Major League Soccer has suspended Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba for one match each following their absence from Wednesday night’s All-Star Game in Austin, Texas. This announcement was made by the league on Friday afternoon.
“According to league regulations, any player who fails to participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league becomes ineligible to play in their team’s next match,” stated an MLS spokesperson, confirming the development.
MLS guidelines specify that players face a one-game suspension for not attending the All-Star Game, barring injury. The absences of Messi, who missed the 2024 All-Star game due to an injury, and Alba were announced just hours before the event.
“Yes, we should have known sooner,” Don Garber, MLS commissioner, remarked at his pregame press conference in Austin. “We ought to have handled it earlier. There’s no doubt about that.”
The decision aims to address the concerns among fans and some team officials who have suggested that Inter Miami has leeway with its own rules, due to its significance within the league’s financial structure—largely driven by Messi and his teammates. Earlier on Friday, ESPN reported that Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano had mentioned Messi would be available for Saturday’s match.
Garber offered a nuanced perspective on the Messi suspension during his press conference. “Miami had a schedule unlike any other team,” he noted. “Most of our teams enjoyed a 10-day break; Miami hasn’t. We had Leo playing 90 minutes in nearly all of the games—nine matches in 35 days.”
He later emphasized, “We do have regulations, and we must navigate through those.”
Garber mentioned in a statement on Friday that he intends to collaborate with players on possibly revising the policy surrounding the All-Star Game.
In 2018, MLS handed Zlatan Ibrahimović a one-game suspension for missing that year’s All-Star Game, a decision the former Swedish soccer star described as “ridiculous.”
All-Star Games are uncommon in global soccer, but they are a staple in North American sports leagues. “We have an All-Star Game which we consider a significant priority,” Garber stated. “How do you make that a priority for your stakeholders—beyond just your players, but also your fans and partners? … For the first time, we gathered all of our CSOs, all of our CBOs, and all of our owners. It represents a crucial mid-season break for us.”
Last year, Inter Miami set a new standard for MLS, with estimated revenue hitting $190 million, which included a small share from the league along with matchday (ticket and stadium) and commercial (sponsorships and merchandise) earnings estimated at around $90 million each. Their earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization exceeded $50 million.
In the latest Sportico valuations, Inter Miami was ranked second at $1.19 billion.
The MLS All-Stars triumphed in Wednesday’s All-Star Game against Liga MX All-Stars, winning 3-1. Inter Miami is scheduled to face Cincinnati FC at home on Saturday, July 26.
Image Source: Lionel Messi @ Instagram
