The world of MLS increasingly revolves around isolated situations and seeks answers to circumstances that, from the perspective of fans or the media, are not understood.
One of the big questions that emerges concerns the movements and comments of Lionel Messi, a soccer star and captain of Inter Miami.
Recently, Inter Miami suffered a 4-3 defeat to Orlando City in the Florida derby, after starting the match 2-0.
What was interesting was that after this negative result for the Garzas, Lionel Messi did not fulfill his media duties and was not present to answer questions from the press as he usually does.
In the press conference they hold after each training session, Ángel Guillermo Hoyos clarified and defended the Argentine star and Inter Miami's leaders for their absence from the post-match press conference.
Inter Miami Coach Explains Why Lionel Messi Skipped Media Duties After Orlando Match
The issue with Messi and losing is separate from who he is as a professional. It is public knowledge that the number 10 of the Argentina national football team does not like losing at anything, and he gets very frustrated when that happens.
So, the episode that the entire press witnessed was unusual, but according to the coach, understandable.
“There are moments when you have to keep silent, and you have to go much deeper into what was experienced. I think what (the leaders) did was very prudent and respectful.”
Adding, “To avoid saying things you should not say. Many times, in that scenario of defeat, you grow much more. Because many of us make mistakes when we are angry or upset due to a loss, and we can say things that are not correct.”
In his history, the veterans of the Garzas didn't missed press conferences when they had been called to speak about a match.
It is very rare for leaders not to answer the call from the press when they are summoned, but after such a tough defeat like a derby, it can happen that, in the anger of the moment, someone says things that could harm them in the long term.
“That’s why I made the analysis, that there is much more respect toward football and the press,” ended Guillermo Hoyos.
It must also be understood that the coach defends his captain because of who he is as a player and the career he has had; the press would not make such a scandal if it were a young player.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
