Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba have been left ‘extremely upset’ after being handed a one-match ban for missing this week’s MLS All-Star game.
The former Barcelona stars, who made the move to Florida together in the summer of 2023, had been expected to line-up for an MLS squad against Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday.
They both however missed the fixture, in which the MLS side ran out 3-1 victors, with Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano later revealing Messi was suffering with fatigue, while Alba had picked up a knock.
But their absence was not approved by the league, leaving both stars liable to sanction.
The MLS announced their one-match ban on Friday with a statement reading: ‘Inter Miami CF defender Jordi Alba and forward Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s Matchday 27 game against FC Cincinatti on Saturday evening, due to their absence at the 2025 MLS All-Star game.’
With Miami just seven points off league leaders Cincinatti, the league’s decision leaves Mascherano’s side without two of their most influential players for a crucial fixture.
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have been handed a one-match suspension by MLS officials
The duo have been sanctioned after missing Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game without telling the league
Messi and Alba have been left ‘extremely upset’ by the ban, said Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas in response to the announcement yesterday.
‘The reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision, who don’t understand why not attending an exhibition leads directly to a suspension.
‘The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it. I think that the punishment for the role is frankly draconian.
‘I’m hopeful that it doesn’t have an impact long-term. Will it have an impact initially, in the players’ perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely no doubt.’
Despite admitting ‘there’s no one who’s done more for the MLS than Messi,’ the league’s commissioner Dan Gorber said they had to ‘enforce’ the rules.
‘I know Lionel Messi loves this league,’ he said.
‘I don’t think there’s a player, or anyone, who has done for MLS than Messi. I fully understand, respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami and I respect his decision.
‘Unfortunately we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-STar Game and we had to enforce it.’
Messi was absent due to fatigue, while Alba had been suffering with a knock, Javier Mascherano revealed
The two left-footers are said to be ‘extremely upset’ over the ‘draconian’ decision
The All-Star game saw Sergio Ramos line-up for the Liga MX All-Stars in Texas
The MLS All-Star XI, which was too missing stars such as Marco Reus and Sergio Busquets, beat the Liga MX All-Stars 3-1, with former Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge on the scoresheet for the American side.
Ex-Napoli winger Hirving Lozano featured for the MLS XI, while former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos – now plying his trade at Monterrey – played for the first-half for the Mexican XI.
Messi, now 38, has taken the American league by storm since making the switch from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
In 19 appearances in his first full season, he bagged 20 goals, providing 10 assists.
While this season Messi has netted 19 goals in as many appearances, setting up a further seven.
With his contract up this summer, rumours had been swirling of the superstar possibly making a surprise exit from the MLS, though he now looks set to sign a new deal with Miami bosses ‘confident’ of securing the Argentinian’s signature.
