José Antonio 'Tato' Noriega details what Jordi Alba's attack was like in Miami and the discussion with Messi

On April 3, after the first leg between Inter Miami and Rayados de Monterrey, played at Chase Stadium, the technical director of the Mexican team denounced “serious attacks” by rival players and even by Lionel Messi.

At the end of the match, the 'Tano' Ortizmentioned to the media that Lionel Messi, who did not add any minutes in the match, had gone down to the dressing rooms to rudely complain to his compatriot. Besides, Jordi Alba He would also have committed strong aggression.

However, the Argentine coach did not give any further statements because, according to him, they wanted to file a formal complaint. On the other hand, his technical assistant, also an Argentine Nico Ortiz In a leaked audio, he mentioned that Messi “had the face of the devil” and had even put his fist near his face.

Days later, the former racing He came out to apologize for the disclosure of this information and apologized to the people involved. Despite this, he did not deny the fact that he remained an enigma to fans and the press.

How were the events?

Finally, the issue was clarified by a manager of the Mexican team. In interview with ESPN, Jose Antonio Noriega, president of the club, confirmed the rumors and detailed the aggression he would have received from Jordi Alba.

According to 'Tato', the first to come to the discussion was Lionel Messi, who approached the veterinarians and scolded him with “a dialogue in which on his part was very intense and heated” in view of Concacaf delegates while he was calm.

After the world champion's claims, the episode happened with Jordi Alba who, according to the manager, had physical contact and attacked him, to which he did not react. “I felt someone grab me by the back of the neck and squeeze me, and when I turned around, it was Jordi Alba,” Noriega mentioned.

According to the manager, the events, seen by Concacaf delegates, were formally reported and were recorded in the minutes. However, after the whole altercation was over, he complained to them, saying: “Hey, we can't accept this kind of thing, how is it possible that physical contact and in a violent, defiant way, because that squeeze was to challenge me, remains without consequences?”

Finally, the Herons team was fined $15,000 as a result of these incidents. This did not make the manager happy, who mentioned that the offense was even more severe. “We do not agree with the amount, it seems to us that it has been something much more delicate, it does not even touch footballers who engaged in unethical, unsportsmanlike acts”he sentenced.

SPORTS