AUSTIN, Texas – Major League Soccer suspended Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for one match for missing the All-Star Game on Wednesday. The league’s rules mandate participation for selected and healthy players unless granted prior league approval. Inter Miami announced their absence on the day of the match.
Messi and Alba will miss their next match due to missing the MLS All-Star Game.
League Strikers Face Suspension
MLS confirmed the suspensions, stating, “Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game. 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.”
This isn’t the first time a prominent player has faced a similar penalty. Zlatan Ibrahimović was suspended for the Los Angeles Galaxy after missing the 2018 All-Star Game. The timing is particularly critical for Inter Miami, as they are set to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday, having lost to them 3-0 before the break.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano indicated on Friday that Alba had a minor injury, but Messi was healthy and was being managed for load concerns. Mascherano expected Messi to be available, noting his return to training the day before their Cincinnati match.
Mascherano Weighs In on Player Fatigue
“He presented fatigue that’s normal with the games and minutes we have played,” Mascherano stated. He highlighted Inter Miami’s demanding schedule, including participation in the Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup.
The team has played more matches than most in MLS, being the only MLS club to advance from the group stage in their tournaments. “It’s case by case and we have our arguments,” Mascherano added. “We’re the MLS team that’s played the most this year — by far.”
All-Star Game Policy and Player Absences
Messi also missed last season’s MLS All-Star Game due to injury. League policy dictates that players missing the event without a confirmed injury or league approval can face a one-match suspension. MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the demanding schedule for Messi, stating he played nine matches in 30 days.
“Miami’s had a schedule that is unlike any other team,” Garber said. “Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t. We had Leo playing 90 minutes in almost all the games that he’s played… We have to manage through that as a league. The same time, we do have rules and we have to manage through that as well.”
Garber expressed a desire for player presence, stating, “We would have loved to have Leo here. We’d have loved to have every player who was selected for the all-star team here.” He also admitted that communication could have been better: “We should’ve known earlier, we should’ve addressed it earlier. No doubt about that.”
What’s the core issue with the MLS All-Star Game? The league faces a challenge balancing commercial appeal with player rest, as exhibition games like the All-Star Game are often viewed as optional globally, unlike in the U.S.
MLS Faces Scheduling Dilemma
This situation underscores the league’s divergence from global soccer norms. While All-Star games are a unique American tradition, they are often treated as non-essential, with players frequently opting out for personal reasons. Major exhibition matches during the regular season are uncommon in the rest of the world.
This sentiment was echoed by Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2018 when he commented on his suspension: “I think it is ridiculous, but yeah, no comments. They do whatever they want. I come from a different world, I come from the real world.”
Garber’s comments suggest a potential shift in policy, indicating a willingness to re-evaluate the rules. “We are going to take a very hard look at the rule moving forward,” Garber stated. “It is important to all of our players and all of our fans that we have a policy that reflects and involves the realities of our league and its players going forward.”
He further committed to working with players, including Messi, to adapt the rule. The league is also considering aligning its schedule with European leagues, providing an opportunity to reassess the All-Star Game format. Finding a balance between commercial interests and player well-being is crucial for the league’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
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