Lionel Messi receives yellow card on his birthday at FIFA Club World Cup

Lionel Messi experienced an unpleasant moment in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match — referee Szymon Marciniak showed him a yellow card towards the end of the first half.

The incident took place as Inter Miami faced Palmeiras in their final Group A fixture at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens — just a day before the Argentine superstar’s 38th birthday celebration.

Inter Miami had taken the lead through Tadeo Allende’s goal in the 16th minute, but attention shifted to Messi‘s yellow card received near the conclusion of the first half.