Messi was heckled nonstop by large groups of Club América fans among the crowd of 46,000 at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night, and there were reports that some of the derogatory chants were of the vulgar and homophobic variety that have led to sanctions against Mexican clubs and the Mexican federation in recent years.

In the past two years, Vegas has welcomed Taylor Swift and Beyonce to perform at the 65,000-seater Allegiant Stadium, as well as hosting its first Formula One race and Super Bowl LVIII. This weekend, it is the turn of Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi scored a goal and made his presence known throughout the first half as Inter Miami beat Mexican superpower Club America 3-2 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 2-2 deadlock in regulation on Saturday night.