News Summary
Major League Soccer has suspended Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba from Inter Miami for one match due to their absence from the MLS All-Star Game. The league enforces a policy that penalizes players who skip the event without medical approval. While Messi was resting from fatigue, Alba dealt with a minor injury. The suspension affects their upcoming match against FC Cincinnati. The league is reviewing its policies surrounding All-Star participation, aiming to better accommodate player health while maintaining event integrity.
Austin, Texas – Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba Suspended by MLS for Missing All-Star Game
Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced that Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba of Inter Miami will be suspended for one game following their absence from the MLS All-Star Game, held Wednesday night in Austin, Texas. This decision comes amidst a review of league policies regarding All-Star participation and aims to enforce existing rules on player conduct.
Details of the Suspension
The league’s rules specify that players who do not attend the All-Star Game without prior medical approval are subject to a one-match suspension. Both Messi and Alba were selected to participate—based on votes from fans and media—but chose not to attend the event. As a result, they will miss Inter Miami’s upcoming match against FC Cincinnati scheduled for Saturday, July 26.
In a formal statement, MLS confirmed that Messi and Alba are ineligible for the next game due to their failure to participate in the All-Star Game, highlighting the league’s commitment to uphold its policies. Despite their absence during the event, both players had trained with the team prior to the suspension announcement.
Reasons Behind Players’ Absence
The absence of Messi and Alba was attributed to different reasons. Messi was resting due to fatigue from a busy schedule involving numerous matches and tournaments, while Alba was dealing with a minor injury. The congested fixture list for Inter Miami has contributed to the decision to manage player workload carefully.
League and Club Response
MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged Messi’s significant impact on the league, describing his contributions as unmatched and emphasizing his dedication to MLS and Inter Miami. Garber noted that the suspension decision was a difficult but necessary step to enforce league policies consistently. He also indicated that the league would review its current guidelines regarding All-Star Game participation and explore potential future modifications to better accommodate player rest and scheduling concerns.
Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, highlighted challenges related to the team’s congested schedule. The team has played four of their last five matches away from home and has been competing in multiple tournaments, making adequate rest and recovery critical. Mascherano emphasized the need for better planning in scheduling All-Star events to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Precedent and Past Incidents
The suspension of Messi and Alba echoes a previous event in MLS history, when Zlatan Ibrahimović was suspended in 2018 for skipping the league’s All-Star Game. Such incidents highlight ongoing discussions within MLS about balancing player workload, event scheduling, and league policies.
Implications for Inter Miami and MLS
Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami extends through the end of the 2025 season, with ongoing negotiations about an extension. The league’s decision to suspend Messi and Alba underscores its stance on policy enforcement, even for its most high-profile players.
Additionally, MLS recently promoted Messi through a “Player Spotlight” campaign on TikTok, which garnered record-breaking viewer engagement last season. Despite the suspension, Messi remains a central figure in MLS’s marketing and promotional efforts, underscoring the league’s recognition of his influence on American soccer.
Next Steps
The MLS has indicated that it will review the current policy surrounding All-Star Game participation, with potential revisions aimed at allowing more flexibility for player rest and injury management. This review may lead to changes in future league regulations to better accommodate players’ health and team needs while maintaining the integrity of the All-Star event.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami will prepare to compete without Messi and Alba in their upcoming match, with FC Cincinnati’s coach expressing that his team played without expecting to face these players, indicating the impact of their absence on team strategies.
Final Note
The suspension marks a significant moment in MLS policy enforcement and reflects ongoing efforts to balance league interests, player welfare, and event scheduling. As the league reviews its policies, stakeholders will be watching closely how future All-Star events and player participation are managed.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
LAFC Hosts Portland Timbers in Western Conference Clash
MLS All-Stars Triumph Over Liga MX in 2025 Match
Portland Timbers Celebrate Historic Soccer Milestone
Additional Resources
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Lionel Messi
- NBC News
- Google Search: Lionel Messi suspension
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lionel Messi
- ESPN
- Google News: Messi Alba MLS All-Star Game
- CNN
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
