In a move that's created waves across Major League Soccer, Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have been handed a one-match suspension for missing the All-Star Game. Despite being voted into the midseason showcase that pitted MLS stars against those from Liga MX, both players were no-shows – Messi sat out supposedly to manage a tight playing schedule and Alba due to an injury, NBC Miami reported.
According to league regulations, players are required to participate in the All-Star Game or obtain prior league approval for their absence, which Messi and Alba did not secure, and as a result, they will be unavailable for Miami's upcoming home match against Eastern Conference leader FC Cincinnati. In response to the suspension, the MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the contribution Messi has made to the league, telling NBC Miami, "I don’t think there’s a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision."
This ruling isn't without precedent, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic faced a similar situation back in 2018 for skipping the All-Star Game, but the current suspension has stirred debate considering Inter Miami's grueling schedule, with the team participating in multiple competitions, potentially leading to player overload. Inter Miami's head coach, Javier Mascherano, explained his superstar player's absence, saying, "He presented fatigue that's normal with the games and minutes we have played," Mascherano said during media availability, per an interview obtained by CBS Sports.
As for the All-Star Game, it's a tradition unique to American sports, and their place in soccer, where such exhibitions don't usually occur during a regular-season, continues to be questioned, with past and present players highlighting the disconnect between MLS policies and the realities of the sport. Garber conceded that changes might be necessary, stating to CBS Sports, "We are going to take a very hard look at the rule moving forward. 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."
