Lionel Messi raises temperature on Orlando in “hot” Florida derby win

The Lions, in turn, were infuriated by what they perceived as special treatment for Messi.

“The attention that we’re getting in here, with all that is happening, it becomes a circus. Today was a circus,” said an obviously frustrated Orlando head coach Oscar Pareja, taking issue with what he called “clear simulation” by perennial Orlando torturer Josef Martínez to earn the game-changing penalty early in the second half. (Before joining Miami, Martínez regularly scored on the Lions as a member of another southern rival, Atlanta United.)

“The PK [decision] is unbelievable. It’s unbelievable,” continued Pareja. “I don’t know if the VAR came today. So if the VAR came today and we have referees there, then we have to be honest and go and see it, because the game deserves it.”

Ironically, just the day before, Martino had batted away comparisons of Orlando-Miami to the bitter FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid matchup his trio of former Barça stars know so well from their time together in La Liga, responding that “we’re years away from El Clasico.”

He’s right, of course. Spain’s biggest fixture is more than a century old, dripping with rich history and strident political and culture overtones. But the anger and angst was visceral on Wednesday night, and Miami’s stars did not waver in that crucible.

“This is an additional motivation. Yes, I expect much more of this in these matches. No doubt this is going to be the case,” said Martino. “But I know how they compete. They have been competing at the highest level for 20 years. So there is no reason to believe that even when the match is harsh and difficult and physical, they won’t be able to play.”