Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have been handed one-match suspensions by MLS for missing this week’s All-Star Game without prior league consent. The duo will sit out Miami’s critical Saturday encounter against FC Cincinnati (18:30 ET), per a league statement released Friday.
"The All-Star Game participation is mandatory unless specifically approved by MLS," the statement read. Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the difficulty of penalizing Messi, stating: "Lionel’s contributions to this league are unparalleled. However, upholding competition standards requires consistent application of rules."
Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient, has netted 18 goals in 18 MLS outings this season, while Alba has appeared in 19 league matches. Both were omitted from Wednesday’s 3-1 MLS victory over Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas. The decision comes amid Miami’s packed August schedule – following their Club World Cup quarter-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain, the team has contested five games in seven days, with Messi scoring eight times in that span.
Head coach Javier Mascherano previously cited "exhaustion from relentless match schedules" when explaining Messi’s absence, though league protocols mandate explicit permission for such absences. The suspensions highlight ongoing tensions between player commitments and league promotional events, particularly as Messi continues his historic scoring run in MLS.
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