Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not be participating in Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati this Saturday night. They were ruled "unavailable" after missing this week’s MLS All-Star Game, as confirmed by league officials.
According to an MLS statement, “Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26th, due to their absence from this week’s All-Star Game. Players who miss the All-Star Game without prior league approval are not eligible to play in the following match.”
Both Messi and Alba were selected for the All-Star Game but did not attend the event in Austin, Texas. Discussions between league officials and Inter Miami representatives took place regarding their availability for the upcoming match.
The league implemented this policy following a precedent set by former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was suspended for a match after missing the 2018 All-Star Game against Serie A giants Juventus.
MLS commissioner Don Garber stated, "We have rules we need to adhere to. We wanted to have Leo here and were excited about all the players chosen for the All-Star team. After this All-Star Game, neither Jordi nor Messi were injured in our last game.”
Coach Javier Mascherano highlighted Inter Miami’s hectic schedule, explaining the need for rest for Messi and Alba. “If they want to participate in events like this, it’s beneficial for the league,” Mascherano said. “There’s no downtime in the schedule; we’re playing every three days, and the All-Star Game falls right between matches. The health of the players should be our top priority.”
Messi missed last year’s All-Star Game due to an ankle injury sustained while representing Argentina in the Copa America. Rumors had circulated about the possibility of both players missing this year’s event after they skipped Monday’s training session.
Following an injury-plagued 2024 season, Messi has played every minute in Inter Miami’s last 19 games, with the team now holding a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws, positioning them fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Both players participated in Inter Miami’s recent 5-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls, where Alba scored the team’s first goal and Messi netted two in the second half. They will be eligible to return on Wednesday when Inter Miami begins Phase 1 of the League Cup against Liga MX’s Atlas FC.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the challenges that star players face in balancing league commitments and special events. Messi and Alba’s absence could affect Inter Miami’s performance, emphasizing the importance of player well-being in today’s fast-paced sports environment.
