Lionel Messi gives iconic response after Mexican fans taunt him with homophobic slur

Lionel Messi’s club coach defended him after he made a gesture towards Mexican fans who were chanting his name alongside a homophobic slur.

During Inter Miami’s first preseason game against Club America at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Messi played in front of 46,000 spectators.

According to ‘Out Sports’, after Messi scored in the first half, numerous rival fans chanted “Puto Messi,” an anti-gay insult aimed at Messi, who has been a significant adversary for Mexico’s national team for many years.

The rivalry dates back to 2007, when a 20-year-old Messi scored in Argentina’s 3-0 Copa America semifinal victory over Mexico in Venezuela.

More recently, Argentina has defeated Mexico in three of the last five FIFA World Cups, including a group stage match at Qatar 2022, eventually leading Messi and his team to win the trophy.

Videos from the stadium posted on social media showed Club America fans clearly using the “puto” slur.

Despite efforts to eradicate the discriminatory term through campaigns and sanctions from FIFA and other governing bodies, it remains an issue in Mexican football. In reaction to the persistent homophobic taunts, Messi turned to the source of the chants, held up three fingers—believed to denote Argentina's three World Cup wins compared to Mexico’s none—and made a lewd gesture with a smile.

A clip of the 37-year-old Inter captain's response went viral and was even celebrated as a GIF by the official MLS account on X. However, he faced criticism from certain Mexican commentators, including former international Adolfo Bautista, who criticised Messi's professionalism on Instagram.

Asked about Messi’s conduct, Inter’s head coach Javier Mascherano, his former Argentine teammate, remarked: “I haven’t talked to Leo and don’t find it very significant; we have more pressing matters at hand.

“Having played against Mexican teams, we’re aware of the hostility they show towards Argentines, particularly after the World Cup.”

The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Inter Miami winning 3-2 on penalties.

The “puto” chant was repeatedly used by El Tri fans last year, drawing more scrutiny as next year's FIFA World Cup in North and Central America looms.

Instances occurred during Mexico’s Copa America warm-up matches and tournament games in the U.S.A., where warnings were displayed on big screens and announced over P.A. systems, yet the slur persisted.

In October in Guadalajara, during a friendly where Mexico beat the USMNT 2-0, the anti-gay chant was heard minutes after kick-off.

Rafael Villanueva, director of LGBTQ+ inclusion at DIDESEX, expressed concern about the presence of homophobia in Mexican stadiums in 2026, stating: “Will homophobia be present inside Mexico’s stadiums in 2026? Currently, it seems likely.”

Messi is expected to face Mexican fans again soon, with Inter Miami participating in the CONCACAF Champions Cup from February to June, followed by the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July.