Lionel Messi tackled to the ground by pitch invader during Inter Miami match

Argentina captain Lionel Messi was hauled to the ground by a pitch invader during Inter Miami’s friendly win against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.

Messi, who was brought on as a half-time substitute, was wrestled to the turf by a spectator with two minutes remaining of normal time.

Several fans had already invaded the pitch in order to get close to Messi, who was taking a selfie with one when another grabbed the former Barcelona playmaker around his waist.

Security were quickly on the scene, with Messi, the fan and one security guard hitting the ground in a clinch.

Messi appeared unharmed and made his way over to the other side of the pitch as security reinforcements arrived.

He netted from the penalty spot in the 2-1 win, with Santiago Morales scoring Miami’s other goal.

The match had originally been scheduled for 13 February but was cancelled because Messi was struggling with a hamstring injury.

Miami, who are co-owned by David Beckham, started their Major League Soccer (MLS) season with a 3-0 defeat by LAFC last weekend.

They face a trip to state rivals Orlando City on Sunday.