MLS Decision on Messi and Alba Raises Eyebrows
The owner of Inter Miami, Jorge Mas, has reacted strongly to Major League Soccer’s ruling to keep Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba out of an upcoming match. Both players are set to miss the game against Cincinnati FC, a key match in the Eastern Conference, scheduled for Saturday.
Interestingly, Messi and Alba opted out of Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, even though they had garnered significant votes. The All-Star team from Major League Soccer ended up defeating La Liga MX’s All-Star team with a score of 3-1.
Mas criticized the league’s decision, describing it as an excessive punishment. “They just don’t get it,” he commented on Friday, adding that the decision to sit out the exhibition game directly led to the suspension.
Messi, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning team in 2022, claimed he needed rest rather than playing in the All-Star Game. Alba, on the other hand, was dealing with lingering injuries.
Mas mentioned that the decision for both players to miss the All-Star Game was ultimately a club decision. According to MLS regulations, if a player does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval, they become ineligible for the club’s next match, which is why Messi and Alba will be sidelined against Cincinnati.
Interestingly, just before the suspension announcement, both players had practiced with the team, expecting to participate in the game.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged Messi’s love for the league, stating, “I don’t think there are any players or anyone who’s done more for Major League Soccer than Messi.” He expressed understanding of Messi’s commitment to Inter Miami but also emphasized the league’s long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, stating it was a necessary but difficult choice.
Garber further mentioned that the league plans to revisit its policies, indicating a willingness to work with players on evolving the rules. Meanwhile, Mas reiterated his disagreement with both the suspension and the rule itself, pointing out that there were six MLS games just two days after the All-Star Game, questioning the fairness of such timing.
