Texas: Major League Soccer (MLS) has handed one-match suspensions to Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for missing the league’s All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night. The decision means both players will be unavailable for Saturday's fixture against FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium.
The league’s policy mandates that players selected for the All-Star Game who fail to attend without medical clearance are automatically barred from participating in their club’s next match. Though Messi and Alba had been selected by fans and media for the All-Star roster, MLS announced on the day of the event that the duo would not feature.
"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," the league said in a statement. "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."
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, while expressing disappointment over the players’ absence, acknowledged Messi’s contributions to the league.
"I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don't think there's a player, or anyone who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi," said Garber. "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. It was a very difficult decision. That said, we're going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I'm committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve."
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano addressed the situation during Friday’s training session, noting that both Messi and Alba had only just returned to training after missing several days. He defended their absence, citing fatigue and the demanding schedule the team has endured.
“Messi showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing,” said Mascherano. “Players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. But luckily, he is returning today.”
He clarified that Messi is not injured, though Alba had picked up a knock during the team’s previous match against the New York Red Bulls on July 19.
Mascherano also criticised the scheduling of the All-Star Game, suggesting it should not be slotted between competitive tournaments when players are already overloaded. "If they want to do this type of event, it's great. It’s great for the league. But there shouldn’t be a date like that in the middle of the schedule, it’s crazy,” he said.
“We’ve played four of the last five games away. Practically every three days. If you want to hold the All-Star Game, do it on a weekend. Stop for the weekend, play the game, and then resume. Football belongs to the players, without them, it doesn’t exist.”
Since February, Inter Miami has been balancing a packed calendar, competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the MLS regular season, the Club World Cup, and soon the 2025 Leagues Cup. Mascherano highlighted that his team has played the most matches of any MLS club so far this season.
“We’re the MLS team that’s played the most games so far this semester, by far,” he said, underlining his concerns about player fatigue and the physical toll of the schedule.