L ionel Messiwas left in complete disbelief over anti-player chants originating from the home stands during Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory against Portland Timbers at NU Stadium. The superstar forward was visibly frustrated. During live play, Messi stopped, stared directly at the supporters, and used hand gestures to demand an explanation for their behavior. Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul was also reportedly angered by the crowd’s sudden hostility despite the team leading on the scoreboard.
Who is “La Familia”?
“La Familia” is the collective umbrella organization that unites Inter Miami’s official supporter groups. Mostly comprised of Hispanic and Latin American fans, the group has deep roots in the franchise. Inter Miami officially recognizes them as a reward for their loyalty since the club’s founding in 2018.
Messi and De Paul were furious when the fans chanted against the players…
The collective is made up of five distinct major “barras” (supporter factions) that sit together behind the goal:
Vice City 1896
The Siege
Southern Legion
Nación Rosa Y Negro
IMS (Inter Miami Supporters) MMXX
Outside the stadium, the group is widely known for its community outreach, including food drives for vulnerable locals and toy donations for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Their official bylaws strictly mandate the promotion of peace, inclusion, and anti-discrimination.
Why Were They Protesting?
The incident stemmed from a pre-planned, widespread frustration regarding the roster’s general performance. To voice their discontent, the supporter groups coordinated a silent protest for the first 85 minutes of the match, leaving the stadium unusually quiet without their trademark drums, flags, or chants.
When they finally broke their silence, they did so with an aggressive traditional Latin football chant: “Jugadores, respeten a la hinchada, saluden a la gente, que nunca pide nada” (“Players, respect the fans, greet the people, we never ask for anything”).
A Divided Stadium
The chanting caused immediate friction inside the venue. A significant portion of the stadium refused to participate, leading to loud arguments and a clear ideological divide among Inter Miami fans who disagreed with targeting the players during a winning match.