After the final whistle, Messi left the pitch and headed down the tunnel to the locker room. As he walked away, a Vancouver Whitecaps fan held up a Portugal shirt with Ronaldo’s name and number on it, as a way to taunt a frustrated Messi. The gesture quickly drew a reaction from Messi.

Messi responded to the fan holding up Ronaldo’s shirt.

Instead of ignoring him, Messi stopped and raised his index finger behind him as if to say: “If you want to meet Ronaldo, go to Saudi Arabia.” The Argentine superstar also put his finger to his mouth to signal silence and nodded slightly as a counter-challenge.

Inter Miami are now trying to regain their composure ahead of their next MLS game against FC Dallas on April 27. However, Messi and his teammates will still be focused on the second leg of the Copa America semi-final on April 30 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

In the history of the CONCACAF Cup, only 3 American clubs have won the title, including LA Galaxy, DC United, Seattle Sounders. Messi will certainly consider the provocations from the fans as motivation to help “Las Garzas” turn the situation around and win a ticket to the final, thereby helping Inter Miami make history.