Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will miss Saturday’s clash against FC Cincinnati after Major League Soccer handed both a one-game suspension for skipping the 2024 MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas.
MLS cited its long-standing rule that requires All-Star selections to participate unless excused for medical reasons. Neither Messi nor Alba received league approval for their absence.
“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,” MLS stated. “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.”
Mascherano Criticizes Fixture Congestion
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano expressed concern about the All-Star Game’s timing amid a demanding season. The team has been competing across multiple tournaments, including the Concacaf Champions Cup and Club World Cup, with limited recovery time. “Well, Messi showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing,” Mascherano noted.
“Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. But luckily, he is returning today.”
Mascherano emphasized that Messi is not injured, while Alba had a knock from the July 19 match against the New York Red Bulls. Both players resumed training on Friday, ahead of the Cincinnati game.
“What I think is that if they want to do this type of event, it’s great to do it, and the truth is that it’s great for the league. There shouldn’t be a date in the schedule. It’s crazy. We’ve been playing four of the last five games away. We’ve been playing practically every three days,” Mascherano said.
“Stop for the weekend, the All-Star Games [get] played on the weekend, and we come back… the first thing we have to think about is that football belongs to the players. And if football belongs to the players, without players, it doesn’t exist.”
Commissioner Responds to Criticism
MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the contributions Messi has made to the league but stood firm on enforcing policy. “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.
“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.”
Mascherano also pointed out Inter Miami’s workload: “We’re the MLS team that’s played the most games so far this semester, by far.”
The suspension of Messi and Alba has reignited debates over player welfare and scheduling within MLS. Fans and pundits alike await to see if the league will amend the All-Star participation rule in the near future.
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