Lionel Messi has expressed frustration with Major League Soccer (MLS) officiating after Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Orlando City on Sunday, claiming the referee admitted to not understanding a basic rule of the game.

The Argentine superstar specifically highlighted a controversial moment involving a back-pass that eventually led to one of Orlando's goals at Chase Stadium.

"All they could do was play long balls," Messi told Apple TV+ in his post-match interview. "Then there was a strange play in which one of their players passed the ball back to the goalkeeper. The referee told me he didn't know the rule, that he didn't understand it. From that play came a long ball and their goal."

Orlando City dominated the match with Luis Muriel opening the scoring just two minutes before half-time. Marco Palasic doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half, before Dagur Dan Porhallsson sealed the victory with a third goal in added time.

While acknowledging the defeat, Messi called for improvements in MLS officiating standards. "I think MLS needs to take a closer look at the officiating," the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner stated, adding that referee errors are becoming a recurring issue in the league.

The defeat marks a significant setback for Inter Miami, who have been inconsistent in their performances despite boasting one of the most decorated players in football history.

This incident adds to ongoing debates about officiating standards in the MLS as the league continues its efforts to raise its profile on the global football stage.