But making fun of my country speaks of your lack of professionalism and education.”

It wasn’t the first time Messi found himself taunted by Mexican fans. Last April, fans of Mexican club Monterrey chanted “Ronaldo! Ronaldo” when Messi played and even stomped on Messi’s jersey when Inter Miami played Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Messi was involved in a hallway dispute with Monterrey coaches after the first leg of the series.

Teen Santi Morales comments on game-winning PK

Messi shared headlines with teenager Santi Morales after the game in Las Vegas.

Morales, the 17-year-old son of Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales, converted the game-clinching penalty kick in his first-team debut to seal the 3-2 win. He was mobbed by jubilant teammates, including Messi. Morales came up through the youth academy.

“Obviously, a lot of adrenaline,” Morales said. “When you’re walking up to the ball, you feel nervous. Butterflies in your stomach. But as you get to the ball, you try to be calm and confident about how you’re going to take the penalty and that’s what I tried to do.”

His embrace with his father afterward was caught on camera.

“It was obviously very emotional,” Morales said. “Being able to share that moment with him was really special.”

Mascherano pleased with defense

Noah Allen’s versatility makes him valuable, Mascherano said, and the coach was pleased, in general, with the performance of the defenders. “In general, the back line played high, which is what we worked on during the 10 days before the first game,” he said. “I think we will be much improved in that area, defending out of the block.”

Also, don’t expect to see Sergio Busquets drop to center back, as he did last season.

“My idea is for Busi to play as little as possible [in the back line],” Mascherano said. “If at some point, we need him, he will do it because he has experience playing back there. But the plan is to use him as a midfielder”

Injury report

Drake Callender, who strained an unspecified muscle while with the U.S. national team, is still not ready to return to training, Mascherano said. Although the injury is not serious, Mascherano said they are being cautious and don’t want to take any risks. In the meantime, the available keepers are Argentine American Rocco Rios Novo, who signed last week after spending the past few years with a USL team in Phoenix and Argentine 38-year-old Oscar Ustari, signed a contract extension last week and finalized his visa paperwork on Tuesday.

Messi, Inter Miami Upcoming schedule

The team was off Sunday and Monday and returned to training Tuesday to prepare for the Americas tour with matches in Peru, Panama and Honduras.

Jan. 29 (8 p.m. ET) | Club Universitario de Deportes | Estadio Monumental | Lima, Peru

Feb. 2 (5 p.m. ET) | Sporting San Miguelito | Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez | Panama City, Panama

Feb. 8 (8 p.m. ET) | Club Deportivo Olimpia | Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano | San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Feb. 14 (7:30 p.m. ET) | Orlando City SC | Raymond James Stadium | Tampa.