Lionel Messi Tackled by Fan on Field in Video from Inter Miami Friendly in Puerto Rico

Lionel Messi was tackled to the ground by a fan who ran onto the field during Inter Miami's friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico on Thursday night.

The incident occurred late in the second half when multiple fans ran onto the pitch, leading to Messi signing one of their jerseys before another grabbed him from behind in a hug and took him to the ground.

Security was finally able to corral the fans and get them off the field, but not before the group interacted with Messi.

Technically, the fan didn't quite tackle Messi. He was hugging the Inter Miami superstar when security went to take down the fan, who was still embracing Messi, causing all three of them to go to the ground.

It didn't appear that anyone was hurt in the situation. The incident was just the latest in a string of unusual events that have plagued this Inter Miami-Independiente del Valle friendly in Puerto Rico.

The match was originally scheduled for Feb. 13, but had to be postponed by two weeks because Messi was unavailable at that time due to a hamstring strain suffered in Miami's preseason contest against Barcelona SC on Feb. 7.

Per Will Griffee of the Daily Mail, Thursday's start time was delayed by an hour because both clubs were wearing primarily black kits that made it difficult to tell them apart.

There were apparently no alternate kits for either side available because they wound up playing in the largely black uniforms.

The match eventually got going and was completed despite the multiple delays. Miami earned a 2-1 win, with Messi scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the 70th minute.

Inter Miami will begin defense of its MLS title on Saturday when it kicks off the 2026 season against Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium.