Pedro Santos of DC United has drawn criticism for his interactions with Lionel Messi during their Saturday night 1-0 loss to Inter Miami.

At Chase Stadium, Miami pulled off a thrilling victory over DC, as Leonardo Campana’s incredible goal in the 94th minute condemned the visitors to their fifth defeat of the year.

Santos made the most of being in the presence of an all-time great as he headed back to the locker room, despite that devastating end to United’s game.

The Portuguese left defender is seen in a contentious social media video requesting Messi’s jersey in the tunnel following the match, then hoisting the shirt high in the air while taking a picture with him.

Online reactions to his antics have been mixed. Some supporters have taken exception at Santos for showing off his admiration for the Argentina captain so soon after DC’s defeat.

DC United’s Pedro Santos has come under fire over his interaction with Lionel Messi after their 1-0 defeat to Inter Miami

When will this end? Your team just lost…. pic.twitter.com/XKdTvRdYDH

— MLS Moves (@MLSMoves) May 19, 2024

Some fans have taken aim at Santos for asking for Messi’s short moments after United’s loss

One wrote alongside the video: ‘When will this end? Your team just lost….’

Another user replied: ‘This is embarrassing. Messi didn’t even ask for his jersey. When you see there is a genuine exchange, Messi takes their jersey.’

While a third commented: ‘If the opposition treated him as they should Miami would lose a lot more games.’

However, not all users on the platform were critical of Santos for getting Messi’s shirt. Others were quick to insist that the tradition is a longstanding one in soccer across the globe, and that the DC defender was acting as anyone else would.

‘It’s Messi…’ said one.

Another argued: ‘Is it shameless? Sure. But how many opportunities does any player have to play against and possibly get the jersey of the best player ever? Especially mid level players. They’re capitalizing’.

A third pointed out: ‘Shirt swap is a part of football, it will never end yes the team lost but to meet Messi and swap shirts with the greatest player in football history is a bigger honor’.

But other users on X stuck up for the Portuguese defender and insisted his actions were fine

Leonardo Campana’s 94th-minutes strike condemned DC to their fifth defeat of the season

‘Are they only supposed to swap when they tie?’ asked another.

While one said to the original question: ‘It will end when Messi retires.’

Messi, who was selected for Argentina’s pre-Copa America squad on Monday, has scored 12 goals in 13 games for Miami this term.

Tata Martino’s men currently sit top of the Eastern Conference on 31 points, with DC down in ninth on 17.