Inter Miami players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not participate in the MLS All-Star Game, which was announced on Wednesday. The All-Star team is set to compete against a squad from Mexico’s La Liga MX in Austin, Texas, but Messi and Alba were notably absent from the final roster.
Messi’s absence stems from an ankle injury, which he sustained while representing Argentina in the Copa America. This week, speculation grew about their participation, especially since both players missed Monday’s training session.
During the 2024 season, Messi, who is 38, played every minute of Inter Miami’s last 19 games, contributing to the team’s impressive 12-4-5 record and currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, expressed a desire for his star players to rest, emphasizing, "I want the players to be called and rested, but that’s not my decision."
Both Messi and Alba were part of Inter Miami’s lineup in their recent 5-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls, with Alba scoring the first goal and Messi netting two in the second half.
According to MLS regulations, players who withdraw from the All-Star Game without valid medical reasons may face a one-game suspension. Discussions are set to take place between league officials and Inter Miami representatives to determine if Messi and Alba will be eligible for their next game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. This situation is reminiscent of former LA Galaxy player Zlatan Ibrahimović, who faced a suspension after skipping the 2018 All-Star Game against Juventus.
There has yet to be a definitive decision on the statuses of Messi and Alba, both of whom were fan and media favorites for the upcoming 2025 All-Star Game. A league spokesperson mentioned, "The league offices need to talk to the club before checking the availability of players on Saturday."
Fan Take: The absence of Messi and Alba from the All-Star Game raises concerns for fans about player health and the integrity of the event. Their participation could elevate the match’s excitement level, highlighting the need for star players to engage in these defining moments of the MLS season.
