Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Más, expressed disagreement with MLS’s recent decision to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for one game after they missed the 2025 MLS All-Star Game. “It’s a bad rule, but it is still a rule,” Más commented to reporters via Franco Panizo.
Messi, 38, and Alba, 36, were both selected for the All-Star Game but did not participate in the event held in Austin, Texas, earlier this week. As reported by ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano, discussions took place between league officials and Inter Miami representatives regarding the availability of both players for Saturday’s match.
MLS regulations stipulate that players who miss the All-Star game without league approval face penalties. As a result, the league announced on Friday that both players would be “unavailable” for their upcoming match against FC Cincinnati.
This policy was implemented after former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic faced a one-game suspension for missing the 2018 All-Star game against Juventus.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league, and no one has contributed more to Major League Soccer than he has,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. “I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami and respect his decision.”
“Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to uphold it. It was a challenging decision, and we are considering reviewing the policy moving forward.”
Más indicated that the decision to keep Messi and Alba from attending the All-Star Game was made by the club, and he hopes MLS will reconsider similar rules in the future.
“Honestly, the punishment for this rule seems extreme,” Más stated. “We need to revisit these regulations.”
Messi and Alba Displeased by Suspension
According to Más, both Messi and Alba were unhappy to learn they would not be able to play in the crucial match against Cincinnati. “Their reaction was predictable—it wasn’t positive,” he said. “They want to play and compete, and they don’t understand the reasoning behind the decision or why missing exhibition matches warrants a suspension.”
Inter Miami has had a packed schedule, with their last three league games (two wins and one loss) played over the past week, along with nine FIFA Club World Cup matches since June 14th.
Messi has played 90 minutes in each of Inter Miami’s last nine games, while Alba, who completed 90 minutes in five matches, sustained an injury against the New York Red Bulls but played until the 84th minute.
Head coach Javier Mascherano expressed hope that the league would consider the need for player rest in future scheduling decisions.
“While hosting events like the All-Star Game is fantastic for the league, the schedule does not accommodate player welfare. We’re playing many games in quick succession, leaving little time for recovery.”
“The All-Star Game falls on a weekend, and then there’s an immediate turnaround for another match. We must prioritize player health in these circumstances.”
Más echoed Mascherano’s sentiment about the necessity for players to have adequate rest, remarking that there will be six MLS matches scheduled two days after the All-Star Game.
“This situation is not acceptable for the players,” Más concluded.
As of now, Inter Miami has a record of 12-4-5, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference after 21 matches.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the challenges of player welfare within tightly packed schedules. The decisions made by leagues impact not just star players like Messi and Alba, but also the overall health and longevity of the sport in attracting its best talents.
