Lionel Messi, Major League Soccer’s biggest draw, will miss Inter Miami’s crucial match against Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati on Saturday after being handed a one-game suspension by the league.
The disciplinary action, announced Friday, stems from Messi and teammate Jordi Alba’s absence from Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game without prior league approval.
The league’s decision has ignited a fiery debate, with Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas vehemently criticizing the rule, labeling it “draconian” and expressing his disappointment that the club, fans, and broadcast partners will bear the brunt of the penalty.
“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” an MLS statement confirmed.
Messi, who has already netted 18 goals this season, and Alba were both included in the All-Star roster but did not feature in the exhibition match, despite not being injured.
Inter Miami’s management stated that the decision was made to prioritize the players’ rest and health during a demanding schedule.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating, “I know Lionel Messi loves this league.
I don’t think there’s a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.
Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.”
Garber also indicated that the league would review the policy going forward. “We’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve,” he added.
However, Jorge Mas did not mince words in his condemnation of the rule. “The ones that get penalized are the club, the fans, sponsors, Apple TV, and so on,” Mas told reporters during a conference call.
He revealed that both Messi and Alba were “extremely upset” by the suspensions, highlighting their professional commitment.
Mas confirmed that the club had made the decision for the players to sit out the All-Star game due to their rigorous match schedule.
He also disclosed that he had expressed Inter Miami’s strong disagreement with the league’s decision in conversations with Commissioner Garber, but was informed there was no appeals process available.
All-Star competitions are a common feature in North American sports, aimed at elevating player profiles, but are a rarity in professional soccer globally.
Messi’s suspension underscores the unique challenges and cultural differences in integrating a global superstar into the MLS framework.
His absence will undoubtedly be a significant blow for Inter Miami as they face a formidable Cincinnati side.
