Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will be noticeably absent when Inter Miami take on FC Cincinnati this Saturday, and it’s not because of injury alone.
Major League Soccer confirmed on Friday that both stars have been handed one-match suspensions after failing to appear at this year’s All-Star Game, a decision that has stirred both confusion and debate.
Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba land in trouble with the MLS
In an official statement, the league explained the punishment, citing a long-standing rule:
“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.”
The announcement came just hours after Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano had told reporters he was optimistic about both Messi and Alba featuring in the upcoming game.
According to Mascherano, who played for West Ham United and Liverpool during his playing career, Messi was managing fatigue while Alba was nursing a minor knock picked up in their recent clash against the New York Red Bulls.
“Players always carry a bit of discomfort, especially when you’re playing every three days,” the former Argentina international said, as quoted by Goal. “But he [Messi] is back today, and we’ll see if he can train with the group. Hopefully, we’ll have both available. So far, we haven’t been notified of any suspension.”
That optimism was short-lived.
Is this the first time a player is suspended for missing an All-Star game?
No. The league’s decision echoes a similar situation from 2018, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then with LA Galaxy, also received a one-game ban for skipping the All-Star festivities without clearance.
What’s added fuel to the fire this time is the lack of clarity. MLS didn’t make it public that Messi and Alba would miss the All-Star Game until Wednesday, when the final roster was revealed, offering no explanation at the time.
That silence left fans puzzled, and the suspension announcement two days later only deepened the uncertainty.
Messi, Jordi Alba set to miss FC Cincinnati clash
While it’s clear MLS wants to uphold the prestige of its midseason showcase, benching its biggest star, arguably the league’s most marketable figure, might not sit well with everyone, especially with fans who hoped to see him in action this weekend.
For now, Inter Miami must face Cincinnati without two of their most experienced campaigners, as the fallout from All-Star week lingers on.