Lionel Messi gets into heated confrontation in the tunnel with rival player

Lionel Messi appeared to get into a fiery back-and-forth with an opposition player during the Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Orlando City.

As the two teams were making their way down the tunnel at half-time, Messi seemed to be exchanging verbals with one of the Orlando players.

The pair looked pretty heated but were eventually separated by their teammates.

It showed that Messi, even at 36 years of age, isn't to be messed with and still has that fire in his belly that made him arguably the greatest footballer of all-time.

The first-half ended 1-1 courtesy of a goal in the sixth minute from Messi himself followed by one from Cesar Araujo to level the scoring.

And tensions were beginning to boil over when Messi bull-dozered over Araujo while vying for possession.

Araujo seemingly retaliated by chasing down the World Cup-winner and leaving a late tackle on him after the ball had been released.

Messi didn't take too kindly to the challenge and was calling for the referee to brandish a yellow card, waving in his face after the incident.

Now footage has emerged of the scenes from the tunnel as the two teams were returning to their dressing rooms – and it was kind of ugly to say the least.

In the clip, Araujo and Messi can be seen exchanging words as their teammates crowd around them.

Whatever was said, it seemed pretty heated, although neither player made the confrontation physical.

When the video made its way onto social media, fans loved the energy shown by the little Argentinian.

One person tweeted: "MESSI IS ABSOLUTELY ON SMOKE TIME."

While another added: "We are witnessing Netherlands Messi."

As a third fan said: "Messi is absolutely locked in. This is insane."

Another chimed in, commenting: "Messi treating this like a World Cup final, I needed this."

Messi's earlier goal in the game, a well-taken volley, saw him become the player with the most combined goals/assist in the history of football, according to the Guinness World Records.

Featured Image Credit: Apple TV/Twitter/MLS

Topics: Football, Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, MLS, United States, Fan Reactions

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry